COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES Department of Mathematics and Statistics

Math Placement Planning

First of all, RELAX. This is an “assessment,” NOT A TEST. The difference is that an assessment is designed to determine what you know. At the end of the ALEKS Placement Assessment, you will have a much better sense of your strengths and weaknesses in math. You will then have a chance to work on those weaknesses. There is really no penalty for incorrectly answering a question on the assessment. The most important thing is that you take the assessment seriously and give it an honest effort so that the assessment truly reflects your level of knowledge and math preparedness.

Be honest about your skill level. There is no benefit to cheating on the placement assessment – your only reward will be that you are forced to take a class that is too difficult for your current level of mathematical knowledge. Therefore, while you are taking the assessment, do not consult any other source for help (friends, family, textbooks, internet searches, etc.). The purpose of the placement assessment is to give an accurate measure of your current mathematical skills so that you will be successful in your mathematics courses. Please see the Washington State Standards of Conduct for Students.

Practice.You may take a free ALEKS assessment, at any time, to become comfortable with the process. This free assessment is only a tutorial to familiarize yourself with the ALEKS system and your result will not be recorded. To access this go to www.aleks.com and follow these steps:

    1. Type “Free Trial” in the search box (top right).
    2. Select “Free Trial” for INDEPENDENT USERS (first selection).
    3. Click “Begin Trial” in the INDEPENDENT USERS box on the left.
    4. Click “TRY ALEKS NOW” in the EXPLORE STUDENT MODULE box on the left.
    5. Complete the User agreement and continue.
    6. Complete Personal Information, Independent User Type should be “College or K-12 Student (Personal Preparation), Choose your market and select a course.
    7. Your Free Trial Account has been created providing you a Login Name and Password. Click “Continue to Free Trial.”
    8. Welcome to ALEKS; begin the free trial tutorial and assessment.