ALEKS Math Readiness Assessment

Boost Your Math Skills with ALEKS Placement and Prep

The ALEKS Placement Assessment helps determine the best math course for you by identifying what you already know and what you're ready to learn next. After your initial assessment, you'll gain access to the Prep and Learning Module—a personalized study plan tailored to your results. This tool is great for refreshing forgotten material, boosting your score on a retake, or strengthening your skills to help you succeed in your math course.

Placement Assessment Prep & Learning Module Your Score & Course Placement

The Placement Assessment

The Placement Assessment helps determine your current math skills so we can place you in the class where you’ll have the best chance to succeed. It includes up to 30 questions and usually takes about 60–90 minutes to complete. When you’re finished, you’ll get a score between 0 and 100, which tells you which math courses you’re ready to take and can register for.

Why Giving Your Best Effort Matters

It’s important to take the ALEKS Placement Assessment seriously and give it your best shot. Why? Because it needs to reflect your actual math skills. Cheating or not trying your hardest could place you in a class that’s either way too hard or not challenging enough. That could cost you time, money, and even impact your academic record or financial aid. So, avoid using outside help like friends, family, internet searches, textbooks, or notes while taking the assessment.

Where Can I Take the ALEKS Placement Assessment?

You have a few options for where to take your placement test—choose the one that works best for you!

  • Testing Center (Recommended): The Testing Center is fully equipped for your test. All monitoring is handled by the center, so no recording is required. Simply schedule your appointment and show up for your test.
  • Hawkeye Library, Student Tutoring Center, or Van G. Miller Adult Learning Center: These locations have computers ready with everything you need. No appointment necessary—just drop in and take your test! You’ll be monitored by a webcam, so make sure your camera setup is correct.
  • Virtually (From Your Own Computer): This option requires you to install LockDown Browser and Respondus Monitor on your personal computer. You’ll also need a webcam, microphone, and must follow all instructions for a proper testing environment and webcam setup.

Your ALEKS Score and Course Placement

You’ll get your score right after finishing the Placement Assessment.

Your score will be available in ALEKS and automatically added to your student profile, which your academic advisor can access.

Your placement score is valid for 24 months.

ALEKS Score Placement Your Next Math Course
0–5 MAT-012 Math Skills
  • MAT-772 Applied Math or
  • MAT-052 Pre-Algebra
4–9 MAT-048 Preparatory Math for Elementary Algebra
  • MAT-060 Algebra Essentials
6–13 MAT-052 Pre-Algebra
  • MAT-060 Algebra Essentials
6–13 MAT-772 Applied Math  
14–29 MAT-060 Algebra Essentials
  • MAT-102 Intermediate Algebra or
  • MAT-110 Math for Liberal Arts or
  • MAT-112 Math for Elementary Teachers I or
  • MAT-156 Statistics or
  • MAT-504 Electronics Math I or
  • MAT-741 Technical Mathematics I
30–44 MAT-102 Intermediate Algebra
  • MAT-121 College Algebra
30–44 MAT-110 Math for Liberal Arts  
30–44 MAT-112 Math for Elementary Teachers I
  • MAT-118 Math for Elementary Teachers II
30–44 MAT-156 Statistics  
30–44 MAT-504 Electronics Math I
  • MAT-514 Electronics Math II
30–44 MAT-741 Technical Math I
  • MAT-748 Technical Math II
45–60 MAT-121 College Algebra
  • MAT-128 Precalculus or
  • MAT-134 Trigonometry and Analytic Geometry
61–75 MAT-128 Precalculus
  • MAT-210 Calculus I
61–75 MAT-134 Trigonometry and Analytic Geometry
  • MAT-210 Calculus I
76–100 MAT-210 Calculus
  • MAT-216 Calculus II

You can look at your program’s courses page or degree audit to find out which math course is required.

It's a good idea to meet with your academic advisor. They can review your score with you and recommend the best math course based on your results and your program’s requirements.

Keep in mind, you’ll need to meet the minimum placement score to enroll in a specific math class. The math department will verify your score before your course begins.

Yes! If you didn’t place into the course you were aiming for, you can use the Prep and Learning Module to review and refresh what you’ve forgotten. Then, retake the Placement Assessment to try for a higher score.

Make the most of the personalized review and learning tools in the Prep and Learning Module. Spending time in the module can help you feel more confident and earn a better grade in your math class.

Prep and Learning Module

The Prep and Learning Module is a personalized study plan tailored to your performance on your initial Placement Assessment. ALEKS identifies what you already know and what you’re ready to learn next.

This module is great for refreshing forgotten material to improve your score on a retake or to help you perform better in your class if you’ve already placed where you wanted.

You’ll have 12 months of access to your Prep and Learning Module, but it won’t start until you click “Start” at the top of your screen. Be sure you’re ready to dive in before selecting it!

View your Prep and Learning Modules

As you work in a Prep and Learning Module, you’ll occasionally take a Knowledge Check to see if you’ve mastered the topics you’ve been practicing. If the Knowledge Check shows you haven’t fully mastered a topic yet, it will be added back into your Learning Pie for more review.

No, progress in an ALEKS Prep and Learning Module doesn’t count toward your course placement. To improve your placement score, you’ll need to complete a new Placement Assessment.

To begin a new Placement Assessment, click the Placement tab in the top-right corner of the ALEKS page.

No, you can only use one Prep and Learning Module, and it can’t be changed once you’ve selected it.

If you’re unsure which module to choose, go with the one ALEKS recommends or ask your academic advisor for guidance.

Want some extra guidance while working in the module?

Stop by the Student Tutoring and Computer Lab in Bremer Hall, where an ALEKS math tutor can assist you.