Math Placement Assessment FAQs

Preparation

What is ALEKS?
ALEKS Placement, Preparation and Learning Assessment is a web-based program that uses artificial intelligence to identify a student’s strengths and weaknesses. The Placement Assessment has up to 30 questions and usually takes 60–90 minutes to complete. After the Placement Assessment, an individualized Prep and Learning Module is available to help students review topics they may have forgotten. Students then have the opportunity to reassess and improve their placement.
What is the purpose of placement testing?

The Placement Assessment results are used to determine the most appropriate math courses for each student as they begin college coursework. After taking a Placement Assessment, students should meet with their advisor to review results and enroll in the best classes based on their scores.

This is a “Placement Assessment,” not a test. A Placement Assessment is designed to determine what a student knows and what a student needs to work on. At the end of the ALEKS Assessment, a student will have a better sense of his/her strengths and weaknesses in math. Students then have a chance to review topics that may have been forgotten or not practiced for some time.

Be honest. It is important that the Placement Assessment is taken seriously and that each student gives an honest effort so the results truly reflect the student’s current level of knowledge and math preparation. There is no benefit to cheating on the Placement Assessment. The only result may be that a student enrolls in a class that is too difficult or not challenging enough, which can cost time and money. Therefore, while taking the Placement Assessment, students should not use outside help (friends/family, internet searches, textbooks, notes, etc.). The purpose of the Placement Assessment is to give an accurate measure of a student’s current math knowledge so he/she can be successful in math courses.

When do I take the ALEKS Assessment?
Students should take the ALEKS Assessment before they attend NPO (orientation and registration) at DBU. If the desired eMAT ALEKS score is not achieved, students may take four more attempts (a total of 5 attempts). ALEKS requires a 24-hour waiting period between attempts and also requires at least 3 hours of work in the ALEKS learning modules before the next attempt. For this reason, it is important to start several weeks in advance so you can study without rushing.
Are ALEKS Assessments proctored?
Yes. All ALEKS Assessments are proctored.
Is there a fee for using ALEKS?
Use of ALEKS is included in your student fees when you enroll at DBU. Access is valid for one year. After one year, extended access to ALEKS requires the student to pay a fee.
Do I need to install any software or plug-ins prior to taking the ALEKS Assessment?

No. There are no required plug-ins or applets. As long as you have internet access and are using an updated browser, you should not have problems taking your Placement Assessment. For a list of preferred browsers, please review the ALEKS system requirements on their support site.

What topics are covered during the ALEKS Assessment?

ALEKS is an online, adaptive system that covers a broad range of math topics. The Placement Assessment can be up to 30 questions. You will see some, but not all, of the math you learned in high school. This is a Placement Assessment, not a preview of math courses at DBU. It is designed to identify whether you are prepared for a particular course. After your first Placement Assessment, you will have the opportunity to review and master additional topics so you can reassess and improve your placement.

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?

Yes. ALEKS begins with a short tutorial to help you get comfortable with the math input tools before the assessment starts. The tutorial shows how to enter different types of answers, use the ALEKS calculator, and graph. If you are unsure how to enter an answer or need help during the assessment, select the Help button below the answer tools. Opening the tutorial during your Placement Assessment will NOT affect your results.

Taking the Placement Assessment

What is the format of the questions on ALEKS?

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

May I use a calculator while using ALEKS?
You may only use the on-screen calculator provided by ALEKS when a problem allows it. Otherwise, you may not use any other calculator.
May I use any other resources during the ALEKS Assessment?
No. You may only use a pen or pencil, paper, and the resources provided within ALEKS. You may not receive help from friends, family, websites, textbooks, notes, or any other resource outside ALEKS. Using outside resources can lead to incorrect placement and is a violation of the institution’s honor code.
What if I see questions I don’t know?

You may see questions on material you have not learned yet. For those questions, it is appropriate to answer “I don’t know.” For questions you recognize, do your best. “I don’t know” tells ALEKS that you do not know that topic, and it will affect your results. There is no penalty for a wrong answer. Your answers help ALEKS understand what you know and what you don’t know.

Are Placement Assessments timed?
Most students finish in less than 90 minutes. However, all students have up to 3 hours to complete the assessment. This allows plenty of time for all students, including those who receive approved time accommodations.
I am ready to start my ALEKS Assessment. How do I begin?

Login to your MyDBU account and select EMAT ALEKS to take the assessment.

Placement Result

What is my placement result?

Your placement result is a number between 0 and 100. It represents the percentage of topics ALEKS has identified you have mastered. You will receive your score immediately after you complete your Placement Assessment.

If I placed into the class I wanted, when can I register for the class?
Congratulations! Your score will be entered in DBU’s Self-Service system the next day. After that, you can enroll in the class if it is offered for the semester you are registering for and if the section is still open.
What if I do not place into the course I wanted?

If the desired eMAT ALEKS score is not achieved, you may take four more attempts (a total of 5 attempts). ALEKS requires a 24-hour waiting period between attempts and at least 3 hours of work in the ALEKS learning modules before the next attempt. For this reason, it is important to begin several weeks in advance so you have time to study without rushing.

Technical Support

What do I do if my web browser gets stuck or my computer crashes while I'm taking the Placement Assessment?

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?
Use the ALEKS Customer Support form to submit your issues and questions.