ALEKS Math Placement Exam

The ALEKS Math Placement Exam (or ALEKS "PPL") is offered to students who do not otherwise meet the prerequisites to place into an introductory math course outlined in our Math Placement for Undergraduates page. The University of Arkansas is a test-optional campus, so the exam is not necessarily required (except in some circumstances for remedial-math, Online Campus students).

Each assessment attempt is up to 30 questions and generally takes 60-90 minutes to complete; but the first attempt is for practice!

The cost of the ALEKS PPL package is $25.00; payment is processed after you create your ALEKS account and the price may vary based on where the access is purchased. The ALEKS PPL package includes annual access to the Prep and Learning Modules and five exam attempts (one practice, four proctored). Students do not pay separately for sending their scores or accessing multiple attempts.

For taking the proctored attempts online, the University uses the Respondus LockDown Browser, which comes at no cost to the student.

ALEKS Exam Timeline

Create Your ALEKS PPL Account
Take the Practice Attempt

⯃ Study with Prep and Learning Modules ⯃

Take the Proctored Attempt
- In-Person on Campus
- Remote with LockDown Browser
- (Optional) Retake the Exam
Understand Your Score

Math Placement Alternatives

It is important that students understand the Math Placement Exam...

...is for placement only; and does not allow students to gain credit for classes they may "test out of."
...may only be used by our department for MATH and STAT classes, and other departments may not accept it.
...is not transferable into our outside of the University of Arkansas, even if the other institution uses ALEKS as well.

If the ALEKS Exam isn't a good fit for the student after all, there are other exam scores and credits accepted the University which are also acceptable.

1) Creating Your ALEKS PPL Account

To create, and continue accessing, your ALEKS Math Placement Exam account log-in with your University email.

ALEKS Math Placement Exam Log-in

If you're presented with the option to pair any existing accounts, or cannot access your ALEKS account, submit an ALEKS Math Placement Exam Issue Ticket.

Note: Our University's Testing Cycle resets between mid-February and early-March, but active ALEKS PPL accounts can be extended into the next Testing Cycle if requested.

2) Take the Practice Attempt

It is important that you demonstrate your initial mathematical skills in the practice attempt; for unfamiliar problems you do not know how to solve, mark “I don’t know” and move on. On any question that you have familiarity with, however, it is important to do your best.

Upon completing the practice exam, you may be prompted to choose a study plan. Regardless of the desired course, choose the “Preparation for Calculus” study plan for reviewing a broader range of topics, prior to placement. The Math Placement Exam tests the student's topical knowledge of Pre-Algebra to Calculus, all in the same attempt, so points scored in higher level curricula are counted as points earned overall.

After choosing your study plan, you will be required to work in the ALEKS Prep & Learning Modules for at least 3 hours per attempt and may be coupled by a cooldown period before you can take the next attempt.

Note: First Attempt is for Practice! All other attempts after that are counted towards placement.

Note: To mimic your environment, you may consider taking the practice attempt without a calculator or any reference materials as these will not be allowed in later proctored attempts.

3) Take the Proctored Attempt

Before beginning, it is important that the student clear the area around them, and have scratch paper and a writing utensil at the ready. We also encourage students go take the time to go through the ALEKS Troubleshooter - and for remote exams to also open the Respondus LockDown Browser - to verify their device is working properly.

Since your ALEKS account connects to your University account; make sure to also verify your Multi-Factor Authentication is working properly before the exam; for example, sign into your email or Workday which uses the same sign-in process.

Prohibited Materials and the Academic Honesty Policy

$No Calculators Allowed$ Students may NOT receive assistance from friends, family, other websites, textbooks, or any other resource not provided by ALEKS in the proctored attempts. The use of a handheld calculator is also prohibited.There are serious consequences and no benefit to cheating on the placement exam as you may enroll in a class that you are underprepared, or overprepared, for potentially costing you time and money.

Any incident of using unauthorized materials or outside help on a proctored placement exam will be reported to the All-University Academic Integrity Board for adjudication. This may result in sanctions beyond just the invalidation of the placement result itself.

Review the University of Arkansas Academic Integrity Policy for more information regarding academic honesty policies and sanctions for academic dishonesty.

Note: When taking the proctored attempt, calculators and other resources outside of ALEKS are prohibited; using these is grounds for violation of the Academic Honesty Policy.

Note: Password for Proctored Attempts will be input by the proctor only.

Note: If you are unsure how to input an answer, click the "Help" button below the answer pallet tools. Once you submit an answer, you cannot go back and change it; it is important you take your time.

Note: It is ideal that each attempt take about an hour or two; however, students have a 24-hour window of starting the exam to complete the exam. Students must coordinate breaks with their proctor during the exam.

