What is ALEKS?

What is ALEKS?

East Stroudsburg University (ESU) 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 30 questions and generally takes 60-90 minutes to complete. After the Placement Assessment, an individualized Prep and Learning Module is available for students to refresh their knowledge on forgotten topics. Students then have the opportunity to reassess and improve their placement.

ALEKS consists of three parts:

• An Initial Placement Assessment
• The Prep and Learning Module, an individualized, self-paced online review
• Access to four additional Placement Assessments

ESU 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 his/her 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 he/she will be successful in mathematics courses.

How to access ALEKS PPL

The ALEKS PPL assessment will include about 30 open-ended questions. You will have 24 hours to complete the assessment. Most students spend 60 – 90 minutes on the assessment. We recommend finding a quiet place to take the assessment and giving yourself two hours to work on it.

You will need only scrap paper and a pencil or pen. The program has a built-in calculator for questions that need a calculator. You should not use a calculator other than the one provided by ALEKS. When no calculator is provided, you should answer the question without using a calculator.

How to interpret my ALEKS PPL score.

Use the table below to see which course(s) you’re ALEKS PPL score shows you are ready to attempt. Note that most courses don’t have an upper limit. Any student who meets the minimum threshold can take those courses. The courses with upper limits are designed for students who might benefit from extra support in their math classes.

I didn’t place into the math class I want to take. Can I retake the ALEKS PPL assessment and place into a different class?

Yes. You must wait 48 hours and complete some of the Prep and Learning Modules before you can retake the ALEKS PPL assessment.

• Between first and second attempt: spend 3 hours working in the Prep and Learning Modules
• Between second and third attempt: spend 5 hours working in the Prep and Learning Modules
• Between third and fourth attempt: spend 5 hours working in the Prep and Learning Modules
• Between fourth and fifth attempt: spend 8 hours working in the Prep and Learning Modules

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