3. Who must take the ALEKS Math Placement Assessment?
First-year students admitted to UM as test optional are required to take the ALEKS Math Placement Assessment in order to determine an appropriate level math course. There is an exception, if you have AP Calculus scores or if you have completed a college-level math course, which may be used for math placement and you would not have to complete ALEKS. Otherwise, the default placement is into MTH099, a remedial algebra course.
Incoming first-year students who have submitted standardized test scores officially as part of the admission process will be placed on the basis of Math SAT or Math ACT scores or AP Calculus exam scores. Students may take ALEKS in order to improve their math placement based on the standardized test scores.
Any incoming transfer student, who does not have college credit in any math course, must also take ALEKS.
4. I'm taking a math class now (or I took a math class already). Can I take ALEKS to skip into a higher level?
No, you may not take ALEKS after you have begun a math sequence, whether at UM or another college or university. ALEKS is intended only for initial math placement. You may not take ALEKS to skip out of any math prerequisite course or to a higher level.
5. How long will the assessment take, and what material will I need?
The length of the assessment will vary by student since the test is adaptive. In general, the assessment will take approximately 90 minutes to complete. There will be a maximum of 30 questions. During the proctored sessions, you will be allowed 2 hours to complete the assessment.
You will need only pencil and paper to work on problems. ALEKS has a built-in calculator available when needed, so you do not need a calculator.
6. How many questions are on the assessment?
There will be a maximum of 30 open-ended questions. None of the questions are multiple-choice. The exact number of questions will vary due to the adaptive mechanism of the assessment. Students who are unable to answer many of the first questions may end up with a shorter assessment. If you come across material that you have not learned, you may answer, "I don't know." Do your best to answer each question.
7. Once I answer a question, can I go back and change my answer?
Unfortunately, once you submit an answer, you cannot change it. You should keep this in mind while testing.
8. Can I get help on the assessment?
No. Be honest. You are expected to take the assessment on your own without any outside assistance. The use of books, notes, electronic devices, aids, websites, or the assistance of another individual while taking the assessment is not allowed and will be considered a violation of the University of Miami's Honor Code and punishable by the provisions set forth by that code.
9. Should I prepare for the assessment?
There is no preparation required, but you may wish to review the material from your previous math course. You may review the packets on the Prepare for Success page.
A practice ALEKS assessment will be available. You may take the practice ALEKS and access the Prep and Learning Modules before taking the proctored ALEKS Math Placement Assessment. If you do not reach the score you desire, you may retake the assessment after completing at least 5 hours of a recommended ALEKS Prep and Learning Module.
10. Is there a fee for taking this assessment?
There is no fee to you as a student. The University of Miami provides students with access to the ALEKS Math Placement Assessment for up to 1 year. Keep in mind, however, that the ALEKS Prep and Learning Module will expire within 6 months from your first access.
11. How many times can I take the ALEKS Math Placement Assessment?
You will be given the chance to take the proctored ALEKS Math Placement Assessment up to two times within your subscription period. There is a 24-hour waiting period before you will be able to repeat the proctored assessment. In order to repeat the assessment, you will need to spend a minimum of 5 hours on a recommended ALEKS Prep and Learning Module to review the topics necessary.
You will have access to your ALEKS Prep and Learning Module for 6 months from the first time you access it. If you do not complete the required 5 hours in the Prep and Learning Module within the 6-month subscription, you will not be able to repeat the assessment.
12. How long are my ALEKS assessment scores valid for?
Scores on the ALEKS assessment are valid for a period of 18 months. In particular, you need to be sure that your ALEKS scores are valid for the semester you plan to enroll in a math course.
13. How do I take the assessment?
The practice or proctored ALEKS Assessment can be accessed from any computer with internet connection. Sign on to CaneLink. Go to the Admissions tab on the left, then click on "ALEKS Math Assessment". You will be prompted to sign in again with duo-authentication. Once you are in the ALEKS site, you should click on the blue box indicating your ALEKS cohort. Once you submit the practice assessment, you will have access to the Prep and Learning Modules.
