Take ALEKS

NOTICE: NEW INCOMING STUDENTS for Fall 2026. Effective May 1, 2026 - Students with SAT/ACT/AP scores will be placed on the basis of those scores and will not take ALEKS. If you do not have SAT/ACT/AP scores, you will be required to take ALEKS. For full details, see our webpage. Remotely proctored ALEKS will be available from May 6 to July 31. Be sure to check your Road-to-UM checklist in your application portal for relevant deadlines.
CONTINUING and TRANSFER STUDENTS - Effective May 1, 2026 - If you are a continuing student or a transfer student who has not taken ALEKS and you have not completed any college-level math course, you may take only ON-CAMPUS proctored ALEKS by appointment. ON-CAMPUS ALEKS will be available from August 10 to August 22. Dates, times and appointment instructions will be posted soon.

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How to Take ALEKS

To take ALEKS you will need reliable, fast-internet connection, a functioning web camera, microphone, and speakers. You must use Respondus LockDown for all ALEKS attempts, and Respondus Monitor for remotely proctored ALEKS. You will be prompted to download LockDown from the ALEKS site when you first access the program. Check the banner of this page for the dates of availability for ALEKS. Your ALEKS subscription is for 1 year and the validity of your ALEKS score is for 1 year.

Guidelines for Remotely Proctored ALEKS

YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES		CAMERA POSITIONING - WHAT YOU MUST SHOW
	You must position your computer and webcam so that you SHOW YOUR FACE, TORSO, BOTH HANDS AND YOUR ENTIRE WORKSPACE AT ALL TIMES. To achieve this, you will need to push your computer slightly away from you and tilt the webcam. This is required.	CORRECT SETUP - SHOWS EVERYTHING REQUIRED  Face visible   Torso visible   Both hands visible   Entire workspace visible NOT ALLOWED - THESE WILL INVALIDATE YOUR TEST No phones, tables, or other devices No books, notes, or written papers No handheld calculators No headphones or ear pods No communicating with others
	While taking ALEKS, you should not access other resources (a phone, tablet, notes, books, etc.) or communicate with other people. Do not wear headphones or ear pods while taking the assessment. Make sure the area around your computer is clear of papers with writing, books, phones, calculators, etc.
	Only 4 blank sheets of paper and a pencil/pen are permitted during the assessment. Your phone should be placed far enough away from you that you would need to stand to pick it up.
	You may not use any type of handheld calculator or smart device. On problems in which a calculator is permitted, one will be provided in ALEKS.
	You will be prompted to complete a 360˚ environment check.
If you leave your seat, look away from the screen, or do not follow these requirements, YOUR ASSESSMENT WILL BE INVALIDATED.

Incorrect Camera Placement

Positioning your webcamera in this manner will result in your assessment being flagged for an Honor Code Violation.

❌ DO NOT

   Position your webcam so that both your face and workspace are visible

This view is not acceptable because:

• your workspace, hands, and materials are not visible
• We cannot verify that you are not using unauthorized resources.
• it does not meet ALEKS proctoring requirements.

To access ALEKS and take the assessment:

• You will receive an email with the link to the UM ALEKS site along with detailed instructions regarding camera set-up and the password for the remotely proctored ALEKS.
• You will be asked to fill out a questionnaire.
• Then, you will see the ALEKS main page and can begin an assessment, access the modules, etc.

You will have three attempts at ALEKS (see GUIDELINES below):

• Your first attempt will be an un-proctored assessment which is for practice only. Nevertheless, you should take this attempt seriously as it will give you an idea of what to expect. This attempt will be timed for 2 hours and will require LockDown Browser. You MUST take unproctored ALEKS before you take any proctored assessment.
• If you'd like to review the types of problems you missed, please work in the modules before your next attempt. There is a 24-hour waiting period before you can complete your next attempt.
• Your second attempt at ALEKS will be proctored and will require a password which you will receive by email. The proctored attempt is timed for 2 hours, requiring LockDown and Monitor with a working web camera, microphone, and speakers. It may be helpful to have an external web camera in order to achieve the required camera placement.
  If you are satisfied with your proctored ALEKS score, then you may enroll in the appropriate math course according to the placement guide .
• If you would like to take proctored ALEKS again, you will first need to spend 5 hours in the modules reviewing. Also, remember that you have to wait at least 24 hours before your next attempt. Your third attempt at ALEKS will be timed for 2 hours and will require LockDown and Monitor with a working web camera, microphone, and speakers. It may be helpful to have an external web camera in order to achieve the required camera placement. Your third attempt at ALEKS will require a password which you will receive by email.   Your ALEKS subscription is for 1 year and the validity of your ALEKS score is for 1 year.
• You cannot exit ALEKS until all questions are completed and you have submitted it for grading. There are a maximum of 25 questions. The assessment usually takes 90 minutes to complete, but it is timed for 2 hours. If your time runs out, your assessment will be submitted.

Have your identification ready before you take ALEKS.

Acceptable Identification:

1. Your CANE ID card
2. State Driver's License
3. State Issued Personal Identification with photo
4. Valid Passport

No Zoom connection is required, only Respondus LockDown and Monitor using the web camera.

If you encounter technical difficulties, please visit one of these sites:
• Technical Requirements and Instructions for Downloading LockDown
• ALEKS Customer Support and Troubleshooting LockDown Issues
• CaneLink Single Sign-on Issues

Please note that if you take ALEKS outside of regular business hours, technical support may not be available.

Quick Facts about the ALEKS Math Placement Assessment

• The ALEKS Math Placement Assessment has a maximum of 25 questions. Your ALEKS subscription is for 1 year and the validity of your ALEKS score is for 1 year.
• The assessment will take approximately 90 minutes to complete, but the amount of time will vary by student since the test is adaptive. Proctored ALEKS assessments will be timed for completion in 120 minutes.
• You will need a pen or pencil and paper. You may not receive assistance from any individual, websites, textbooks, smart phone, smart watch, or any other resource not provided by ALEKS. Using outside resources may lead to improper placement and ultimately course failure.
• An on-screen calculator will be provided in ALEKS in the case that you need one to complete a particular problem. Otherwise, you may not use a calculator.
• Your subscription to the recommended ALEKS Prep and Learning Module is only for 6 months. If you want to repeat the assessment, do not begin your module until you know you can complete the required 5 hours. You will be blocked from repeating the ALEKS Math Placement Assessment once your 6-month subscription to the module expires.
• There is a 24-hour waiting period before you are allowed to repeat the assessment.

For more information, see ALEKS FAQs .