ASU MAT 117: College Algebra
MAT 117 is ASU's college algebra course — functions, linear and quadratic equations, polynomials, exponentials, and logarithms — and a prerequisite gate for brief calculus, statistics, and many majors. It's taught through the ALEKS adaptive learning system, which most students first meet during math placement.
Fennie is independent and not affiliated with Arizona State University. This is an unofficial study guide.
Build my MAT 117 study planWhat makes it hard
ALEKS is the defining experience: it requires mastering topics in its knowledge pie and periodically re-tests old material through knowledge checks, so cramming literally doesn't work — skipped weeks reappear as lost pie progress. Students who treat it as a daily 30-60 minute habit cruise; students who binge before deadlines fight the system all term.
What you'll cover
- • Functions and graphs
- • Linear and quadratic equations
- • Polynomial and rational expressions
- • Exponential and logarithmic functions
- • Systems of equations
The MAT 117 study guide
How to study for ASU MAT 117, step by step.
- 1
Commit to 30-60 minutes in ALEKS most days
MAT 117 is won or lost on rhythm. ALEKS rewards short, near-daily sessions and punishes binges — knowledge checks re-test old topics, so crammed material literally evaporates from your pie.
- 2
Take knowledge checks seriously, not defensively
Don't game them with notes — a falsely full pie collapses later and the proctored exams expose it. Let ALEKS find your real gaps while they're still cheap to fix.
- 3
Front-run the module deadlines
Aim to hit each mastery milestone several days early. ALEKS topic counts can jump after a knowledge check, and the buffer absorbs that without a deadline panic.
- 4
Keep a notebook ALEKS can't see
Work every problem on paper — especially logs, exponentials, and rational expressions. The Honorlock-proctored exams are done by hand, and screen-only practice doesn't transfer.
- 5
Re-derive your weakest pie slices before exams
Before each proctored exam, pull your shakiest topics and redo a problem set on paper under time. The exam is the one place the adaptive system can't help you.
- 6
Pair ALEKS with a Fennie Daily Plan
Upload your MAT 117 schedule and Fennie paces consistent daily topic-mastery sessions to hit every module deadline with margin — the exact rhythm ALEKS rewards — plus extra quiz practice from the course material. Free to start.
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How Fennie helps with MAT 117
Fennie's Daily Plans pair perfectly with ALEKS courses like MAT 117: consistent daily topic-mastery sessions scheduled to hit the module deadlines with margin, because ALEKS rewards exactly that rhythm. When an ALEKS explanation doesn't land, chat re-explains the concept a different way and works similar examples until it does.
FAQ
Is MAT 117 at ASU hard?
The algebra is standard college-algebra material; the ALEKS format is what trips people. Knowledge checks re-test earlier topics, so progress evaporates if you cram. Treat it as a near-daily habit and it's one of the most predictable courses at ASU.
How does ALEKS work in MAT 117?
ALEKS builds a pie of topics, teaches and tests them adaptively, and runs periodic knowledge checks that can add topics back if you've forgotten them. Grades typically hinge on hitting mastery milestones by module deadlines plus proctored exams.
How many hours a week does MAT 117 take?
Plan on 6-10 hours weekly in ALEKS, ideally split into short daily sessions. Students logging consistent time finish modules early; students working in weekend binges lose topics to knowledge checks and redo work.
Pass MAT 117 with a plan, not a cram
Upload your MAT 117 materials and Fennie generates a Daily Plan paced to your deadline — plus chat, flashcards, and quizzes built from the actual course content.
Get started freeMore ASU courses
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