Placement assessments and introductory courses

Course prerequisites ensure that students are placed into courses in which they are likely to succeed. The Department of Mathematics enforces a prerequisite policy for most of its courses, but the mathematics placement assessment can be used to place into MAT 1070, 1110, 1120, 1800, 2010 and STA 2210. This policy applies to new, continuing, transfer and graduate students.

Register for a placement assessment

Placement into introductory courses

• Students who are taking a course for the third or fourth time will need to follow a special process. Please email mathundergrad@wayne.edu for further information.
• Students may visit STARS to schedule an appointment with a mathematics advisor to discuss their placement situation.
• Students intending to take MAT 0993, MAT 1000 and STA 1020 are not required to take the placement assessment, although it is recommended.

FAQs

Preparation

• Why would I take the ALEKS PPL Assessment?

  The placement assessment is used if you do not have an ACT or SAT, if it is expired, if your prerequisite course is expired or if you would like to improve your ACT or SAT placement. It's also used if you need to repeat a course for a third or fourth time.

• Are ALEKS PPL Assessments proctored?

  Yes, tests that count for placement are proctored.  Your first assessment is proctored.  If you wish to retake the placement test, you will have the opportunity to practice through self-study modules (minimum of 3 hours), then take a practice (unproctored) ALEKS assessment.  Then you may choose to do more self-study modules and/or take your second chance proctored assessment.  

• Is there a fee for using ALEKS PPL?

  Yes. A $50 fee will be paid upon registration for the program. This is a one-time fee for 12-month access.

• Do I need to install any software or plug-ins prior to taking the ALEKS placement assessment?

  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, please review the ALEKS system requirements.

• How do I prepare for my first assessment?

  In the ALEKS program, you do not prepare for the first assessment. The goal of your first assessment is to determine what your learning modules will be. If your first assessment places you into the course that you need to take, then you are done. If it does not, then you can use your personally tailored learning modules to attempt to increase the placement score on your next assessment.

• What topics are covered during the ALEKS PPL Assessment?

  ALEKS PPL is an online, adaptive system that covers a broad spectrum of mathematics topics. The length of the placement assessment 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.

  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)
• Can I practice using the ALEKS input tools before I begin the placement assessment?

  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 palette tools. Going to the tutorial during your placement assessment will not impact your placement assessment results.

• Do you need extra help?

  Students should review thoroughly before taking the placement exam. The Mathematics Resource Center, located in room 1198 FAB, is available for assistance. The Academic Success Center also offers tutoring and math literacy services.

Taking the placement assessment

• Are placement assessments timed?

  Yes. You will have two hours to complete an assessment. If you have student disabilities accommodations for additional time, your time will be adjusted accordingly.

• Can I retake the ALEKS PPL Assessment?

  Yes, you may take up to three placement assessments during the coronavirus crisis. However, to make each attempt worthwhile, it's important that you spend time working in your ALEKS prep and learning module between placement assessments so that you can improve your skills. Therefore, at least three hours of time in the learning modules is required before taking the next assessment.

  You must wait 48 hours between placement assessments. There is generally no benefit to re-taking the placement assessment immediately after completing a prior attempt. You cannot improve your results by simply re-taking the placement assessment without spending time in the prep and learning module to refresh material that you may have forgotten.

• 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.

• How long is my placement result valid?

  Scores are valid for three semesters after the semester in which you take the assessment. So for example, if a student takes the exam in February of 2025, the exam is good for placement in spring/summer 2025, fall 2025 and winter 2026.

• I did not place into the class I wanted. Can I take the course I wanted anyway?

  No, you must achieve the minimum placement result to take each corresponding class.

• May I use a calculator while using ALEKS?

  Calculators are provided in the ALEKS PPL program during the placement assessment on select problems. The student is not allowed to use their own calculator.

• May I use any other resources during a placement assessment?

  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 potential course failure. It is a violation of Wayne State's honor code.

• What if I see questions I don't know?

  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 handle 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, it only helps ALEKS understand what you know and don't know.

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

  In an unproctored assessment, if you do not submit within two hours, the score will not count and you will have to redo the assessment. In a proctored assessment, you will be given a placement result whether you submit or not, but it will not be a true reflection of your abilities.

• What if I don't 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 assessment. ALEKS will identify what you know and what you are ready to learn next so you can brush up on lost knowledge.

• What if I don't understand my placement?

  Students may email a Department of Mathematics advisor at mathundergrad@wayne.edu to discuss their placement situation.

• What if I placed into the class I wanted?

  Congratulations, if it was in any assessment during the coronavirus crisis! You do not need to continue any further in the ALEKS PPL program unless you would like to use it to improve your outcome in the course you are about to take. After the coronavirus crisis, you will need to place into the course you want during one of the proctored assessments to take that course.

• What is my placement result?

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

  Course placement is determined as follows:

  Level	Course
  Level 4 (ALEKS score 76-100)	MAT 2010 or lower and STA 2210
  Level 3 (ALEKS score 61-75)	MAT 1110, 1120, 1800 or lower
  Level 2 (ALEKS score 46-60)	MAT 1070 or lower
  Level 1 (ALEKS score 0-45)	MAT 0993, MAT 1000 or STA 1020 (These courses do not require any placement to enroll.)

  Note: The course you should choose is determined by your intended major. Please consult an academic advisor.

• What is the format of the questions on ALEKS?

  ALEKS is not a multiple-choice placement assessment. It is open-response and requires you to work out solutions with paper and pencil, then enter them into ALEKS. Be sure to have scratch paper with you.

• Where can I see my score?
  • You will receive your unofficial score immediately upon completion of your placement assessment.
  • Your ALEKS score can be viewed by re-entering ALEKS using the same access link for which you took the placement assessment.
  • Your ALEKS score will be uploaded to STARS under Tests within one week of your ALEKS assessment. You will not be able to register for your course until it is uploaded to STARS. Advisors and departments are not authorized to override students into any courses based on unofficial ALEKS scores.

Prep and learning modules

• Can I change to a different prep and learning module later?

  Yes. To do so, send an email to testing@wayne.edu requesting the change and stating which prep and learning module you would like to change to.

• Does progress in an ALEKS prep and learning module count toward placement?

  No. You must complete a new placement assessment to change your placement result. Select the placement tab in the upper right corner of the ALEKS page to start a new placement assessment.

• How long do I have access to my prep and learning module?

  You will have access to your prep and learning module for your 12-month subscription.

• 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 assessments.

• Must I work in my ALEKS prep and learning module between placement assessments?

  Yes. You can retake the placement assessment two additional times during the coronavirus crisis 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 at least three hours prior to each placement assessment to increase success.

• What are ALEKS Knowledge Checks?

  While working in a prep and learning module, you will periodically complete a Knowledge Check to make sure you have mastered the topics you gained in Learning Mode. If you do not show mastery during the Knowledge Check, the topics will be added back into your Learning Pie so you can review them again.

Technical support

• What do I do if my web browser gets stuck or my computer crashes while I'm taking the placement assessment?

  Simply close the browser or log out and log back in. ALEKS will resume the placement assessment exactly where you left off, with no loss of your previous answers.

• Where can I get help with ALEKS?

  Visit the ALEKS support page.

Courses and assessment