Mathematics Placement Assessment

Overview

Success in college begins with appropriate course placement. A student's first math course is critical to that success. The Academic Advising Office will review placement assessment scores and major math requirements to determine the appropriate math course for each student. Not all students will be required to take the Math Placement Assessment. Only those students who received an email invitation must complete the assessment. Please note that not all students take a math course in their first semester.

ALEKS Placement

With a unique combination of adaptive assessment and personalized learning, ALEKS Placement, Preparation and Learning (ALEKS PPL) accurately measures each student's math foundation and creates a personalized learning module to review and refresh lost knowledge. This allows students to be placed and successful in the right course, expediting students’ paths to completing their degrees.

1. No outside assistance is permitted. Each student has a unique knowledge state that consists of the math topics he/she knows, does not know and is ready to learn. The ALEKS placement assessment determines the unique knowledge state of each student. The system can then properly place students into a course based on their math abilities. Outside assistance includes getting help from others and from other materials. Other individuals are not to be in the room while you are taking the test.
2. The webcam and lockdown browser are how students are proctored so the webcam lens must not be covered up or otherwise obscured. It should always show the student’s face.
3. No outside calculators are permitted. A calculator icon will appear on the screen when it is allowed to be used. Blank paper and a pen/pencil are allowed for students to work out problems, however.
4. No use of cell phones or other electronic devices are permitted.

Once students have begun the Math Placement Assessment, the assessment will take anywhere from 90–120 minutes. Students can have up to three (3) hours to complete the assessment. Students cannot save their place and come back to the test at a later time.

Getting Started (Please read ALL steps)

Tips

• Avoid wearing baseball caps or hats that extend beyond the forehead.
• If using a notebook computer, place it on a firm surface like a desk or table, not your lap.
• If the webcam is built into the screen, avoid making screen adjustments after the exam starts. A common mistake is to push the screen back, resulting in only the top portion of the face being recorded.
• Do not lie down on a couch or bed while taking an exam. There is a greater chance you will move out of the video frame or change your relative position to the webcam.
• Do not take an exam in a dark room. If the details of your face do not show clearly during the webcam check, the automated video analysis is more likely to flag you as missing.
• Avoid backlighting situations, such as sitting with your back to a window. The general rule is to have light in front of your face, not behind your head.
• Select a distraction-free environment for the exam. Televisions and other people in the room can draw your attention away from the screen. Other people that come into view of the webcam may also trigger flags by the automated system.

Steps

1. Visit www.aleks.com and click on "Sign Up".  Enter the class code provided to you in the email.
2. Before getting started, you will be asked to fill out a very brief survey regarding your last math class. Please fill out the survey to the best of your ability.
3. ALEKS will begin with a brief tutorial to make sure you are comfortable with the math palette tools before your Placement Assessment begins. The tutorial shows you how to enter different types of answers, how to use the ALEKS calculator and how to graph. If you aren't sure how to input an answer or need help while you are taking the ALEKS Placement Assessment, select the Help button below the answer pallet tools. Going to the tutorial during your Placement Assessment will NOT impact your Placement Assessment results.
4. The ALEKS placement assessment uses Lockdown Browser. After you finish the tutorial, ALEKS will ask you to download Lockdown Browser. Even if you have previously downloaded Lockdown Browser for a course or assignment, you will still need to download this version as it is unique to ALEKS Placement Assessment. If you have any issues, please refer to our FAQs below.
5. This placement assessment also uses Respondus Monitor. This system requires a working webcam. Again, if you have any questions in regard to this please see our FAQs.
6. ALEKS will ask you for a proctor password: UTAMPA2023.
7. You will have three hours to take the assessment. Good luck!

Review your score.

After completing the Placement Assessment, you will see your score. You will then be able to see what class you placed into and view cut score information.

If you are not happy with your placement, we strongly urge you to work on the ALEKS prep module. After 72 hours you can take the ALEKS Mathematics Placement Assessment again. You will likely score higher than you just did and hopefully place into the course you need. For Fall 2023 admits, to make sure your advisor has the most accurate placement information to build your schedule please complete your first attempt and any reassessments by June 19, 2023. Students who take reassessments after June 19, 2023, will be able to make changes to their schedule after July 10, 2023, but seat availability will not be guaranteed. Please note that not all first-year students take math courses in their first semester.

The following table can be used to determine which class you are eligible to take based on your Math Placement Assessment score.

Retaking the Math Placement Assessment

It is highly encouraged to retake the assessment at least one other time if you are not happy with your results. You have up to five attempts on the Placement Assessment. Before retaking the assessment, however, you will need to review and spend some time in the learning modules.

To access your learning modules, you will need to log back into your ALEKS account as if you are going to take the assessment again. After you log in, select START MY PATH from the Primary Guidance Menu to start your module work. Please note you will only be able to choose one of the offered paths. Once you choose one, you will not be able to change it. There is a cool-off period of 72 hours before you can access your second attempt. You will also not be able to access your second attempt until you log 5 hours or more of prep and learning module work.

Frequently Asked Questions

I have a question that was not answered from the FAQs.
Please contact advising@ut.edu for any unanswered questions.