What is the math placement assessment through ALEKS?
The Math Placement assessment through ALEKS covers a broad spectrum of pre-calculus material.
The ALEKS system is fully automated and the ALEKS assessment is adaptive.
The first questions asked will be drawn from across the pre-calculus curriculum, and may be too easy or too hard.
As the assessment proceeds, your answers will be used to give the system an idea of your abilities, and it will gradually focus the questioning in an appropriate way.
By the end of the assessment you should find the questions generally challenging but reasonable for your knowledge level.
The length of the assessment runs from 20 to 35 questions. 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 the topic, and this will be reflected in the assessment results. If you do not do your best on the assessment, ALEKS will underestimate your abilities and this will affect your placement recommendation.
Who is required to take the math assessment through ALEKS?
All new incoming and transfer students who plan to enroll in a math or statistics course at Iowa State are required to take the math placement assessment through ALEKS. Students should contact their academic college prior to orientation if they believe they have fulfilled their math requirements.
How do I access the math placement assessment through ALEKS?
The ALEKS placement assessment is available through your Admissions MyAccount.
Additionally, you may login to your Iowa State sign-on dashboard and search for “ALEKS”.
You can contact ALEKS by email through: https://mhedu.force.com/aleks/s/
A Customer Support number for ALEKS is 800-258-2374.
How long is my ALEKS score valid for? Can I use ALEKS from other institutions to place into Iowa State University’s courses?
The ALEKS score is valid for one year from the date taken or one year prior to the advising appointment. Scores from other Iowa Regents Universities and Community Colleges are also accepted for one year. ALEKS scores can be accepted from any institution which uses ALEKS PPL.
The student is responsible for providing documentation of their previous score. Students should be prepared to provide their advisor a screenshot of their previous score, as Iowa State University does not have access to records taken through a different institution. Be sure the student’s name is visible in the screen shot.
Does the ALEKS Exam require proctoring?
Students are allowed 5 attempts with the ALEKS placement exam. The first attempt does not require proctoring; all subsequent attempts require proctoring.
What are the formats allowed for proctoring?
Students will be able to select from several options for proctoring. Option 1 utilizes proctoring services that are available in the Iowa State University testing centers on-campus. The Testing Center will provide access to students who wish to utilize the option during on-campus orientation. The Hixson-Lied testing location will be open for a few hours on the evening of the first day of orientation. Students can schedule exams in advance through RegisterBlast. Students may also take the exam during regular summer hours, including near the start of the semester. Option 2 utilizes Respondus Monitor for virtual proctoring; students would be able to take the exam off-campus with this option. Students will be required to pay the fee associated to using Respondus Monitor.
How do students utilize the on-campus proctoring services during orientation?
During orientation, students can schedule through RegisterBlast, allowing them to book in advance if they plan to take their subsequent attempt while on campus. The Testing Center will also accommodate walk-up registrations, subject to space availability. Students can contact the Testing Center for information regarding availability. Additionally, with the Respondus Monitor option, students may opt to take a subsequent attempt anywhere else on campus, in the evening if they prefer.
What are the fees associated to the proctoring services?
Students who take the exam on-campus in a university testing center incur no fees. Students who choose to utilize Respondus Monitor will pay the usage fee at the current rate. This fee covers all subsequent attempts during the active cohort cycle.
Can students take the ALEKS exam immediately before the beginning of the semester?
Yes. Students that will be taking subsequent attempts that require proctoring can do so in the days leading to the start of the semester. The Testing Center will arrange specific days and times for pre-registered appointments. Students can contact the Testing Center for information regarding scheduling.
What if students take the ALEKS exam several times which are over 1 year apart?
The ALEKS system accounts student attempts only during the active cohort, so a student may take the exam again during a subsequent cohort without requiring a proctor on that first administration. Example: a student can take ALEKS once during the cohort that runs January 2026 – January 2027 without requiring proctoring, then again during the cohort that runs January 2027 – January 2028 also without requiring proctoring.
If a student takes the ALEKS exam while on-campus for orientation during the evening of the first day, will the new score be available in time for advising meetings on the second day?
Yes. Representatives from McGraw-Hill, the publisher of the ALEKS platform, indicate that the scores from attempts are immediately accessible to users in ALEKS as well as platforms that pull data from the ALEKS system.
