Math Mentor Pathway (MMP)
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Who are we?
Your score. Your course. Your next step.
The Math Mentor Pathway helps engineering students prepare for math placement, strengthen foundational skills, and choose the right support before starting or continuing their ASU math sequence.
MMP is designed to help students understand where they are in math, what support option fits their current need, and what next step they should take.
The Math Mentor Pathway is organized into three levels of support:
- ALEKS Support
Large-group sessions designed to help students understand the ALEKS Math Placement Assessment, review score expectations, prepare for retakes, and identify next steps. - Study Group Sessions
Small-group sessions for MAT 117 and MAT 170 students who want collaborative practice, peer discussion, and structured support throughout the course. - Individualized Instruction
One-on-one support for students who need deeper, more personal guidance with math readiness, study planning, ALEKS preparation, or course-specific challenges.
Together, these branches help students move from uncertainty to a clear math support plan.
Choose Your Support Level
ASU is here to support you in timely degree completion, and getting a jump-start on math could help save you time and money down the road. We also know it is important to balance your academic goals with your personal needs and priorities during the summer. Make sure to also take time to relax, recharge, and enjoy the summer season!
| If you need… | Start with… | Best fit |
| A broad overview of ALEKS and math placement | ALEKS Support | Large-group session |
| Help understanding your score or retake plan | ALEKS Support or Individualized Instruction | Large-group or one-on-one support |
| Weekly support for MAT 117 or MAT 170 | Study Group Sessions | Small-group session |
| Collaborative practice with other students | Study Group Sessions | 10–15 student group |
| Personal help building a math plan | Individualized Instruction | One-on-one support |
| Deeper support because you feel off-track | Individualized Instruction | One-on-one support |
Branch 1: ALEKS Support
Large-group support for ALEKS preparation, score review, and retake planning
ALEKS Support is designed for students preparing for the ALEKS Math Placement Assessment, reviewing their placement score, or planning a retake.
These sessions are appropriate for a larger classroom-style format and may serve approximately 100–200 students at a time.
You will need your score from the Math Placement Assessment (MPA) system called ALEKS PPL. If you log into the ALEKS PPL system, you can find your score.
ALEKS Support can help students:
• Understand how the ALEKS Math Placement Assessment works
• Review what their score means
• Identify their target math course
• Learn how to prepare for a retake
• Review key math concepts
• Build confidence before test day
• Connect with PULSE tutoring and additional support resources
Recommended for students who:
• Have not taken ALEKS yet
• Took ALEKS and want to improve their score
• Are unsure what their score means
• Need a structured retake plan
• Want to understand how math placement affects their first semester
Branch 2: Study Group Sessions
Small-group, social, collaborative support for MAT 117 and MAT 170
Study Group Sessions are designed for students enrolled in or preparing for MAT 117 and MAT 170.
These are smaller, social, collaborative sessions with approximately 10–15 students. The goal is not to lecture or provide answers. The goal is to help students practice, explain their reasoning, compare approaches, and build stronger problem-solving habits.
Current focus:
• MAT 117: College Algebra
• MAT 170: Precalculus
Study Group Sessions can help students:
• Stay consistent in their math course
• Practice current course topics
• Work through common mistakes
• Learn with other students
• Build confidence through discussion
• Prepare for exams and major course checkpoints
Students should attend if they:
• Want structured weekly or recurring support
• Prefer learning with other students
• Need help staying accountable
• Want to improve problem-solving habits
• Are preparing for future engineering math courses
What to Expect in a Study Group:
• Warm-up problems
• Short concept review
• Collaborative problem solving
• Mistake analysis
• Peer explanation
• Exit reflection and next steps
Branch 3: Individualized Instruction
One-on-one support for deeper math readiness and planning
Individualized Instruction is designed for students who need more personal, in-depth support. This branch provides one-on-one guidance for students who may be unsure where to start, struggling with confidence, preparing for an ALEKS retake, or needing a more specific math support plan.
Individualized Instruction can help students:
• Understand their current math situation
• Build a personalized study plan
• Review difficult concepts at a deeper level
• Prepare for ALEKS with targeted support
• Identify patterns in mistakes
• Develop stronger study habits
• Connect with tutoring, advising, or other resources when appropriate
Recommended for students who:
• Feel behind or off-track
• Are unsure which support option fits them
• Need deeper help than a workshop can provide
• Want a personal plan before retaking ALEKS
• Are struggling in MAT 117 or MAT 170
• Need help building confidence and consistency
Important note: Individualized Instruction does not replace academic advising, faculty instruction, tutoring, or official placement policy. It is designed to help students understand their support options and build a realistic preparation plan.
