ALEKS Math Placement Assessment
The ALEKS Placement, Preparation and Learning Assessment (ALEKS PPL) determines readiness for math courses. Results show your strengths and weaknesses in math.
New incoming freshman are encouraged to take their ALEKS math placement assessment prior to their Preview orientation date. The score you receive will determine the appropriate Math class that you will register for during Preview.
Students with dual-credit, AP credit, or appropriate transfer credit may not have to take ALEKS.
To confirm your credit meets requirements, contact University College Advisement: (309) 438-7604.
Cost: $15
- New incoming freshmen: $15 is included in Enrollment Deposit Fee.
- New transfer students: $15 is required by credit/debit card.
- Continuing students: $15 is required by credit/debit card.
Note: The $15 fee provides access to the ALEKS assessment for one year, at which time access is expired. If, after one year, you need to take the assessment again, you will be required to pay the $15 fee for an additional year of access.
Length: 60-90 minutes for up to 30 questions
Format: Online
View a list of browsers and system requirements
ALEKS PPL for Illinois State does not currently have to be taken in a proctored environment. We reserve the right to require a student to take a placement assessment in a proctored environment.
Layout
ALEKS is an open-response assessment. Be sure to have a paper and pencil with you. You'll work out solutions and enter your answer into the system. Once you submit your answer, you cannot change it.
Each section begins with a brief tutorial that explains how to enter your answers, how to use the ALEKS calculator, and how to graph.
The Help button offers further assistance and does not impact your results.
Time Limit
Each exam session is 48 hours. If you do not finish your exam in that time, your session will expire.
If you need to take a break from the assessment, you can log back in and pick up where you left off.
Assessed Topics
ALEKS covers a broad spectrum of mathematics topics.
The assessment consists of three sections:
- An Initial Placement Assessment
- The Prep and Learning Module, an individualized, self-paced online review
- Access to four additional Placement Assessments
Most questions will relate to topics you learned in high school. You will also encounter topics you haven't learned. For these, you can answer with I don't know.
If you have any experience with a question, do your best to answer it. There is no penalty for an incorrect answer.
The way you answer helps ALEKS understand what you know and don't know, and ultimately gets you placed in an appropriate math class based on your knowledge.
Assessment Tools
You can use the following items when taking ALEKS:
- Pencil or pen
- Paper
- Resources within ALEKS
Prohibited Items
Any resources outside of ALEKS are not allowed when taking the assessment. This includes:
- Assistance from other people
- Websites
- Textbooks
- Personal calculator (ALEKS provides an on-screen calculator)
Using outside resources will lead to improper placement and potentially course failure. It is also a violation of the Illinois State University’s Code of Student Conduct.