Image shows a laptop workstation with a laptop screen showing a webpage with the ALEKS Score Chart.
2024 - 2025 Placement Tests are open!
Please complete ASAP before attending New Wings.
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Image shows the number 1 in a blue box with text “Start with a Plan. The goal of math placement is to enroll in the class that is right for you. This takes time.”

The Purpose of Placement

What is the purpose of placement testing? The results will be used to determine the most appropriate courses for each student as they move forward with college coursework. After taking an ALEKS placement test, students should meet with their advisor to review their results and enroll in the best classes based on their scores.

ALEKS placement test is designed to determine what a student knows and what a student needs to work on. At the end of the test, students will have a much better sense of their 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. 

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Image shows the number 3 in a blue box with text “Are there any restrictions? Yes, you will need to complete the test alone. You may use a pen/pencil, paper, and resources provided by ALEKS.”

What are the test rules?

What is the format of the questions on ALEKS?

ALEKS is not a multiple-choice placement test. 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.

May I use a calculator while using ALEKS?

ALEKS will provide an on-screen calculator if you need one to complete a particular problem. Otherwise, you may not use a calculator.

May I use any other resources during a placement test?

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. It is a violation of the institution’s honor code.

Can I review a question after I've answered it?

Because ALEKS is adaptive, once you submit an answer, you cannot change it. Be sure to carefully check your answer before submitting your response.

What if I see questions I don’t know?  

It's likely you'll be asked questions on topics you haven't learned yet. For these questions, feel free to simply answer, "I don't know." Answering "I don't know" is interpreted by ALEKS to mean that you haven't learned how to answer questions or solve problems on that topic, and this will be reflected in the placement test results. There's no penalty for incorrectly answering a question on the placement test: it only helps ALEKS understand what you know and don't know. For any questions you're already familiar with, it's important to do your best at answering it correctly. 

Are placement tests timed?

The system will allow you to access your placement test for 2 hours. The ALEKS program will automatically log out after 30 minutes of inactivity. If this happens, you will need to begin the test again.

What happens if I do not complete a placement test in the allotted time?

Since our placement test is proctored and timed, you will be given a placement result, but it will not be a true reflection of your abilities. Please use the practice materials and take another attempt. 

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Image shows the number 4 in a blue box with text “Being Prepared. We recommend that you take a practice test to learn the system. You will be able to attempt the test 5 times.”

Practice Tests and Learning Resources

How long do I have access to my Prep and Learning Module (PPL)?

You will have six months of access to your Prep and Learning module. Access to the prep course begins once you select "start" at the top of your screen. Do not select "start" until you're ready to start working.

Is there an additional fee for my Prep and Learning Module?

Access to a Prep and Learning Module is included along with the additional placement tests.

What if I do not place into the course I wanted?

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 test. ALEKS will identify what you know and what you are ready to learn next so you can brush up on lost knowledge.

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Image shows the number 5 in a blue box with text “Topics Covered. See the ALEKS Topics and Problem Types document to learn what the test covers.”

What's on the ALEKS Math Placement Test?

  • 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).
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Image shows the number 6 in a blue box with text “Accommodations. Contact Disability & Testing Services for questions about accommodations for placement testing.”

Disability Services

Contact Disability and Testing Services for questions and arrangements pertaining to accommodated placement testing.

Disability Services strives to promote a diverse, inclusive, supportive, and accessible learning and working environment for individuals with disabilities. The vision of the office is to promote disability as diversity and ensure individuals with disabilities have full access, inclusion, and belonging in the Oregon Tech community.

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Image shows the number 7 in a blue box with text “Taking the Test. After your location and identity are verified, the test should take 60-90 minutes. It includes up to 30 questions.”

Placement Test Links

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Image shows the number 8 in a blue box with text “Scores and Placement. Your score will be shared with Oregon Tech. This will help your Advisor recommend the correct course.”

How are ALEKS scores used?

Your placement result (overall score) is a number between 0 and 100. It represents the percentage of topics that you have mastered within ALEKS. Students who score below 30% or place below MATH 100 will be encouraged to enroll in MATH 101. Students will need to speak with an advisor who will then make recommendations and give further instructions.

ScoreRangeCourse PlacementCourse to list as PlacementOregon Tech CourseOregon Tech Course Title
≥ 3030-45Intermediate AlgebraMATH 100MATH 100Intermediate Algebra
≥ 4646-60College AlgebraMATH 111

MATH 111

MATH 243

College Algebra

Introductory Statistics

≥ 6161-75Pre-Calculus/ Business CalculusMATH 112

MATH 112 

MATH 361

MATH 371

Trigonometry

Statistical Methods I

Finite Mathematics & Calculus I

≥ 7676-100Calculus IMATH 251MATH 251Differential Calculus
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Image shows the number 9 in a blue box with text “5 Test Attempts. ALEKS is designed to build on your experience. Utilizing all 5 attempts allows you to get the most accurate placement.”

