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Taking the Placement Assessment

Can be up to 30 questions, takes an average of 60-90 minutes to complete, and there is no practice test available.

The ALEKS PPL Assessment is a computer based assessment with up to 30 questions.  It generally takes students 60-90 minutes to complete. Each attempt at the ALEKS PPL Assessment needs to be proctored. It is not necessary to review/study before students take their initial ALEKS Placement Exam. There is no practice test available. After they have taken the exam, students will receive a placement score and access to an individualized Prep and Learning Module to refresh their knowledge on forgotten topics. Students then have the opportunity to reassess and improve their placement if desired.

Snow College encourages each student to spend time in the Prep and Learning Module, even if the desired score is achieved.  More time spent in ALEKS leads to better preparation and improved grades.

 

I am Ready to start my Aleks PPL Assessment

When you arrive at your testing location, you will need to present a valid picture ID. You need to bring a pencil or pen with you.  You will be provided scratch paper. ALEKS is not a multiple-choice Placement Assessment. It is open-response and requires you to work out solutions with a paper and pencil, then enter them into ALEKS. All other resources needed are provided by ALEKS PPL. You will NOT be allowed to use your own calculator. If one is needed to answer a question, ALEKS PPL will provide one automatically for that question.

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 how to solve the topic, and this will be reflected in the Placement Assessment results. There is no penalty for incorrectly answering a question on the Placement Assessment. Incorrect answers help ALEKS understand what you know and don't know.

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

You have 3 hours to complete a Placement Assessment once it has begun. Generally, the assessment takes most students 60-90 minutes to complete. If you do not finish you will be given a placement result for the incomplete placement assessment once time expires, but it will not be a true reflection of your abilities.

 
Academic Integrity

The only purpose of the assessment is to give an accurate measure of your current mathematical skills so that you will have a better opportunity to be successful in your courses. There is no benefit to inflating or deflating your abilities on the assessment. Taking a class that is not appropriate for your current level of mathematical knowledge could delay your graduation. Therefore, while you are taking the assessment, do not consult any other source for help (friends, family, internet searches, textbooks, etc.).  Do your honest best.

In addition, as a member of Snow College’s community, you are expected to uphold Snow College Academic Integrity policy, which includes doing honest academic work.