Taking MAT 114 College Mathematics at ASU Online?
ALEKS and Exam Help for ASU’s New Catalog Year College Mathematics Requirement
ASU MAT 114 College Mathematics Help
ALEKS and Exam Help for ASU’s New Catalog Year College Mathematics Requirement
MAT 114 is ASU’s College Mathematics course for students enrolled under the 2024 or later catalog year. It replaced MAT 142 for incoming students and covers the same core material — sets, probability, statistics, finance, and geometry — through the ALEKS adaptive platform. The course is offered in two formats: session-based through ASU’s Universal Learner Courses (ULC) in 8 or 16-week sessions, and on-demand through Earned Admission (EA) with up to one year to complete. Both formats share the same grading components but differ on calculator policy and whether the lowest unit exam is dropped. There are no late submissions in either format — everything must be completed by the official course end date.
If your degree map or course registration shows MAT 142 rather than MAT 114, you may be on a pre-2024 catalog year. See our MAT 142 help page instead. If you are unsure, check your catalog year in MyASU or ask your academic advisor.
Quick Answer
MAT 114 (College Mathematics) at ASU is a 3-credit course for students on the 2024 or later catalog year. It replaced MAT 142 and covers sets, counting, probability, statistics, finance, and geometry through ALEKS. The course runs in session-based (ULC, 8 or 16 weeks) and on-demand (EA, up to 1 year) formats. Both include five Honorlock-proctored unit exams (50 minutes, 1 attempt each, 10% each = 50% total), written problems (20%), and learning and practice assignments (30%). ULC sections drop the lowest unit exam. Calculator rules differ: ULC sections allow only ALEKS/Desmos; EA sections require a hand-held scientific calculator. No late work is accepted in either format. AI tools including ChatGPT are strictly prohibited.
Table of Contents
Who Takes MAT 114
MAT 114 is the general education mathematics requirement for students whose major does not require College Algebra (MAT 117) or Precalculus (MAT 170). It is not a prerequisite for any other math course at ASU — it is a terminal math course designed to satisfy the MATH general studies requirement and nothing else.
2024+ Catalog Year Students
Students enrolled at ASU under the 2024 or later catalog year see MAT 114 on their degree map where older students see MAT 142. The course code is new but the subject matter — sets, probability, finance, geometry — is the same.
Non-STEM Majors
MAT 114 is taken by students in programs like Communications, Education, Social Work, Criminal Justice, and Liberal Arts — majors where College Algebra is not required and MAT 114 satisfies the math general studies requirement on its own.
Students for Whom Math Is Not a Priority
MAT 114 exists specifically for students who do not plan to go further in mathematics. That does not make it easy — the ALEKS adaptive platform, five proctored exams, and strict no-late-work policy create real pressure even for a terminal math course.
Working Professionals
Adults returning to complete a degree who need to clear a math general studies requirement. MAT 114 has flexible pacing — all units are open from day one — but the firm course end date means procrastination always catches up.
Earned Admission Students
Students taking MAT 114 through ASU’s Earned Admission (EA) program have up to one year to complete the on-demand version. The grading structure is the same but calculator rules differ — hand-held calculators are required and permitted in EA sections, unlike ULC session-based sections.
What MAT 114 Covers
MAT 114 covers five units, each ending with a proctored exam. The topics are applied and real-world in focus — this is not a course in abstract algebra or proofs. Finance and geometry sections catch many students off guard because they involve formulas most students have not used since high school.
| Unit | Topics Covered | Exam Time | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 — Sets and Logic | Set notation, Venn diagrams, unions, intersections, complements, set operations | 50 min | Manageable |
| 2 — Counting and Probability | Fundamental counting principle, permutations, combinations, basic and conditional probability | 50 min | Moderate |
| 3 — Statistics | Descriptive statistics, frequency distributions, measures of center and spread, normal distribution | 50 min | Moderate |
| 4 — Finance | Simple and compound interest, annuities, loans, amortization — formula-heavy with specific calculator requirements | 50 min | Hard |
| 5 — Geometry | Dimensional analysis, perimeter, area, surface area, volume, similarity, proportions, basic trigonometry | 50 min | Moderate |
| Final Exam | Comprehensive — covers all five units | 60 min | Hard |
Why Students Struggle in MAT 114
MAT 114 is often underestimated because it is a non-STEM math course. Four structural factors account for most of the poor grades.
No Late Work — Ever
All assignments must be completed by the official course end date. There are no extensions, no exceptions, and no partial credit for late submissions. Students who pace themselves poorly and fall behind in weeks five or six often cannot complete everything before the course closes — losing entire assignment grades.
Five Proctored Exams — One Shot Each
Each of the five unit exams allows one attempt only, with 50 minutes on the clock and Honorlock recording. Students expecting unlimited retakes — as in some ALEKS homework assignments — are surprised by the strict exam policy. The Final allows 2 attempts, but one attempt is the rule for all five unit exams.
Finance Unit Difficulty Spike
The finance unit — compound interest, annuities, loan amortization — is consistently the hardest part of MAT 114. It requires applying specific formulas with precise order of operations. ULC section students may only use the ALEKS built-in calculator during exams; EA section students use a hand-held scientific calculator. Either way, students who have not practiced with the correct calculator for their format often lose time and make errors on exam day.
Strict No-AI Policy
MAT 114 explicitly prohibits ChatGPT and all other AI tools for any work in the course. Violations are treated as academic integrity breaches and can result in course failure or removal from ASU Learning Enterprise. Students who relied on AI tools in other courses are caught off guard by the explicit enforcement here.