Which Branch Is Right for Me?
| Student situation | Recommended branch |
|---|---|
| I have not taken ALEKS yet | ALEKS Support |
| I took ALEKS and want to improve my score | ALEKS Support or Individualized Instruction |
| I placed into MAT 117 | Study Group Sessions or Individualized Instruction |
| I placed into MAT 170 | Study Group Sessions |
| I want weekly math support | Study Group Sessions |
| I need personal help making a plan | Individualized Instruction |
| I am not sure what my score means | ALEKS Support or Individualized Instruction |
| I feel behind or off-track | Individualized Instruction |
| I want to prepare before Fall | Any branch depending on need |
Use Your MPA Score to Choose a Support Path
Once you know your ALEKS Math Placement Assessment score, use the guide below to identify the support option that may fit your current situation.
The degree program you have selected has an initial math course of MAT 265: Calculus I for Engineers. Based on your Math Placement Assessment score, you placed into MAT 171: Precalculus. Â
Use the summer months to complete supplemental material on your own. Then, you may retake the Math Placement Assessment and attempt to improve your score. If you improve your score to 76 or above, you may enroll in MAT 265: Calculus for Engineers instead.
Why work to improve your score? Starting in MAT 265 instead of MAT 171 would put you on track for graduating in four years.
ASU uses a Math Placement Assessment system called ALEKS PPL. If you log into the ALEKS PPL system, you can complete modules to improve your mathematical knowledge set as you further develop skills toward calculus.
After you have worked on these modules for a few weeks, retake the math placement assessment. Improving your skills by completing ALEKS PPL modules is a self-paced activity, requiring a commitment of time and focus to complete the modules.
After improving your score to 76 or above, you can enroll in MAT 265, Calculus for Engineers either by changing your schedule on MyASU or by making an appointment with your academic advisor.
The degree program you have selected has an initial math course of MAT 265: Calculus I for Engineers. Based on your Math Placement Assessment score, you placed into MAT 117: College Algebra.Â
Use the summer months to complete preparatory modules on your own to improve your mathematical knowledge set as you further develop skills toward pre-calculus or calculus. Improving your skills by completing ALEKS PPL modules is a self-paced activity, requiring a commitment of time and focus to complete the modules.
Get free tutoring from the PULSE Tutoring! While you work on the modules, you can take advantage of FREE virtual tutoring from PULSE Tutoring as you prepare to re-take the MPA.
After you have worked on these modules for a few weeks, retake the Math Placement Assessment and attempt to improve your score.
If you improve your score to 61 or above, you can enroll in MAT 171: Pre-Calculus for Engineers or MAT 170:Â Pre-Calculus instead of MAT 117.
After improving your score to 61 or above, you can change your schedule on MyASU or by make an appointment with your academic advisor.
The degree program you have selected has an initial math course of MAT 265: Calculus I for Engineers. Based on your Math Placement Assessment score, you have placed into MAT 117: College Algebra.
If you are interested in taking MAT 117: College Algebra over the summer to increase your Math Placement Assessment score and get a jump-start on your math coursework (at potentially no cost to you), please review the information below.
ASU offers MAT 117 as a virtual, self-paced course as part of the Universal Learner Courses. There is a cost of $25.00 to begin the course. Completing the coursework will build your math knowledge. Enroll now in MAT 117, College Algebra.
Successfully completing the self-paced course would prepare you to do either one of these options:
- Retake the Math Placement Assessment: improve your score to 61 or higher and register for MAT 171: Pre-Calculus for Engineers or MAT 170: Pre-Calculus for the fall semester.
and/or - Earn academic credit: The Universal Learner Course program allows you to convert your completed MAT 117 course to college credit. There are financial costs associated. However, it is not necessary for you to earn the academic credit. After completing the self-paced course, you only need to re-take the Math Placement Assessment to try to place into the higher MAT course.
and/or - Enroll in MAT 117, College Algebra, at ASU for the summer. Visit MyASU to register for the course (university tuition and fees do apply).
Improving your skills by completing MAT 117 is a self-paced activity, requiring a commitment of time and focus to complete the modules.
If you have any questions, make an appointment with your academic advisor.
The degree program you have selected has an initial math course of MAT 265: Calculus I for Engineers. Based on your Math Placement Assessment score, you have placed into MAT 117: College Algebra.
If you are interested in taking MAT 117: College Algebra over the summer to increase your Math Placement Assessment score and get a jump-start on your math coursework (at potentially no cost to you), please review the information below.
ASU offers MAT 117 as a virtual, self-paced course as part of the Universal Learner Courses. There is a cost of $25.00 to begin the course. Completing the coursework will build your math knowledge.
Earning the credit for MAT 117 would allow you to take MAT 170: Pre-Calculus for the fall semester. You are only eligible to convert the course for credit if you earn a final grade of A or B.
Enroll now in MAT 117, College Algebra.
Enroll in MAT 117, College Algebra, at ASU for the summer. Visit MyASU to register for the course (university tuition and fees do apply).
Completing MAT 117 is a self-paced activity, requiring a commitment of time and focus to complete the class.
If you have any questions, make an appointment with your academic advisor.