Placement Testing

What is the purpose of placement testing? The results will be used to determine the most appropriate courses for each student as they move forward with college coursework. After taking an ALEKS placement test, students should meet with their advisor to review their results and enroll in the best classes based on their scores.

ALEKS placement test is designed to determine what a student knows and what a student needs to work on. At the end of the test, students 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. 

What is the format of the questions on ALEKS?

ALEKS is not a multiple-choice placement test. 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 test?

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. It is a violation of the institution’s honor code.

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's likely you'll be asked questions on topics you haven't learned yet. For these questions, feel free to simply answer, "I don't know." Answering "I don't know" is interpreted by ALEKS to mean that you haven't learned how to answer questions or solve problems on that topic, and this will be reflected in the placement test results. There's no penalty for incorrectly answering a question on the placement test: it only helps ALEKS understand what you know and don't know. For any questions you're already familiar with, it's important to do your best at answering it correctly. 

Are placement tests timed?

The system will allow you to access your placement test for 2 hours. The ALEKS program will automatically log out after 30 minutes of inactivity. If this happens, you will need to begin the test again.

What happens if I do not complete a placement test in the allotted time?

Since our placement test is proctored and timed, you will be given a placement result, but it will not be a true reflection of your abilities. Please use the practice materials and take another attempt. 

How long do I have access to my Prep and Learning Module (PPL)?

You will have six months of access to your Prep and Learning module. Access to the prep course begins once you select "start" at the top of your screen. Do not select "start" until you're 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 tests.

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 test. ALEKS will identify what you know and what you are ready to learn next so you can brush up on lost knowledge.

• 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).

Contact ALEKS (McGraw-Hill) for questions and arrangements pertaining to accommodated placement testing.

To learn more about the available support and accommodations we offer to learners, please contact us at accessibility@mheducation.com.

ALEKS Math Placement Test (Oregon Tech login required)

• Take your Math Placement Test for Klamath Falls campus 
• Take your Math Placement Test for Portland-Metro campus
• Take your Math Placement Test for Online campus

A&P Placement Test (Oregon Tech login required)

• Take the A&P Placement Test

Your placement result (overall score) is a number between 0 and 100. It represents the percentage of topics that you have mastered within ALEKS. Students who score below 30% or place below MATH 100 will be encouraged to enroll in MATH 101. Students will need to speak with an advisor who will then make recommendations and give further instructions.

You can retake the placement tests up to four additional times to improve your score (the highest score will be utilized for math placement). To aid in your success, we require that you work in the Prep and Learning Modules for a specific amount of time before you can make your second and third placement test attempts.

• Practice test — recommended before your first attempt so you understand how to navigate the tool and utilize the resources available
• 1st Attempt — remember to give yourself extra time to complete the verification steps before Attempt #1 (Note: verification will be required for each attempt)
• 48 Hours 
• 2nd Attempt — complete 5 hours of Prep and Learning Modules
• 48 Hours
• 3rd Attempt — complete 5 hours of Prep and Learning Modules
• 48 Hours
• 4th Attempt — work in the Prep and Learning Modules to improve your score
• 48 Hours
• 5th Attempt — work in the Prep and Learning Modules to improve your score

If you have confirmed all of the above steps, and are still having issues, it could be that your internet service is having trouble. Try plugging directly into your modem or seek out an alternative internet source. 

Still stuck? Reach out to ALEKS Support for help.