Math Placement

ALEKS PPL is a powerful artificial-intelligence based assessment tool that zeroes in on the strengths and weaknesses of a student's mathematical knowledge, reports its findings to the student, and if necessary provides the student with a learning environment for bringing this knowledge up to an appropriate level for course placement.

• The ALEKS Placement Assessment covers material from Basic Math through Precalculus.
• The exam is an open-response, adaptive assessment that covers hundreds of topics in 30 questions or less (it is not multiple choice).
• The assessment is untimed but you must complete it within 3 hours of when you begin.
• Placement assessments require an average of 90 minutes to complete but the amount of time will vary by student.

• You will need paper and a pen or pencil. No other items are permitted to be used during the exam.
• ALEKS will provide an on-screen calculator if you need one to complete a particular problem. Otherwise, you are not allowed to use a calculator.
• You may not receive assistance from family, friends, other websites, textbooks or any other resource not provided by ALEKS.
• Use of outside resources including calculators, notes, books, or websites, may lead to improper placement and course failure and is considered cheating.
• The Mathematics Department reserves the right to require a student whose ALEKS PPL Assessment is inconsistent with other assessments to retest under proctored conditions. If a student is found to have cheated, the student will be in violation of the SUNY Oswego Academic Integrity Code and subject to its penalties.

• Your score will be automatically uploaded into myOswego before you can register for your math class. The process may take up to 24 hours.
• You may check the meaning of your score on the Prerequisite and placement score information page.
• If you are not satisfied with your placement results, you may retake the ALEKS PPL Assessment up to four times.
• After the assessment, a targeted Prep and Learning Module is available for you to review and learn the material, and to improve placement and eventual course outcomes.
• Before you can retake an assessment you must work in the Prep and Learning Module a minimum of three hours (1st retake), five hours (subsequent retakes).
• There is a 48-hour waiting period between reassessments.
• Your highest assessment score will be used for course placement.
• Your score is valid for 12 months. If your score expires between registration and the first day of classes you must purchase a new subscription and retake the exam or you will be deregistered as your prerequisite will no longer be valid.

There is a preparation and learning module available in the ALEKS PPL program after you complete the exam the first time. This module offers a collection of practice problems and explanatory material available to help you review and learn the material, and to improve placement and eventual course outcomes.

• The Prep and Learning Module available to you is chosen by the ALEKS program, based on your initial ALEKS PPL assessment performance.
• After you finish the Initial Assessment, you will see your ALEKS Learning Pie. This pie represents your current knowledge of the course material. Notice that ALEKS has assessed that you already know some of the material!
• Even if you have achieved placement in your desired course, time spent in the ALEKS Prep and Learning Module will better prepare you for your upcoming course and ultimately lead to better grades.
• You will have six months of access from the time you start using your Prep and Learning Module.
• The cost for the Prep and Learning Module is included in your ALEKS PPL subscription.
• Progress made in the Prep and Learning Module will not count towards your placement score. You must complete a new placement assessment in order to change your placement result.
• While working in the Prep and Learning Module, you may consult other sources such as textbooks, websites, and tutors if you choose to do so.

Prep and Learning Modules expire 6 months from when you first access them. You must complete 3 to 5 hours in the Prep and Learning modules and wait 48 hours prior to testing again. If your modules expire you will not be able to test again unless you purchase a new subscription.

• ALEKS PPL FAQ
• ALEKS PPL Support

If you have a disabling condition that may interfere with your ability to successfully complete any exam, please email [email protected]. If you have not already done so, you may complete the Accessibility Resource Services Special Needs Identification form.

There is no cost to you for your initial subscription to ALEKS PPL. You may need to pay for any subsequent subscriptions if you do not register for the course prior to your score or subscription expiring.