The implementation of the computer system Aleks for placement in mathematical courses at Nazarbayev university

Abstract

The ALEKS computer system, well-known on the American con- tinent as an individualized teaching tool and placement test into a series of high school and college level courses, was implemented by the Mathematics Department of Nazarbayev University, most likely as the frst experiment of this sort in the heart of Asia. This paper summarizes the results of the placement testing of several hundreds of Kazakhstani students passing from the preparatory study focused on biology, economics or engineering mathematics to the typical curriculum of science departments at the School of Science and Technology of Nazarbayev University.