ALEKS – Math Assessment for Placement

This is an “assessment,” NOT A TEST. The difference is that an assessment is designed to determine what you know. At the end of the ALEKS Placement Assessment, you will have a much better sense of your strengths and weaknesses in math. You will then have a chance to work on those weaknesses. There is really no penalty for incorrectly answering a question on the assessment.  The most important thing is that you take the assessment seriously and give it an honest effort so that the assessment truly reflects your level of knowledge and math preparedness.

There is no benefit to cheating on the placement assessment – your only reward will be that you are forced to take a class that is too difficult for your current level of mathematical knowledge. Therefore, while you are taking the assessment, do not consult any other source for help (friends, family, internet searches, etc.). The purpose of the placement assessment is to give an accurate measure of your current mathematical skills so that you will be successful in your mathematics courses.

All students who wish to take any of the math courses at MACU who do not have placement scores from other accepted sources (e.g., SAT/ACT scores).

You will pay for ALEKS with a credit card before you begin.

Yes, you may take up to 2 placement assessments. However, to make each attempt worthwhile, it is important that you spend time working in your ALEKS Prep and Learning Module in between placement assessments so that you can improve your skills.

Yes, for 5 hours between the 1st and 2nd placement assessments.

Yes, you have 2 hours to complete a placement assessment once it has begun.

Placement assessments require approximately 90 minutes to complete, but the amount of time will vary by student. There will be a maximum of 30 questions.

ALEKS will provide an on-screen calculator if you need one to complete a particular problem. Otherwise, you may not use a calculator.

If the placement assessment is unproctored, you will have to restart the assessment. If the incomplete assessment is proctored and timed, you will be given a placement result, but it may underestimate your true ability.

You may only use a pen or pencil, paper, and the resources provided by ALEKS. You may not receive assistance from friends, family, other websites, textbooks, or any other resource not provided by ALEKS. Using outside resources may lead to improper placement and ultimately course failure.

Your placement result is your percentage mastery on the final assessment. Course placement is determined as follows:

Your placement result is valid for 6 months.

ALEKS will begin with a brief tutorial before your placement begins.

You will have six months of access from the time that you start using your Prep and Learning module.

Access to a Prep and Learning Module is included along with up to 2 placement assessments.

While working in a Prep and Learning Module, you will periodically complete progress assessments to solidify your gains in knowledge.

No, you must complete a new placement assessment to change your placement result. Click on the placement tab on the upper right of the page from within ALEKS. Only your placement assessment results will be used for course placement.

You can use a Prep and Learning Module to review and learn, and you may take another placement assessment to improve your placement result.

No, you must achieve the minimum placement result to take each corresponding course.

Congratulations! Continue to use your Prep and Learning Module to improve your chances for success. The placement result above is the minimum preparation required for your course! Take advantage of the targeted review and learning features in ALEKS to get a better grade in your class.

In addition to purchasing access to ALEKS (https://www.aleks.com), contact the Academic Affairs (AA) office to sign up to take the final proctored test. You may contact Nancy Duffer for test day details (nancy.duffer@macuniversity.edu or 252-334-2086).

https://www.aleks.com/highered/students