ALEKS Math Readiness Assessment

ALEKS is an online assessment program designed to place students in mathematics courses based on their current math skills. It also provides personalized instruction to help improve upon current math skills. The ALEKS program consists of:

  1. Placement Assessment: The Placement Assessment will have up to 30 questions and generally takes 60–90 minutes to complete. When you finish the Placement Assessment you will be given a score between 0 and 100. This score is used to determine what courses you are ready to take and are therefore able to register for.

  2. Personalized Prep and Learning Module: After completing the Placement Assessment, an individualized, self-paced, online Prep and Learning Module will be available to you to refresh your knowledge on forgotten topics and help you prepare for your college math course.

Hawkeye requires all students to take the ALEKS Placement Assessment before registering for any math course. We recommend you take the Placement Assessment as soon as possible after being admitted to Hawkeye. When you finish the Placement Assessment you will be given a score between 0 and 100.

Taking the Placement Assessment

The purpose of the Placement Assessment is to give an accurate measure of your current mathematical knowledge state to determine the mathematics course in which you will have the greatest success.

It is important that the Placement Assessment is taken seriously and you give it an honest effort so that the Placement Assessment truly reflects your current level of knowledge and math preparedness. There is no benefit to cheating or not trying your best on the Placement Assessment as this may result in you taking a math course that is too difficult or not challenging enough. Taking the wrong math course can cost you both time and money, can negatively impact your permanent academic record, and may affect your financial aid eligibility. Therefore, while taking the Placement Assessment, please do not consult any outside sources for help such as friends/family, internet searches, textbooks, notes etc.

Respondus LockDown Browser for ALEKS is required to take the Placement Assessment. This browser is installed and ready to use on campus computers in the Student Tutoring and Computer Lab, in the Library, and at the Van G. Miller Adult Learning Center where you may take the assessment. Or you may install the Respondus Lockdown browser for ALEKS on your computer by following the instructions provided below.

Installing Respondus Lockdown browser for ALEKS

  1. You will need a Windows or Mac computer that enables you to install software. Chromebooks are not supported.

  2. Download the Respondus LockDown Browser for ALEKS.

  3. Locate the downloaded file on your computer. Double click the file to run the program. Follow the prompts to install the Respondus LockDown Browser for ALEKS.

  4. Return to the Respondus Lockdown Browser for ALEKS web page. Check your setup using the links under the heading "Check your Setup & Installation".

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 pallet tools.

Going to the tutorial during your Placement Assessment will not impact your Placement Assessment results.

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.

What topics are covered during the ALEKS Placement Assessment?

The Placement Assessment is adaptive and covers a broad spectrum of mathematics topics including:

  • Real numbers: Fractions, integers, and percentages
  • Equations and inequalities: Linear equations, linear inequalities, systems of linear equations, and quadratic equations
  • Linear and quadratic functions: Graphs and functions, linear functions, and parabolas
  • Exponents and polynomials: Integer exponents, polynomial arithmetic, factoring, and polynomial equations
  • Rational expressions: Rational equations and rational functions
  • Radical expressions: Higher roots and rational exponents
  • Exponentials and logarithms: Function compositions and inverse functions, properties of logarithms, and logarithmic equations
  • Geometry and trigonometry: Perimeter, area, and volume, coordinate geometry, trigonometric functions, and identities and equations

What is the format of the questions?

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.

What resources can I use while taking a Placement Assessment?

You may only use a pen or pencil, paper, and the resources provided within ALEKS. ALEKS will provide an on-screen calculator if you need one to complete a particular problem.

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.

Be sure to have a pen or pencil and paper with you when taking the Placement Assessment.

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.

Is the Placement Assessment timed?

You will have access to your Placement Assessment for three hours.

Take your time and complete the Placement Assessment at your own pace.

If you need to exit the Placement Assessment for any reason, you will be able to log back in and pick up where you left off, but you must complete the Placement Assessment within three hours.

Can I retake the Placement Assessment?

Yes, you can retake the Placement Assessment up to four additional times to improve your score. The highest score will be used for math placement.

You must wait 48 hours between Placement Assessments.

Three hours of work in the Prep and Learning Module is required before each Placement Assessment attempt. Your score will not improve if you simply retake the Placement Assessment without spending time in the Prep and Learning Module to refresh material that you may have forgotten.

Your ALEKS Score and Course Placement

Where can I see my score?

  • You will immediately receive your score upon completion of the Placement Assessment.
  • Your scores will be available in ALEKS.
  • Your scores will automatically be added to your student profile which can be accessed by your Academic/College Success advisor.

Your placement score is valid for up to 24 months and will be verified by the math department before your math course begins.

Please meet with your Academic/College Success advisor to review your scores. Your Academic/College Success advisor will help make appropriate math course recommendations based on your scores and the math course(s) required for your program.

See your program's Suggested Sequence of Study for math course(s) required for your program.

You must achieve the minimum placement result to take the corresponding class.