How MAT 114 Is Assessed
The grading structure below reflects the confirmed EA and ULC syllabus weights. MAT 114 is delivered in two formats — session-based (ULC) and on-demand (Earned Admission) — with slightly different exam policies. Confirm your specific format in your Canvas syllabus.
No late work: All assignments must be completed by the official course end date. No extensions are granted. Work not submitted by the last day receives a zero.
| Component | Details | Grade Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Learning Assignments | ALEKS adaptive topics — completed before each unit exam. No late submissions accepted. | ~20% |
| Practice Assignments | ALEKS — reinforces learning assignments before exams | ~10% |
| Written Problems | Handwritten solutions showing work — photographed and submitted through Canvas | 20% |
| Unit Exams (5) | 50 minutes each, 1 attempt, Honorlock proctored — each worth 10%. ULC sections drop the lowest unit exam score. | 50% |
| Final Exam | 60 minutes, comprehensive (all 5 units), Honorlock proctored — 2 attempts in ULC sections. Confirm whether your section includes a separate Final. | Confirm in syllabus |
Calculator rules differ by section format: In ULC session-based sections, only the ALEKS built-in calculator or Desmos is permitted during exams — no hand-held calculators. In EA on-demand sections, a hand-held scientific calculator (such as TI-30XS or TI-34) is required and permitted. Check your specific syllabus before exam day.
How Unit Exam Performance Affects Your Final Grade
Proctoring note: All unit exams and the Final use Honorlock — webcam and screen recording for the full exam window. A photo ID is required for verification. Chrome is required; Chromebooks are not supported.
How Finish My Math Class Can Help
FMMC works with students in ALEKS-based courses including MAT 114. We handle learning assignments, practice assignments, written problems, and Honorlock-proctored exams. Given the no-late-work policy, the earlier you engage support the more of the grade we can protect.
ALEKS Platform Expertise
We work in ALEKS daily. We understand how learning assignments build on each other, how the adaptive system tracks progress, and exactly how to complete written problem submissions in the format your instructor expects.
Finance Unit Support
The finance unit is where most MAT 114 grades take their biggest hit. We handle compound interest, annuity, and amortization problems using whichever calculator applies to your format — ALEKS/Desmos for ULC sections, or hand-held scientific calculator for EA sections.
A or B Grade Guarantee
Every engagement includes our A or B grade guarantee. If we take on your course and miss the agreed grade, you receive a full refund.
Running out of time? Because MAT 114 has a firm course end date with no exceptions, students who contact us with only a week or two remaining have fewer options than those who reach out early. Contact us with your current progress and remaining assignments — we will tell you what is achievable from where you are.
Get Help With MAT 114 Today
A or B grade guaranteed. ALEKS and College Mathematics experts available now.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is MAT 114 at ASU?
MAT 114 (College Mathematics) is a 3-credit general education math course at Arizona State University for students whose major does not require College Algebra or Precalculus. It replaced MAT 142 for students enrolled under the 2024 or later catalog year. The course covers sets, probability, statistics, finance, and geometry through the ALEKS adaptive platform, with five Honorlock-proctored unit exams and a comprehensive final.
What is the difference between MAT 114 and MAT 142?
MAT 114 is the new course code for College Mathematics, assigned to students on the 2024 or later catalog year. MAT 142 is the previous course code, still active for students on pre-2024 catalog years. Both courses cover the same topics on the same ALEKS platform. The key structural difference is that MAT 114 has five unit exams with one dropped, while MAT 142 grading weights vary more by section. If your degree map says MAT 142, see our MAT 142 help page.
How many exams are in MAT 114?
This depends on your format. In ULC session-based sections, there are five unit exams (50 minutes, 1 attempt each) plus one comprehensive Final Exam (60 minutes, 2 attempts) — the lowest unit exam score is dropped, so only five scores count toward your grade. In EA on-demand sections, there are five proctored exams with no separate final — each worth 10% for a total of 50%. Confirm your format in Canvas on day one.
Is MAT 114 proctored?
Yes. All six exams (five unit exams and the final) are proctored using Honorlock, which records webcam and screen activity for the full exam window. A photo ID is required for verification. Chrome is required for Honorlock — Chromebooks are not supported. Learning assignments and practice assignments are not proctored.
Can I use a calculator during MAT 114 exams?
It depends on your course format. In ULC session-based sections, only the ALEKS built-in calculator or Desmos is permitted during exams — hand-held calculators are not allowed. In EA on-demand sections, a hand-held scientific calculator (such as TI-30XS or TI-34 Multiview) is required and permitted. Check your specific syllabus before exam day to confirm which applies to you. In either case, cell phone calculators and online calculators on a separate device are never permitted.
What are the prerequisites for MAT 114?
ASU requires MAT 110 with a Y grade, a Mathematics Placement Test score of 0–39.9% or higher, or an ALEKS score of 0–60 or higher. MAT 114 is not a prerequisite for any other math course at ASU — it is a terminal general studies math requirement.
Can I use AI tools like ChatGPT in MAT 114?
No. MAT 114 explicitly prohibits ChatGPT and all other AI tools for any work in the course. Violations are treated as academic integrity breaches and can result in grade penalties, course failure, or removal from ASU Learning Enterprise. This policy is more explicitly stated in MAT 114 than in most other courses.
Can FMMC help with MAT 114?
Yes. FMMC works with MAT 114 on ALEKS, including learning assignments, practice assignments, written problems, and Honorlock-proctored exams. Given the no-late-work policy, early engagement gives us more of the grade to work with. Contact us for a free quote.
There are many reasons why students need help with their coursework. In any case, it is never too late to ask for help. So, what are you waiting for? Let’s connect!