Assessment and Learning in Knowledge Spaces Placement, Preparation and Learning (ALEKS PPL)

The difference is that a Placement Assessment is designed to determine what a student knows and what a student needs to work on. 

Although it isn't a formal test, students should give an honest effort so the Placement Assessment can provide a true reflection of their current level of knowledge and math preparedness. Students should avoid using any other resources for assistance during the assessment, such as friends, family, the internet, textbooks, notes, etc., as this could distort the results and lead to them enrolling in an overly hard or underly challenging course.

• Yes, proctoring will be done using Respondus. Respondus proctoring requires a camera and a microphone.
  • Learn more about Respondus at UNG (login required)
• UNG reserves the right to require a student to take a Placement Assessment in a proctored environment.

UNG recommends that you start at least three weeks before your scheduled orientation session. This will give you time to utilize the Prep and Learning Modules before taking additional Placement Assessments as needed.

Your Academic Advisor will use your updated score to change your course schedule as needed.

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, review the ALEKS system requirements.

The length of the assessement 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 UNG.

Topics covered:

• Real numbers (including fractions, integers, and percentages)
• Equations and inequalities (including linear equations, linear inequalities, systems of linear equations, and quadratic equations),
• Linear and quadratic functions (including graphs and functions, linear functions, and parabolas), exponents and polynomials (including integer exponents, polynomial arithmetic, factoring, and polynomial equations), rational expressions (including rational equations and rational functions
• Radical expressions (including higher roots and rational exponents)
• Exponentials and logarithms (including function compositions and inverse functions, properties of logarithms, and logarithmic equations)
• Geometry and trigonometry (including perimeter, area, and volume, coordinate geometry, trigonometric functions, and identities and equations).

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.

Your placement result will be based on what you have completed in the alotted two-hour time limit. This may not be a true reflection of your abilities.

If your initial score is not satisfactory, you may retake the assessment after a 48-hour waiting period. 

Your placement result (overall score) is a number between 0 and 100. It represents the percentage of topics ALEKS has identified you have mastered.

You will receive your score immediately upon completion of your Placement Assessment. We recommend taking a screenshot of your score and keeping it for your records.

Your ALEKS score can be viewed by re-entering ALEKS using the same access link for which you took the Placement Assessment.

Your scores are automatically added to your student tranguid in banner, which is accessible by your advisor.

Your scores will be verified by the math department before the semester begins.

Your placement result is valid for up to 12 months.

If you do not achieve the minimum placement result for the class of your choice, you will have the opportunity to retake an assessment after 48 hours. You may take up to three reassessments.

An individualized study plan will be created based on your performance on the initial Placement Assessment. In order to help you prepare for your next attempt, ALEKS will determine what you already know and what you are ready to study next. You can then use the Prep and Learning Modules to review any information you may have forgotten.

You can retake the Placement Assessment up to three 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.

Requirements

• Second attempt - five hours of work before attempting assessment
• Third attempt - five additional hours of work before attempting assessment
• Fourth attempt - eight additional hours of work before attempting assessment