Assessment and Placement

Understanding Math Placement  

Accurate placement into college math courses is vital to student success. With a unique combination of adaptive assessment and personalized learning, ALEKS Placement, Preparation and Learning (PPL) measures each student's math foundation to accurately place students in appropriate math courses.  Additionally, ALEKS PPL creates personalized learning modules for students to prepare for college math courses by reviewing and refreshing lost knowledge. 

The following students are required to complete ALEKS to determine their initial placement in a math class:  

• Any student who is test optional and whose major requires Math 116 (Pre-calculus), 117 (calculus), or 125 (Business calculus).
• Any student whose major requires MATH 116, 117, or 125 and whose ACT math subscore does not meet the Math Department’s guidelines for placement in the required course.

If you are required to complete the math placement, your Academic Advisor will reach out to you with further information. Students do not have to take the ALEKS placement if they have earned credit for Math 116, 117, or 125 (or their equivalents) by way of:

• Transfer or dual credit from a community college or university, or
• CLEP Credit, or
• AP Credit, or
• IB Credit

If a student has credit for Math 105 via transfer/dual credit or CLEP, then the student may enroll in Math 116 or 125 without completing ALEKS, but would need to complete ALEKS to enroll in Math 117. 

ALEKS Policy and Information

• You have 3 hours to complete the assessment exam.
• The length of the exam is approximately 30 questions. You may use a pencil and paper. A calculator will be provided by ALEKS PPL when needed.  
• There is a 48-hour waiting period between placement assessments. All students must engage in a minimum of 5 hours in the learning module between each assessment after the first assessment.
• Incoming students may take up to 3 assessments. If retaking the assessment, you must complete the assessment prior to the first day of the semester.
• ALEKS PPL includes assessment exams and access to the learning module in a 12-month period. 

Score requirements

The following ALEKS PPL score requirements/recommendations are in effect for all students:

If you want to place into a higher-level course, you may use ALEKS learning modules to practice your skills and retake the assessment.

Academic Honesty

• Complete the exam on your own. Books, other materials, the Internet, or consulting with others are not allowed during the exam.
• Be honest. Misrepresenting your math knowledge can significantly decrease your chances of success in your math course. 

Cost

The ALEKS is FREE to all incoming and current Bellarmine students.

FAQS

• Where can I find my score? 
  • You can always see your score immediately by reentering ALEKS PPL. Once you know your score, you can compare it to the required scores. 
• What if I do not obtain the required minimum score for MATH 116, 117 or 125? 
  • You may enroll in the course you placed in.

      OR

  • You can also choose to complete 5 hours of learning modules and retake the ALEKS PPL assessment exam.
• What if I am underdeclared or want to change my major?
  • That is okay! You may request to take the placement exam if you are considering a major that needs one of the following courses: Pre-Calculus, Calculus, Business Calculus. Please talk to your advisor for more information.

Contact

Advising

Contact your Academic Advisor or Lory King, Associate Dean of Academic Advising, with any questions or concerns. 

Technical Support

For ALEKS customer support, please phone or email:
Phone: 1-800-258-2374
Email: http://support.aleks.com
website: https://mhedu.force.com/CXG/s/article/ALEKS-Frequently-Asked-Questions
Hours (CDT):

• Monday – Thursday (6:00am – 12:00am)
• Friday (6:00am – 8:00pm)
• Sunday (3:00pm – 12:00am)

Writing Diagnostic

All incoming students are required to complete a writing assessment. This diagnostic is designed to understand students’ reading and writing proficiency to ensure preparation for and success in writing at the college level.  Students will write a short essay in response to a prompt and complete a self-assessment.