What is ALEKS?
UNCG requires an ALEKS Placement, Preparation and Learning (ALEKS PPL) Assessment to determine readiness for mathematics courses. ALEKS PPL is a web-based program that uses artificial intelligence to map a student’s strengths and weaknesses. The Placement Assessment is up to 25 questions and generally takes 60-90 minutes to complete. After the Initial Practice Placement Assessment, an individualized Prep and Learning Module is available for students to refresh their knowledge on forgotten topics. Students then can reassess and improve their placement.
ALEKS consists of three parts:
- An Initial Practice Assessment that does not count towards placement
- The Prep and Learning Module, an individualized, self-paced online review
- Access to 4 additional Placement Assessments (2 un-proctored practice attempts that do not count toward placement and 2 proctored attempts where the higher score is used for placement. Most first-year students will take their first proctored attempt at SOAR.)
UNCG encourages each student to spend time in the Prep and Learning Module, even if the desired score is achieved, because time spent in ALEKS will ultimately lead to better preparation and improved grades.
What is the purpose of placement testing? The Placement Assessment results will be used to determine the most appropriate courses for each student as they move forward with college coursework. After taking a Placement Assessment, students should meet with their advisor to review their results and enroll in the best classes based on their scores.
This is a “Placement Assessment,” not a test. The difference is that a Placement Assessment is designed to determine what a student knows and what a student needs to work on. At the end of the ALEKS PPL Assessment, a student will have a much better sense of their strengths and weaknesses in math. Students then have a chance to brush on topics that may have been forgotten or haven’t been practiced for some time.
Be honest. It is important that the Placement Assessment is taken seriously, and each student gives it an honest effort so that the Placement Assessment truly reflects their current level of knowledge and math preparedness. There is no benefit to cheating on the Placement Assessment – the only result will be that a student enrolls in a class that is too difficult, or not challenging enough, potentially costing time and money. Therefore, while taking the Placement Assessment, students should not consult any outside sources for help (friends/family, internet searches, textbooks, notes etc…). The purpose of the Placement Assessment is to give an accurate measure of a student’s current mathematical knowledge state so that they will be successful in mathematics courses. See the UNCG Academic Integrity Policy & Pledge.
FAQs
| Preparation |
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Why must I take the ALEKS PPL Assessment? The Placement Assessment is used to determine the mathematics course in which you will have the greatest success. Upon completion of the Placement Assessments, your scores are sent to your academic advisor. Your advisor will review your scores and help make appropriate recommendations for course registration.
Who must take the ALEKS PPL Assessment? All students who wish to take any of the following courses:
- MAT 190 Precalculus
- MAT 196 Calculus A with support course MAT 181 Foundations of Calculus (if you do not have C or better in MAT 120, MAT 184, or MAT 190)
- MAT 196 Calculus A (if you do not have C or better in MAT 120, MAT 184, or MAT 190)
When do I take the ALEKS PPL Assessment? Most incoming students take their initial practice assessment unproctored at home before attending SOAR. This initial assessment is not used for placement but allows the student to see what types of questions are on the assessment. At SOAR, students will take their first proctored attempt in the University Proctoring Lab.
Are ALEKS PPL Assessments proctored? Where can I take my Placement Assessment? Students are allowed to take up to 2 proctored assessments and up to 3 unproctored practice assessments. Only the proctored assessments are used for placement. The proctored assessments must be taken at the University Proctoring Lab.
Is there a fee for using ALEKS PPL? Use of ALEKS is currently free to UNCG students.
What if I need accommodations? UNCG seeks to comply fully with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Students requesting accommodations based on a disability must be registered with the Office of Accessibility Resources and Services (OARS). If you wish to request accommodations, please start the process by contacting OARS at 215 Elliott University Center, 336-334-5440, or by completing the Welcome Form, linked from the OARS website.
Do I need to install any software or plug-ins prior to taking the ALEKS Placement Assessment? No. There are no required plug-ins or applets required with your use of ALEKS PPL. If you have access to the internet and are using an updated browser, you should not experience difficulties in taking your Placement Assessment. For a list of preferred browsers, please review the ALEKS system requirements on their support site.