ALEKS Score Placement Sequence
0–5 MAT-012 Math Skills See course sequence starting at MAT-012.
4–9 MAT-048 Preparatory Math for Elementary Algebra See course sequence starting at MAT-048.
6–13 MAT-052 Pre-Algebra See course sequence starting at MAT-052.
MAT-772 Applied Math See course sequence starting at MAT-772.
14–29 MAT-060 Algebra Essentials See course sequence starting at MAT-060.
30–44 MAT-102 Intermediate Algebra See course sequence starting at MAT-102.
MAT-110 Math for Liberal Arts See course sequence starting at MAT-110.
MAT-112 Math for Elementary Teachers I See course sequence starting at MAT-112.
MAT-156 Statistics See course sequence starting at MAT-156.
MAT-504 Electronics Math I See course sequence starting at MAT-504.
MAT-741 Technical Math I See course sequence starting at MAT-741.
45–60 MAT-121 College Algebra See course sequence starting at MAT-121.
61–75 MAT-128 Precalculus See course sequence starting at MAT-128.
MAT-134 Trigonometry and Analytic Geometry See course sequence starting at MAT-134.
76–100 MAT-210 Calculus See course sequence starting at MAT-210.

Want to improve your score?

If you didn't place in the course you wanted, you can spend time in the Prep and Learning Module to refresh material that you may have forgotten then retake the Placement Assessment to improve your score.

Preparing for your math class

Take advantage of the individualized review and learning features in the Prep and Learning Module. Time spent in the Prep and Learning Module will help you get a better grade in your class.

Math Course Sequence

Sequence starts at MAT-012 Math Skills, ALEKS score 0 - 5, or MAT-048 Preparatory Math for Elementary Skills, ALEKS score 4 -9. Go to MAT-012 Math Skills Go to MAT-048 Preparatory Math for Elementary Skills

MAT-012 Math Skills
ALEKS score 0 – 5

Next in sequence
Next in sequence. Choose one of two options. Option 1 of 2: MAT-772 Applied Algebra.Jump to option 2 of 2: MAT-052 Pre-Algebra

MAT-772 Applied Math
ALEKS score 6 – 13

End of sequence.

Next in sequence. Choose one of two options. Option 2 of 2: MAT-052 Pre-Algebra.

MAT-052 Pre-Algebra
ALEKS score 6 – 13

Next in sequence: MAT-060

MAT-048 Preparatory Math for Elementary Skills
ALEKS score 4 – 9

Next in sequence: MAT-060

MAT-060 Algebra Essentials
ALEKS score 14 – 29

Next in sequence
Next in sequence. Choose one of six options. Option 1 of 6: MAT-102 Intermediate Algebra.Jump to option 2 of 6: MAT-110 Math for Liberal Arts

MAT-102
Intermediate Algebra

ALEKS score 30 – 44

Next in sequence

MAT-121
College Algebra

ALEKS score 45 – 60

Next in sequence

MAT-128
Precalculus

-OR-

MAT-134
Trigonometry and Analytic Geometry

ALEKS score 61 – 75

Next in sequence

MAT-210
Calculus I

ALEKS score 76 – 100

Next in sequence

MAT-216
Calculus II

Next in sequence

MAT-219
Calculus III

End of sequence.

Next in sequence. Choose one of six options. Option 2 of 6: MAT-110 Math for Liberal Arts.Jump to option 3 of 6: MAT-112 Math for Elementary Teachers I

MAT-110
Math for Liberal Arts

ALEKS score 30 – 44

End of sequence.

Next in sequence. Choose one of six options. Option 3 of 6: MAT-112 Math for Elementary Teachers I.Jump to option 4 of 6: MAT-156 Statistics

MAT-112
Math for Elementary Teachers I

ALEKS score 30 – 44

Next in sequence

MAT-118
Math for Elementary Teachers II

End of sequence.

Next in sequence. Choose one of six options. Option 4 of 6: MAT-156 Statistics.Jump to option 5 of 6: MAT-504 Electronics Math I

MAT-156
Statistics

ALEKS score 30 – 44

End of sequence.

Next in sequence. Choose one of six options. Option 5 of 6: MAT-504 Electronics Math I.Jump to option 6 of 6: MAT-741 Technical Mathematics I

MAT-504
Electronics Math I

ALEKS score 30 – 44

Next in sequence

MAT-514
Electronics Math II

End of sequence.

Next in sequence. Choose one of six options. Option 6 of 6: MAT-741 Technical Mathematics I.

MAT-741
Technical Mathematics I

ALEKS score 30 – 44

Next in sequence

MAT-748
Technical Math II

End of sequence.

Prep and Learning Module

The Prep and Learning Module is an individualized study plan that's created based on your performance on the Initial Placement Assessment. ALEKS will identify what you know and what you are ready to learn next.

The Prep and Learning Module will help you brush up on lost knowledge to improve your Placement Assessment score upon retake or help you get a better grade in your class if you've placed into the class you wanted.

You will have twelve 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.

Want to work on the Prep and Learning Module with the assistance of a math tutor? Visit the Student Tutoring and Computer Lab to work with an ALEKS math tutor.

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 progress in an ALEKS Prep and Learning Module count toward placement?

No, progress in an ALEKS Prep and Learning Module does not count toward course placement. You must complete a new Placement Assessment to change your placement score.

To start a new Placement Assessment, select the placement tab in the upper right corner of the ALEKS page.

Can I change to a different Prep and Learning Module later?

No, you cannot change to a different Prep and Learning Module. 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 Academic/College Success Advisor.

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