Math Placement
How to Place into a Math Class
Math placement at UND is based on one of the following three scores:
Officially submitted ACT or SAT score
Students who have submitted an ACT/SAT score to UND from within the last two years will receive a math placement based on that score. In this situation, an ALEKS PPL score may not be used to improve your placement, and thus there is no need to take the ALEKS PPL.
Advanced Coursework (AP, IB, transfer, or dual credit)
You may be placed into the appropriate math course based on the transerferability of the course(s) you have taken.
ALEKS Placement, Preparation and Learning (PPL) Assessment
Students taking a math class at UND that do not have ACT/SAT scores, exam/transfer credits are required to take the ALEKS PPL. Class credit cannot be earned by taking the ALEKS PPL, it is used to place you in the appropriate class.
Note: Your ALEKS PPL score is not indicative of whether or not you will be able to successfully pass the class you've placed into at UND. Your academic advisor will work with you to select the appropriate class based on your program or major. Due to the structure of math prerequisites at UND, you need to confirm you are on the correct path to fulfill major requirements. Your ALEKS PPL score can only be used at UND. Scores do not transfer to other institutions. If you earn a failing grade in a prerequisite course, you may not advance to the next course by taking the ALEKS PPL without Mathematics & Statistics Department approval.
It is recommended that new and transfer incoming students complete the placement assessment at least two weeks before registering for classes, so academic advisors have the information to suggest the appropriate math course.
Majors That Do Not Require a Math Class
The following majors do not require a math class so do not need the ALEKS PPL.
- American Indian Studies
- Anthropology
- Aviation Safety & Operations
- Classical Studies
- Communication
- Early Childhood Education
- English
- Environmental Studies
- Esports
- French
- General Studies
- German
- Global Studies
- Graphic Design
- Health Studies
- History
- Journalism
- Kinesiology
- Music
- Music Education
- Music Performance
- Musical Theatre
- Norwegian
- Philosophy & Ethics
- Public Health Education
- Secondary Education
- Social Science
- Spanish
- Theatre Arts
- Visual Arts
- Women & Gender Studies
ALEKS PPL Assessment
The ALEKS PPL Assessment is not a test but a tool to identify your math strengths and areas for growth. Take it seriously by setting aside quiet time and working independently so the results accurately reflect your skills. Do not get outside help (friends, family, internet searches, AI, calculator, notes, etc). Being honest ensures you’re placed in a class where you can be successful.
The ALEKS PPL is up to 30 questions and takes about 60-90 minutes to complete. After the Placement Assessment, an individualized Prep and Learning Module is available for students to refresh their knowledge on forgotten topics. Access to 2 additional placement assessments is available. You must wait 48 hours between placement assessments and you must work at least 3 hours in the Prep and Learning Module before the 2nd assessment and at least 5 hours before taking the 3rd assessment. The highest score is used for placement into a math class.
Access ALEKS PPL Assessment
The ALEKS PPL Assessment is proctored remotely using Honorlock or can be taken in-person at UND. To take the ALEKS PPL in-person at UND please contact gwennie.byron@UND.edu for more information. If taking the ALEKS PPL remotely, carefully review the steps below before beginning the assessment.
Academic Integrity
To be successful, review all prohibited items before taking the ALEKS PPL Assessment (refer to the prohibited items list below). There is no benefit to cheating. The only result will be that a student enrolls in a class that is too difficult, potentially costing time and money.
Using outside help is academic dishonesty and is a violation of the Code of Student Life. UND reserves the right to invalidate a particular score or require an in-person assessment if academic dishonesty is suspected. Evidence of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Students.
Honorlock Requirements
- Government/student photo ID for verification
- Working camera and microphone
- Stable internet connection
- Google Chrome browser
Allowed & Prohibited Items
| Allowed Items | Prohibited Items |
|---|---|
|
|
Testing Area
- Sit at a clean desk or table (not on a bed or couch)
- Ensure your desk or table is cleared of all other materials
- Lighting in the room must be bright enough to be considered "daylight" quality. Overhead lighting is preferred; however, if overhead is not possible, the source of light should not be behind the student
- A room scan will be required. Make sure to do a complete 360 degree rotation of your room, then show your work space. Partial scans and/or failure to show your work space may be flagged during the proctoring review
- Make sure your laptop is fully charged, or keep the charger within arm’s reach
- No other persons except the test-taker should be in room during testing
- You must remain visible in the web camera during the entire duration of the exam
Take the ALEKS PPL Assessment
If you are a new student and have not attempted the placement assessment yet, log in with your NDUS.identifier and the password you created when you claimed your UND account. Current students should use the same log-in information you use for Blackboard, Campus Connection, and your UND email. Students should be prepared to take the exam on the first attempt.