What topics are covered during the ALEKS PPL Assessment? ALEKS PPL is an online, adaptive system that covers a broad spectrum of mathematics topics. The length of the Placement Assessment will vary but can be up to 25 questions. You will see some, but not all, of the math you have learned in high school. It is a Placement Assessment, not a preview of math courses at UNCG. It is designed to identify if you are prepared for a particular course. After you take your first Placement Assessment, you will have the opportunity to review and master additional topics to reassess and improve your placement.
Topics covered:
- Real numbers (including fractions, integers, and percentages)
- Equations and inequalities (including linear equations, linear inequalities, systems of linear equations, and quadratic equations),
- Linear and quadratic functions (including graphs and functions, linear functions, and parabolas), exponents and polynomials (including integer exponents, polynomial arithmetic, factoring, and polynomial equations), rational expressions (including rational equations and rational functions
- Radical expressions (including higher roots and rational exponents)
- Exponentials and logarithms (including function compositions and inverse functions, properties of logarithms, and logarithmic equations)
- Geometry and trigonometry (including perimeter, area, and volume, coordinate geometry, trigonometric functions, and identities and equations).
Can I practice using the ALEKS input tools before I begin the Placement Assessment? ALEKS will begin with a brief tutorial to make sure you are comfortable with the math palette tools before your Placement Assessment begins. The tutorial shows you how to enter different types of answers, how to use the ALEKS calculator, and how to graph. If you aren’t sure how to input an answer or need help while you are taking the ALEKS Placement Assessment, select the Help button below the answer palette tools. Going to the tutorial during your Placement Assessment will NOT impact your Placement Assessment results.
| Taking the Placement Assessment |
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What is the format of the questions on ALEKS? ALEKS is not a multiple-choice Placement Assessment. It is open-response and requires you to work out solutions with a paper and pencil, then enter them into ALEKS. Be sure to have scratch paper with you.
May I use a calculator while using ALEKS? ALEKS will provide an on-screen calculator if you need one to complete a particular problem. Otherwise, you may not use a calculator.
May I use any other resources during a Placement Assessment? You may only use a pen or pencil, paper, and the resources provided within ALEKS. You should not receive assistance from friends, family, other websites, textbooks, or any other resource not provided by ALEKS. Using outside resources will lead to improper placement and potentially course failure.
Can I review a question after I’ve answered it? Because ALEKS is adaptive, once you submit an answer, you cannot change it. Be sure to carefully check your answer before submitting your response.
What if I see questions I don’t know? It is likely that you will be asked questions on material you have not yet learned. On such questions it is appropriate to answer, I don’t know. On any question that you have familiarity with, however, it is important to do your best. I don’t know is interpreted by ALEKS to mean that you do not know how to solve the topic, and this will be reflected in the Placement Assessment results. There is no penalty for incorrectly answering a question on the Placement Assessment, it only helps ALEKS understand what you know and don’t know.
Are Placement Assessments timed? Yes, you have 2 hours to complete a proctored Placement Assessment and 24 hours for a un-proctored Practice Assessment once it has begun.
What happens if I do not complete a Placement Assessment in the allotted time? If the Placement Assessment is un-proctored, you will have to restart the Placement Assessment. If the incomplete Placement Assessment is proctored and timed, you will be given a placement result, but it will not be a true reflection of your abilities.
I am ready to start my ALEKS PPL Assessment. How do I begin? Go to ALEKS PPL Assessment If you have questions, contact the STEM Learning Center for more information. Students can call, email or visit the center.
STEM Learning Center | Faculty Center | 336-256-2597 | slc@uncg.edu
| Placement Result |
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What is my placement result? Your placement result (overall score) is a number between 0 and 100. It represents the percentage of topics ALEKS has identified you have mastered. Course placement is determined as follows:
| ALEKS/Math Placement Test Score | Placement |
|---|---|
| 1-45 | MAT 115 College Algebra, but please use ALEKS to review before class begins. The STEM learning center is happy to answer your questions. |
| 45-60 | MAT 115 College Algebra |
| 61-75 | MAT 190 Precalculus |
| 68-80 | MAT 196 Calculus A with MAT 181 support |
| ≥ 76 | MAT 196 Calculus A |
Where can I see my score?
