ALEKS Placement, Preparation, and Learning (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.
ALEKS consists of three parts:
*View instructions on getting started in the box to the right.
Florida Poly utilizes ALEKS PPL Assessment to assisting in determining student readiness for mathematics courses. While it is the primary indicator of math placement, the Mathematics Department also considers a student’s academic preparedness through the rigor of their transcript, final grades, and other academic indicators to assess the best course sequence for new students. While we ask ALL incoming students to take the ALEKS PPL, we understand many of our students bring in advanced credits from dual enrollment, other college coursework, AP, IB, CLEP, and AICE exams. Students earning previous credit for either MAC 1147 or MAC 2311 will be placed accordingly.
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 test score, which could result in a higher mathematics course placement.
Florida Poly 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 are used to determine the most appropriate courses
for each student as they move forward with college coursework. After taking a placement
assessment, students will meeting with an Student Success coach prior to their first term to review their results and enroll in the best class 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 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.
Refer to the Student Code of Conduct for more information about the behavioral rights and responsibilities of University students and student organizations.
Download these step-by-step instructions for details on how to create and register your account.
The placement assessment is used to determine the mathematics course in which you will have the greatest success. Upon completion of the assessments, your scores are sent to your academic advisor. Your advisor will review your scores and help make appropriate recommendations for course registration.
All new students, incoming freshmen or transfer, who wish to take any of the courses listed below,, except for those students who have transfer credit for MAC 2313 or above or for students who have accelerated calculus credit through AP, IB, AICE, or CLEP. Current students who have already taken MAC 1147 and didn't meet the prerequisite requirement to enroll in MAC 2311 will not be able to use ALEKS for placement.
You can take the assessment as soon as you enroll. Note that there are limitations on the number of assessments you can do as well as the time required between assessments (48 hours).
| Semester Attending | Dates |
|---|---|
| Spring 2024 | Oct. 6, 2023-Dec. 15, 2023 |
| Summer 2024 | Nov. 15, 2023-May 15, 2024 |
| Fall 2024 | Nov. 15, 2023-June. 1, 2024 |
No. See the section above on being honest about your use of the ALEKS PPL since there is no benefit to cheating on the ALEKS PPL.
You will pay $25 for ALEKS with a credit card before you begin.
No. There are no required plug-ins or applets required with your use of ALEKS PPL. As long as you have access to the internet and are using an updated browser, you should not experience difficulties in taking your Placement Assessment. For a list of preferred browsers, please review the ALEKS system requirements on their support site.
ALEKS PPL is an online, adaptive system that covers a broad spectrum of mathematics topics. The length of the placement assessment will vary, but can be up to 30 questions. You will see some, but not all, of the math you have learned in high school. It is a placement assessment, not a preview of math courses at Florida Poly. It is designed to identify if you are prepared for a particular course. After you take your first placement assessment, you will have the opportunity to review and master additional topics to reassess and improve your placement.
Topics covered:
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 placement assessment, select the help button below the answer pallet tools. Going to the tutorial during your placement assessment will NOT impact your results.
ALEKS is not a multiple-choice placement assessment. It is open-response and requires you to work out solutions with a paper and pencil, then enter them into ALEKS. Be sure to have scratch paper with you.
ALEKS will provide an on-screen calculator if you need one to complete a particular problem. Otherwise, you may not use a calculator.
You may only use a pen or pencil, paper, and the resources provided within ALEKS. You should not receive assistance from friends, family, other websites, textbooks, or any other resource not provided by ALEKS. Using outside resources will lead to improper placement and potentially course failure.
Refer to the Student Code of Conduct for more information about the behavioral rights and responsibilities of University students and student organizations.
Because ALEKS is adaptive, once you submit an answer, you cannot change it. Be sure to carefully check your answer before submitting your response.
It is likely that you will be asked questions on material you have not yet learned. On such questions it is appropriate to answer "I don’t know." On any question that you have familiarity with; however, it is important to do your best. I don’t know is interpreted by ALEKS to mean that you do not know how to solve the topic, and this will be reflected in the results. There is no penalty for incorrectly answering a question, it only helps ALEKS understand what you know and don’t know.
Yes, in that you have 24 hours to complete the assessment at your own pace after you begin. If you need to exit the assessment for any reason, you will be able to log back in and pick up where you left off, provided you stay within the 24 hour time limit.
If the placement assessment is unproctored, you will have to restart the assessment. If the incomplete placement assessment is proctored and timed, you will be given a placement result, but it will not be a true reflection of your abilities.
Download these step-by-step instructions for details on how to create and register your account.
Your placement result (overall score) is a number between 0 and 100. It represents the percentage of topics ALEKS has identified you have mastered.
Course placement is determined using the table below.
| Course # | Course Name | ALEKS Score Range |
|---|---|---|
| MAC 1147 | Precalculus Algebra and Trigonometry | 0-69 |
| MAC 2311 | Analytic Geometry and Calculus I | 70-100 |
Your placement result is valid for 12 months.
This is a perfect opportunity to take advantage of the Prep and Learning Modules offered within ALEKS PPL. An individualized study plan will be created based on your performance on the initial placement assessment. ALEKS will identify what you know and what you are ready to learn next so you can brush up on lost knowledge.
There is no guarantee. You must achieve the minimum placement result to take each corresponding class or be reviewed and place by the Mathematics Department.
Please refer to the Academic Catalog or consult with an Student Success coach.
Congratulations! Continue to use your Prep and Learning Module to improve your chances for success. The placement result required is the minimum preparation for your course. Take advantage of the individualized review and learning features in ALEKS to get a better grade in your class.
Yes, you may take up to four additional placement assessments. However, to make each attempt worthwhile, it is important that you spend time working in your ALEKS Prep and Learning Module between placement assessments so you can improve your skills. The skills gained in your Prep and Learning Module will help to increase your performance on future placement assessments.
You must wait 48 hours between placement assessments. There is generally no benefit to re-taking the placement assessment immediately after completing a prior attempt. You cannot improve your results by simply re-taking the placement assessment without spending time in the Prep and Learning Module to refresh material that you may have forgotten.
You will have six months of access to your Prep and Learning module. Access to the prep course will not begin until you select start on the top of your screen. DO NOT select into the Prep and Learning Module until you are ready to start working.
Access to a Prep and Learning Module is included along with the additional placement assessments.
You can retake the placement assessments up to four additional times to improve your score. (The highest score will be used for math placement). Students are required to work in the Prep and Learning Modules for a specific amount of time prior to each Placement Assessment to increase success.
While working in a Prep and Learning Module, you will periodically complete a Knowledge Check to make sure you have mastered the topics you gained in Learning Mode. If you do not show mastery during the Knowledge Check, the topics will be added back into your Learning Pie so you can review them again.
No. You must complete a new placement assessment to change your placement result. Select the placement tab in the upper right corner of the ALEKS page to start a new placement assessment.
No. You may only use one Prep and Learning Module. If you are unsure which module to select, use the module recommended by ALEKS or consult with an Student Success coach.
Close the browser, or log out and log back in. ALEKS will resume the placement assessment exactly where you left off, with no loss of your previous answers.
