This page describes the ALEKS Math Assessment that is required of all incoming CEPS students. Students from other colleges interested in taking MATH 425 should refer here.
About ALEKS Math Assessment
What is ALEKS?
ALEKS is a powerful artificial-intelligence based assessment tool that zeros in on the strengths and weaknesses of a student’s mathematical knowledge, reports its findings to the student, and then provides the student with a learning environment for improving this knowledge to an appropriate level for course placement.
The ALEKS Math Assessment ensures students' readiness for MATH 425, Calculus I, at the University of New Hampshire. Since MATH 425 is demanding, it is important for students to have a solid mathematics background before beginning that course. Students will not be permitted to take MATH 425 unless they have demonstrated readiness. After completing the initial assessment, students who wish to improve their skill may use the learning module assigned by ALEKS.
Who must take ALEKS, when, AND HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE?
All entering first-year CEPS students, regardless of high school background, AP credits, Running Start, or previously earned college credits must take the ALEKS Placement Assessment at least once. The assessment will ask up to 25 questions. You will have 2 hours to complete the assessment, and you should plan to complete the assessment in one sitting.
BE SURE TO TAKE THE PLACEMENT ASSESSMENT EARLY, AND DO YOUR VERY BEST THE FIRST TIME YOU TAKE IT. You can take the ALEKS Placement Assessment up to four times before the fall semester begins. However, between any two consecutive attempts, you will be required to have a 72-hour cool-off period before taking the test again. Based on the results of your first attempt, ALEKS will select a Prep and Learning Module in which you must work for five hours before retaking the assessment. If you don’t take your first placement attempt seriously, the module selected for you will not be at the appropriate level for you, and you will not be adequately prepared to test into calculus when you take the ALEKS Placement Assessment the second time.
You will not be permitted to take MATH 425, Calculus I, unless you demonstrate readiness by earning the required ALEKS score (even if you are only one point away). If you want to change your placement, you may use your ALEKS learning module to improve your skills and then retake the assessment. Your course selection for your first semester will be based on your ALEKS test results. You will be registered for a pre-calculus class called MATH 418, Analysis and Applications of Functions, until you earn the minimum grade on the ALEKS test.
Get Ready
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 mathematics course. 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.), and do your honest best.
In addition, as a member of the UNH community, you are expected to uphold UNH’s principles, which include doing honest academic work. View the UNH Academic Honesty Policy here.
The University of New Hampshire may randomly select students to take a proctored placement test in order to verify the ALEKS results.
What you need
- Your UNH username (e.g. xyz5000) and password
- Your 9-digit UNH ID number
- A pencil and paper
- A reliable internet connection
- 2-3 hours of time
- A space conducive to doing your best work
All other resources are provided by ALEKS.
You should NOT use your own calculator. If one is needed to answer a question, ALEKS will provide one automatically for that question.
You should NOT use other resources such as textbooks, websites, or friends. Use of non-permitted resources is a violation of UNH’s academic honesty policy and may result in your being required to take a course for which you are not prepared.
What to expect
This is a free response assessment; there are no multiple-choice questions. Before you take the assessment, ALEKS will present a short tutorial on how to enter answers, how to use the graphing utilities, and how to use the built-in calculator that will be offered when appropriate.
Take the Assessment
- In order to access the ALEKS Placement Assessment, log into mycourses.unh.edu using your UNH username and password, and click "Submit"
- Once logged in you will see the "Mathematics Placement Test" course.
Note: colors of the module will differ. Search for the Mathematics Placement Test, and click on the module in your dashboard.
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?
Contact Customer Support - Higher Education
Hours (Eastern Time):
Sunday from 4:00 PM to 1:00 AM
Monday through Thursday from 7:00 AM to 1:00 AM
Friday, from 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM
Phone: (714) 619-7090
Test accommodations
This is a timed test. The assessment will ask up to 25 questions. If you need accommodations, please contact UNH’s Student Accessibility Services.
Understand Your Score
ALEKS scores cannot be interpreted in the same way as exam grades. Your placement result (overall score) is a number between 0 and 100. It represents the percentage of topics ALEKS has identified you have mastered.
Course placement is determined as follows:
|
ALEKS Score Range |
Course Name |
Course Number |
|---|---|---|
|
0 - 45 |
Analysis & Applications of Functions |
MATH 418 |
|
46 – 79 |
Analysis & Applications of Functions |
MATH 418 |
|
80 - 100 |
Calculus I |
MATH 425 |
You will not be permitted to take MATH 425, Calculus I, unless you demonstrate readiness by earning the required ALEKS score. You must score a 80 or higher to place into the course.
If your ALEKS score is below 46, you will be allowed to enroll in MATH 418. However, we strongly urge you to review topics in algebra and precalculus before the course begins.
Expiration
Your ALEKS PPL score will expire twelve months from your test date.
For all questions regarding the ALEKS placement test for incoming CEPS Students, please contact ceps.registration@unh.edu