If you are taking the assessment remotely:
- Using Google Chrome, install the Honorlock Chrome Extension.
- Close all other programs and/or windows on the testing computer.
- With the extension installed, click the link below to navigate to the ALEKS placement assessment and follow the directions that appear on-screen.
BEGIN FIRST PLACEMENT ASSESSMENT
If you have completed at least one placement assessment attempt previously, please use the link below to return to the placement assessment.
RETURN TO PLACEMENT ASSESSMENT
ALEKS PPL and ACT/SAT Placement Scores
| ALEKS PPL | ACT Math | SAT Math | Enroll In |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30 - 45* | 0 - 20 | 0 - 529 | Math 98 |
| 46 - 60 | 21 - 25 | 530+ | Math 98, 103, 105, 107, or 110 |
| 61 - 75 | 26 - 36 | Math 98, 103, 105, 107, 110, 146, or 208** | |
| 76 - 100 | 27 - 36 | Math 98, 103, 105, 107, 110, 146, 165, or 208** |
*A score below 30 indicates that a student is not likely to be successful in a UND math class. Although you may register for Math 98: Intermediate Algebra, we strongly recommend that you spend the time working in your Prep & Learning Module prior to the start of the class as it will help you improve your likelihood of success in the class.
**Math 208 is not recommended for first semester freshmen.
ALEKS PPL Assessment FAQs
It is open-response and requires you to work out solutions with a paper and pencil, then enter them into ALEKS. Be sure to have scratch paper with you.
ALEKS will provide an on-screen calculator if you need one to complete a particular problem. Otherwise,you may not use a calculator.
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 potentially cause failure. It is a violation of the UND Code of Student Life.
Once you submit an answer, it cannot be changed. Be sure to carefully check your answer before submitting your response.
It is likely that you will be asked questions on material you have not yet learned. It is okay to answer, I don’t know. ALEKS interprets this to mean that you do not know how to solve the topic. There is no penalty for incorrectly answering a question, it only helps ALEKS understand what you know and don’t know. If you are familiar with a question, do your best to answer it.
Yes, the Placement Assessment is timed. You have access to the Placement Assessment
for 2 hours once it
has begun.
- You will receive your score immediately upon completion of your Placement Assessment.
- Your ALEKS PPL score can be viewed by re-entering ALEKS using the same access link
for which
you took the Placement Assessment. - Your scores will be added to Campus Connection, which is accessible by your academic advisor.
- Your scores will be verified by the Mathematics & Statistics Department before the semester begins.
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 for you.
You must achieve the minimum placement result to take each corresponding class. If you have other class credit or test scores (AP, ACT, CLEP, etc.) that allow placement into a mathematics class, talk with your academic advisor.
ALEKS PPL is an online, adaptive system that covers a broad spectrum of math topics. The length of the Placement Assessment will vary, but can be up to 30 questions. It is designed to identify if you are prepared for a particular class. After you take your first Placement Assessment, you will have the opportunity to review and master additional topics to 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 llogarithms, and logarithmic equations).
-
Geometry and trigonometry (including perimeter, area, and volume, coordinate geometry, trigonometric functions, and identities and equations).
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 pallet tools. Going to the tutorial during your Placement Assessment will NOT impact your Placement Assessment results.
No, there is no fee for the use of ALEKS PPL.
ALEKS Prep & Learning Modules
ALEKS PPL is a web-based program that maps a student’s strengths and weaknesses. After the initial Placement Assessment, an individualized Prep and Learning Module is available for students to refresh their knowledge on forgotten topics. Students then can reassess and improve their placement if they choose. The ALEKS PPL consists of three parts:
- An initial placement assessment
- The Prep and Learning Module - an individualized, self-paced online review
- Access to 1 additional placement assessment
-
- You must wait at least 48 hours between placement assessments
- You must spend at least 3 hours in the Prep and Learning Module before the 2nd placement assessment
- The highest score is used for placement into a math class
- You will have access to your Prep and Learning Module for 12 months
ALEKS Prep & Learning Module FAQs
Students can call ALEKS Customer Support at 1.800.258.2374 or visit the placement assistance website to submit a customer support ticket.