LOCKDOWN BROWSER and MONITOR will be required for the proctored ALEKS attempts. You will be prompted to download Lockdown for ALEKS once you sign in.
14. When do I get the results and what do they mean?
As soon as you complete the assessment, you will receive your ALEKS score along with a pie chart showing your performance in different areas. Above the pie chart, you will see a link to COURSE MASTERY. Here you will see a list of topics that you scored well on. Below the pie chart, you will see information about topics that you still need to work on and how you can improve your score.
Your ALEKS score shows your level of preparedness for a math course. The cut-off scores have been set in order to determine the appropriate course in which you would be most likely to succeed.
Please allow two days for your placement scores to be visible in CaneLink. Once you can see your ALEKS score in CaneLink, you may enroll in the course for which you have obtained the appropriate ALEKS score or otherwise meet the prerequisite.
15. How do I know which course I should take?
Your math requirement will depend on your major and degree program. Please use the Math Placement Guide and the list of Freshman Level Mathematics Courses to determine the course you are eligible for.
When you make your course selection, you will be allowed to enroll in a course for which you meet the prerequisite by way of the appropriate ALEKS score, a prerequisite course, an appropriate math SAT or ACT score, an appropriate AP Calculus score, or the recommendations set forth for students admitted as Test Optional.
If you have any questions, please contact your Academic Advisor or Dr. Leticia Oropesa.
16. How do the ALEKS Prep and Learning Modules work?
After you complete the practice ALEKS Math Placement Assessment, you will see a pie chart that tells you the topics that you have mastered and those in which you are deficient. You will be able to review using the modules before you take the proctored assessment. In order to take the proctored ALEKS Math Placement Assessment a second time, you will need to spend a minimum of 5 hours on a recommended ALEKS Prep and Learning Module before you take the assessment again.
The ALEKS Prep and Learning Module will be available to you for a 6-month subscription free of charge. You do not have to access the Prep and Learning Modules immediately after taking the ALEKS Math Placement Assessment for the first time. You will be able to access the ALEKS Prep and Learning Modules for 1 year, but once you access the recommended Prep and Learning Module for the first time, you will have only 6 months to access it from that date. If you do not complete the required 5 hours in the recommended Prep and Learning Module within the 6-month subscription, you will not be able to repeat the assessment.
There will be different modules available depending on the course you would like to take and your current ALEKS score. It is important that you are careful in your selection of the Learning Module as you will not be able to change it after you have begun the module. Based on your ALEKS score, you will be recommended a specific module.
There is no fee for the Prep and Learning Modules. You must spend a minimum of 5 hours on the recommended Prep and Learning Module in order to retake the ALEKS Math Placement Assessment.
Your progress in the Prep and Learning Module does not affect your ALEKS score. You must repeat the assessment in order to change your ALEKS score and improve your math placement.
17. I only missed the cut-off by a few points. Can I be bumped up to the next level?
Exceptions to the prerequisites for each course will not be made. The prerequisites are clearly set forth by the Department of Mathematics. Fortunately, you may spend time in the ALEKS Prep and Learning Modules to review certain topics. It is very likely that your work on the recommended ALEKS Prep and Learning Module will allow you to increase your ALEKS score once you repeat the assessment, provided you still have an attempt available.
18. I took an ALEKS assessment through another college or university. Will the University of Miami accept my score?
No. UM does not accept ALEKS scores from other colleges or universities.
19. Can I get credit for a MTH class based on my ALEKS score?
No. The ALEKS score will determine your appropriate placement, but credit will not be granted in any course.
20. Will my score on ALEKS show on my official records or UM transcripts?
No. Your ALEKS score is used for math placement purposes only and will not be reflected on your transcript. The Department will keep records of your exam, but it will not affect your permanent record in any way.