Taking Proctored Attempt... on Campus

For in-person proctored attempts, students may walk-into our department's Champions Hall Testing Center in CHPN 327.

The most up-to-date hours of operation can be found on our MRTC page.

You MUST bring your current University ID for admission; if you do not have one, please visit the Campus Card Office for a new or replacement ID.

You will also be asked to leave any belongings in the Testing Center lobby and to turn off any electronic devicesas to not disturb other test takers and protect yourself against Academic Dishonesty.

Taking Proctored Attempt... Remotely

Students may take the ALEKS PPL remotely utilizing Respondus Monitor at no additional cost. The Respondus LockDown Browser must be downloaded and installed on the student's machine (which must have a webcam and microphone, without a headset) - or one can be rented from the Student Technology Center.

Download and Install Respondus LockDown Browser

Remote exams must be taken in a private, secure environment without disruption.
- Your computer will need a reliable, fast internet connection, a webcam, and a microphone.
- All students must show an ID and a 360-degree room scan of their testing area during the check-in process.
- Scratch paper and a pencil/pen are allowed, but make sure your workspace is clear of books, phones, calculators, etc.
- Anytime a calculator is allowed, it will be built into the exam.

The testing session is recorded, and the system flags suspected irregularities, which are manually reviewed by University of Arkansas staff.
- No outside resources are permitted for the ALEKS exam. You should not communicate with other people while taking the exam.
- Don’t wear headphones, a cap, or earbuds while taking the exam.
- Ensure your webcam is far enough away from you that your face, torso, hands, and workspace are viewable by the camera at all times.

Taking Proctored Attempt... Multiple Times

Between attempts, students may be required to complete assigned hours in the Prep and Learning Modules and wait up to 24 hours before beginning each attempt. If multiple attempts are taken, we use the highest of the proctored scores for math placement.

Students are only allowed the one practice exam attempt and four proctored attempts and are NOT allowed any additional attempts until their ALEKS access expires after a one year period.

4) Understanding Your Score

Students will immediately receive a score, out of 100, upon the completion of an attempt; and this score is then compared with the minimum cut-off scores listed on our Math Placement for Undergraduates page and the table below.

Note: Scores on the Math Placement Exam do not count for credit hours and do not solely fulfill degree requirements. Placement scores may also only be relevant towards MATH and STAT coded courses for placement.

Proctored MPE Score	Qualifying Course Titles
Proctored MPE Score	Course Name	Common Course Number
30	College Algebra with 1 Hour Lab	MATH 11003 with 00101
40	Quantitative Reasoning	MATH 11103
46	College Algebra	MATH 11003
50	Principles of Statistics	MATH 21003
55	Survey of Mathematical Structures I	MATH 22103
60	Trigonometry Precalculus Survey of Calculus Finite Mathematics Mathematical Reasoning in a Quantitative World	MATH 12003 MATH 13004 MATH 22003 MATH 20503 MATH 21803
70	Calculus I with Review	MATH 24005
76	Calculus I	MATH 24004

Updated: 6/4/2025

For those who do not wish to take the Math Placement Exam, but are still considered remedial-math students, there are other avenues to consider:

Enroll in a Math Remediation Course for Credit
- On-campus program students may have the option to take MATH remediation courses, which either meet more days of the week or for longer periods of time.
- Keep in mind that the classes' longer meeting times equate to taking more credit hours and higher tuition costs.
- If the student is having issues with enrolling, or doesn't know which class they qualify for, please have them fill out an Override Form.
Other Tests Accepted for Placement
- Our department also accepts scores for placement from the math portions of the ACT and SAT. These exams are offered in-person through University Testing Services or can be transferred from being taken at another institution (ACT Testing Centers, SAT Testing Centers).
- For College Algebra and Quantitative Reasoning, we also accept the math subject ACCUPLACER exams.
Other Tests Accepted for Credit
- For those who may be interested in taking an exam for a class, instead of placing into and passing one, the University does recognize credit gained from scoring high enough on some tests. University Testing Services does offer the AP, CLEP, and IB.
- Credits gained this way do not count for gained credit hours taken and may impact the student's degree requirements. It is important that the student talk with their advisor to verify how taking one of these exams may impact their career at the University.
Taking Courses outside of the University for Transfer Credit
- For those who cannot attend classes at the University in-person, remote students may take the course at another institution for transfer credit.
- It is important that students check the Registrar's Course Equivalency Tool to make sure the other course will transfer to our institution without issue.

A full page detailing the tests with their minium cut-off scores, and the courses which may be used to satisfy outstanding prerequisites, are available on the Math Placement for Undergraduates page.