ALEKS PPL is an artificial intelligence assessment tool that identifies student strengths
and weaknesses in mathematics. Using the ALEKS system helps ensure you are adequately
prepared for your first mathematics course in college and that you begin with the
mathematics course that is most likely to lead to your success.
ALEKS offers you the opportunity to develop your mathematics skills by working through
learning modules that are provided free of charge. If you do not achieve your desired
placement the first time around, you can work through the modules suggested by ALEKS,
then re-take the assessment up to two more times.
If you are an incoming first-year student, you need to take the assessment, even if
you already have college level mathematics credits (AP, IB, dual enrollment, etc.)
If you are a transfer student, you need to take the assessment if you have not yet
completed the mathematics required for your major.
If you have not taken the college level prerequisite course and you are a dual-enrollment
or non-degree student, you need to take the assessment if you want to take a mathematics
course at WCU.
There is no reason to practice first. You have up to three online attempts, and the
very first one you take will generate a customized learning module for you to review.
Do the very best you can on that test, so that the learning (review) module that ALEKS
constructs for you accurately targets your areas for improvement.
Your goal score depends on the mathematics requirements for your major. Check specific
degree plan requirements for your major in the Academic Catalog. The quick reference tables list requirements for many undergraduate plans.
If you are an Exploratory Studies major, check the requirements for degree plans you
are considering. It is to your advantage to score as high as you can to give yourself
options.
ALEKS PPL questions are open response (not multiple choice) of (typically) 30 questions.
You work problems out with paper and pencil and then enter your answers. Before the
assessment begins, ALEKS provides a short tutorial to make sure you know how to enter
answers and how to use the online calculator and graphing tool, which come up for
items that allow their use.
You must complete the assessment before you can enroll in a mathematics course. Incoming
first year students must complete at least one attempt by the deadline listed in the
new student portal so advisors can create a schedule. We recommend you take the assessment
as soon as it is available to you so you have time to study and retake it if you don’t
meet your goal.
Your progress in the ALEKS Prep and Learning Module will help you prepare to increase
your score on the mathematics placement assessment, but does not count toward your
placement. Before you can enroll in a mathematics course, you must earn the prerequisite
score on the PPL for that course. The quick reference tables list the scores required for each course.
You need to take the ALEKS PPL assessment before you can enroll in a mathematics course
at WCU. If you have already completed the mathematics requirements for your major,
you do not need to complete the assessment.
There are about 30 free-response questions on the assessment. Most students complete
it in less than 90 minutes. Once you start the assessment, you have 3 hours to complete
it. If you don’t finish, your progress will be reset and you will have to start again.
This does NOT count as one of your three allowed attempts.
Plan to finish the assessment in one sitting. Once you start the assessment, you have
three hours to complete it. If you don’t finish, your progress will be reset and you
will have to start again. This does NOT count as one of your three allowed attempts.
Once you start the assessment, you have three hours to complete it. If you don’t finish,
your progress will be reset and you will have to start again. This does NOT count
as one of your three allowed attempts.
DO NOT use your own calculator. The only materials you need are pencil and paper.
ALEKS will provide a calculator on screen if it is required for a specific problem.
If you are a first year student, your academic advisor will select a course for you
based on your degree plan requirements. You do the opportunity to improve your score
by completing work in a learning module and then retaking the placement assessment.
Transfer and non-degree students will be able to enroll in a mathematics course per
the university registration schedule once the ALEKS PPL score loads to the registrar’s
system. The quick reference tables list the scores required for each course.
Once you start working on your learning module, you have access for 6 months.
No. You must earn the qualifying score before you can enroll in a mathematic course. The
quick reference tables list the scores required for each course.