Maximize Your Success in 5 Attempts

You can retake the placement tests up to four additional times to improve your score (the highest score will be utilized for math placement). To aid in your success, we require that you work in the Prep and Learning Modules for a specific amount of time before you can make your second and third placement test attempts.

  • Practice test — recommended before your first attempt so you understand how to navigate the tool and utilize the resources available
  • 1st Attempt — remember to give yourself extra time to complete the verification steps before Attempt #1 (Note: verification will be required for each attempt)
  • 48 Hours 
  • 2nd Attempt — complete 5 hours of Prep and Learning Modules
  • 48 Hours
  • 3rd Attempt — complete 5 hours of Prep and Learning Modules
  • 48 Hours
  • 4th Attempt — work in the Prep and Learning Modules to improve your score
  • 48 Hours
  • 5th Attempt — work in the Prep and Learning Modules to improve your score
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Image shows the number 10 in a blue box with text “Technical Support. ALEKS has technical support available for test-related or Respondus issues.”

Technical Support is Available

If you have confirmed all of the above steps, and are still having issues, it could be that your internet service is having trouble. Try plugging directly into your modem or seek out an alternative internet source. 

Still stuck? Reach out to ALEKS Support for help.

Placement Tests (Click the drop down menu to read more)

The intent of the math placement process is to ensure long-term student success and retention. The sequence of math classes leading to the calculus sequence is as follows:

  • Math 70 - Elementary Algebra
  • Math 100 - Intermediate Algebra
  • Math 111 - College Algebra
  • Math 112 - Trigonometry
  • Math 251 - Differential Calculus

All new first year students (incoming freshman) must take the placement exam. All incoming transfer students must take the exam unless they meet one of the following exceptions:

  • Has an equivalent transferable college credit for Math 100, Math 111, or Math 112 within 12 months of starting at Oregon Tech
  • Has an equivalent transferable college credit for Math 251 or higher at any time

Students must take the math placement test online by using the ALEKS Math Placement/Practice Tests for their campus. ALEKS will record their scores for test administrators and use the highest score for the recommended placement.

Students may take the placement exam a maximum of five times. (The highest score will be used for math placement). We build in some requirements to work in the Prep and Learning Modules for a specific amount of time prior to attempts 2 and 3 to increase success.

  • Practice test — recommended before your first attempt so you understand how to navigate the tool and use the resources available

  • 1st Attempt — remember to give yourself extra time to complete the verification steps before Attempt #1 (Note: verification will be required for each attempt)

  • 48 Hours 

  • 2nd Attempt — complete 5 hours of Prep and Learning Modules

  • 48 Hours

  • 3rd Attempt — complete 5 hours of Prep and Learning Modules

  • 48 Hours

  • 4th Attemptwork in the Prep and Learning Modules to improve your score

  • 48 Hours

  • 5th Attemptwork in the Prep and Learning Modules to improve your score

 

After earning a placement recommendation, students may register for the recommended course, or for Math 97 (summer term) or Math 101 (fall, winter, and spring terms).

The goal of the ALEKS math placement test is to enroll you in the appropriate math class and set you up for success in math. There is no benefit to cheating on the math placement test — the result of doing so will be that you enroll in a class that is too difficult, or not challenging enough, potentially costing time and money. Please do not get any assistance from friends, family, other websites, textbooks, or any other resources not provided by ALEKS. Using outside resources may lead to improper math placement and ultimately course failure which could delay your progress toward graduation.
  • Any student who is in a pre-program such as Pre-MIT, Pre-Dental Hygiene, Pre-Nursing, Pre- Medical Lab Science, and Pre- Respiratory Care is required to take the A&P placement test.

  • All students who want to get into BIO 231 must take the placement exam unless they completed BIO 231 at another college or they completed BIO 135 or BIO 101 – 103.

  • We highly recommend taking all placement tests before you arrive at Oregon Tech. Not taking your placement tests before you arrive may delay your registration.

  • Students must take the A&P placement test online by clicking on the Take the A&P Placement Test link.

Placement Test FAQs

Newly admitted students who are planning to register for Fall 2024 courses must complete the first math placement test as soon as possible before they attend New Wings.

Further attempts (up to 5) can be taken after the deadline. Enrolled students who are preparing for future terms and require testing should complete placement tests by the fifth week of the term. This will allow ample time for a student to review placement scores with an advisor and to make decisions prior to registration.

Students are given 2 hours to complete the ALEKS math placement test. Students usually take between 60-90 minutes. The A&P placement test takes about 15 minutes to complete.

You can check the ALEKS Math Placement Chart to see what your score qualifies you for. Your scores will be added to your student registration information. Please contact Testing Services if you have any questions about how this works. 

Contact Disability and Testing Services for questions and arrangements pertaining to accommodated placement testing.

Klamath Falls students should contact Testing Services at 541-885-1791. Portland-Metro and Online students should contact Testing Services at 503-821-1305.