- You will receive your score immediately upon completion of your Placement Assessment.
- Your ALEKS score can be viewed by re-entering ALEKS using the same access link for which you took the Placement Assessment.
How long is my placement result valid? Your placement result is valid for up to 12 months.
What if I do not place into the course I wanted? This is a perfect opportunity to take advantage of the Prep and Learning Modules offered within ALEKS PPL. An individualized study plan will be created based on your performance on the Initial Placement Assessment. ALEKS will identify what you know and what you are ready to learn next so you can brush up on lost knowledge, and the tutors at the UNCG STEM Learning Center will provide free in-person and virtual tutoring support. We recommend that all students speak with their academic advisor and utilize the Prep and Learning Modules and STEM Learning Center before taking any course.
I did not place into the class I wanted. Can I take it anyway? No, you must achieve the minimum placement result to take each corresponding class.
Which math course is required for my program? You can explore degree requirements for different programs in the University Catalog.
What if I placed into the class I wanted? Congratulations! Continue to use your Prep and Learning Module to improve your chances for success. The placement result required is the minimum preparation for your course. Take advantage of the individualized review and learning features in ALEKS to get a better grade in your class.
Can I retake the ALEKS PPL Assessment? Yes, you may take a total of 3 un-proctored practice attempts and 2 proctored attempts. Only proctored attempts count for placement. However, to make each attempt worthwhile, it is important that you spend time working in your ALEKS Prep and Learning Module between Placement Assessments so that you can improve your skills. Between each attempt, you should spend at least 5 hours in the Prep and Learning Modules. Research suggests that most students will not reach the point of diminishing returns until they work at least 15-20 hours in total in the module.
Can I retake the ALEKS Placement Assessment immediately? You must wait 24 hours between Placement Assessments. There is generally no benefit to re-taking the Placement Assessment immediately after completing a prior attempt. You cannot improve your results by simply re-taking the Placement Assessment without spending time in the Prep and Learning Module to refresh material that you may have forgotten.
| Prep and Learning Modules |
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How long do I have access to my Prep and Learning Module? You will have six months of access to your Prep and Learning module. Access to the prep course will not begin until you select start on the top of your screen. DO NOT select into the Prep and Learning Module until you are ready to start working.
Is there an additional fee for my Prep and Learning Module? Access to a Prep and Learning Module is included along with the additional Placement Assessments.
Must I work in my ALEKS Prep and Learning Module between Placement Assessments? Students can take the un-proctored assessment a total of 3 times for practice and can take the proctored Placement assessment a total of 2 times. The highest proctored score will be used for math placement. Students are required to work in the Prep and Learning Modules for a specific amount of time prior to each Placement Assessment to increase success.
What are ALEKS Knowledge Checks? While working in a Prep and Learning Module, you will periodically complete a Knowledge Check to make sure you have mastered the topics you gained in Learning Mode. If you do not show mastery during the Knowledge Check, the topics will be added back into your Learning Pie so you can review them again.
Does the un-proctored Placement Assessment count toward placement? No. The un-proctored attempts are solely for practice. You must complete a proctored Placement Assessment to change your placement result.
Does progress in an ALEKS Prep and Learning Module count toward placement? No. You must complete a new Placement Assessment to change your placement result. Select the placement tab in the upper right corner of the ALEKS page to start a new Placement Assessment.
Can I change to a different Prep and Learning Module later? No. You may only use one Prep and Learning Module. If you are unsure which module to select, use the module recommended by ALEKS or consult with your advisor.
| Technical Support |
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What do I do if my web browser gets stuck or my computer crashes while I’m taking the Placement Assessment? Simply close the browser, or log out and log back in. ALEKS will resume the Placement Assessment exactly where you left off, with no loss of your previous answers.
Where can I get help with ALEKS?
ALEKS Customer Support Recommendation: Call +1 (800) 258-2374