Mathematics Placement Assessment

Lincoln University requires an ALEKS placement assessment to determine readiness for various mathematics courses. The ALEKS Placement Assessment covers material from Basic Math through Pre-calculus and will take approximately 90 minutes to complete. After the initial assessment, a targeted Preparation and Learning Module is available for you to review and learn material, and prepare for the final (proctored) placement assessment that you will take at the Lincoln Campus

All students are strongly encouraged to spend several hours using the ALEKS Prep and Learning Module. Even if you have achieved placement in your desired course, time spent in ALEKS will better prepare you for your upcoming course and ultimately lead to better grades

First of all, RELAX.  This is an “assessment,” NOT A TEST. The difference is that an assessment is designed to determine what you know. At the end of the ALEKS Placement Assessment, you will have a much better sense of your strengths and weaknesses in math. You will then have a chance to work on those weaknesses. There is really no penalty for incorrectly answering a question on the assessment. The most important thing is that you take the assessment seriously and give it an honest effort so that the assessment truly reflects your level of knowledge and math preparedness

Be honest about your skill level. There is no benefit to cheating on the placement assessment – your only reward will be that you are forced to take a class that is too difficult for your current level of mathematical knowledge. Therefore, while you are taking the assessment, do not consult any other source for help (friends, family, internet searches, etc.). The purpose of the placement assessment is to give an accurate measure of your current mathematical skills so that you will be successful in your mathematics courses.

 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Who has to take the ALEKS Placement Assessment?
All incoming Lincoln University students.  

Is there a fee for using ALEKS?
There is no fee to students; it is being paid by Lincoln University.

Can I retake the ALEKS Placement Assessment?

Yes, you may take up to 3(initial, second and third) placement assessments. However, to make each attempt worthwhile, it is important that you spend time working in your ALEKS Prep and Learning Module in between placement assessments so that you can improve your skills. At Lincoln University, you need to spend at least 5hrs between initial assessment and second assessment. After the second assessment, you have to spend at least 10hrs in learning mode to be able to do the third attempt; otherwise the system will not allow you to do so. 

Are ALEKS Placement Assessments proctored?
The initial placement assessment that students take remotely is not proctored. The second and third placement assessments are to be given either on campus or online and are proctored and will be used for your placement in to mathematics courses. 

Is Remote Proctoring available for ALEKS?
Yes, students may use LockDown Browser with Respondus Monitor to take the second and third ALEKS placement assessments remotely using a webcam. There is a $5.00 proctoring fee. This fee covers all of the student’s Placement Assessment attempts. 

Does the Remote proctoring require scheduling or advance notice?
LockDown Browser + Respondus Monitor proctoring is available on-demand 24/7, with no scheduling required.

How does it look for students?
When a student begins a Placement Assessment requiring LockDown Browser, or LockDown Browser with Respondus Monitor for the first time, the student will be prompted to download the custom ALEKS LockDown Browser. If the student has the browser already installed on his or her device, the assessment will launch the browser directly. Note: Students will see the more recognizable term “webcam” instead of the commercial name of “Respondus Monitor.”

What are the System Requirements?
LockDown Browser and Respondus Monitor will work on PC’s, MAC’s, and iPads (with the Respondus LockDown Browser App installed). You can find specific system requirements posted here:  https://www.aleks.com/support/lockdown_system_requirements.

Can I retake the ALEKS Placement Assessment immediately?
Yes, but we strongly recommend for you to spend time practicing before planning to retake. There is generally no benefit to retaking the assessment immediately after completing a prior attempt. Unlike the SAT or ACT, you cannot improve your results by simply re-taking the assessment without spending time in the Prep and Learning Module to refresh material that you may have forgotten or to learn new material.

Must I work in my ALEKS Prep and Learning Module between placement assessments?
Yes, for at least 10 hours between the initial, second and third placement assessments. 

Are placement assessments timed?
Yes, you have 2 hours to complete a placement assessment once it has begun.

How long will a placement assessment take to complete?
Placement assessments require approximately 90 minutes to complete, but the amount of time will vary by student. There will be a maximum of 30 questions. 

May I use a calculator while using ALEKS?
ALEKS will provide an on-screen calculator if you need one to complete a particular problem. Otherwise, you may not use a calculator. 

What happens if I do not complete a placement assessment in the allotted time?
If the placement assessment is un-proctored, you will have to restart the assessment. If the incomplete assessment is proctored and timed, you will be given a placement result, but it may underestimate your true ability.

May I use any other resources during a placement assessment?
You may only use a pen or pencil, paper, and the resources provided by ALEKS. You may not receive assistance from friends, family, other websites, textbooks, or any other resource not provided by ALEKS. Using outside resources may lead to improper placement and ultimately course failure. 

What is my placement result?
Your placement result is your percentage mastery on the proctored (2nd and/or 3rd) assessment.

Course placement at Lincoln University is determined as follows: 

Cut Score (%)

Range (%)

Course Placement

≤ 24%

0-24

Elelementary & Intermediate Algebra  (MAT 101), Math for Liberal Arts with Algebra (MAT-106A)

≥ 25%

25-35

Intermediate Algebra (MAT 102), Math for Liberal Arts (MAT 106)

≥ 36%

36-49

College Algebra (MAT 110)

≥ 50%

50-69

Pre-calculus (MAT 111), Elementary Statistics I(MAT 114),  Finite Math (MAT 117)

≥ 70%

70-100

Calculus I (MAT 121), Calculus Soc / Sci Majors (MAT 120)

 

How long is my placement result valid?
Your placement result is valid for 6 months.

Can I practice using ALEKS before I begin placement?
ALEKS will begin with a brief tutorial before your placement begins.

How long do I have access to my Prep and Learning Module?
You will have six weeks of access from the time that you start using your Prep and Learning module.

Is there an additional fee for my Prep and Learning Module?
Access to a Prep and Learning Module is included along with up to three placement assessments.

What are ALEKS Progress Assessments?
While working in a Prep and Learning Module, you will periodically complete progress assessments to solidify your gains in knowledge. 

Does progress in an ALEKS Prep and Learning Module count toward placement?
No, you must complete a new placement assessment to change your placement result. Click on the placement tab on the upper right of the page from within ALEKS. Only your placement assessment results will be used for course placement.

Can I change to a different Prep and Learning Module later?
No, you may only use one Prep and Learning Module. If you are unsure which module to select, use the module recommended by ALEKS.

What if I do not place into the course I wanted?
After you take the initial placement assessment, you can use a Prep and Learning Module to review and learn. This gives you a chance to improve your result during your second or third (final) placement assessment.

I did not place into the class I wanted. Can I take it anyway?
No, you must achieve the minimum placement result to take each corresponding class.

What if I placed into the class I wanted?
Congratulations! Continue to use your Prep and Learning Module to improve your chances for success. The placement result above is the minimum preparation required for your course! Take advantage of the targeted review and learning features in ALEKS to get a better grade in your class.

Where can I get help with ALEKS?
http://support.aleks.com/assess_placement

How do I begin my Math placement assessment using ALEKS PPL?
Once you are admitted and given Lincoln’s student status, the Math Learning Center (MLC) will sign you up and email you, your ALEKS PPL log in credentials. Please check both your Lincoln email and the email you used during the admission process regularly.

Once you receive your log in information please do the following:

  1. Sign in to https://www.aleks.com/ using the user name and password you received from MLC
  2. Answer the survey questions and go through the tutorial that shows you on how to navigate the system
  3. Take the initial placement assessment
  4. Once you finish the initial assessment, the system will take you to Preparation and Learning Modules: Five modules from basic algebra to pre-calculus that prepares you for the final (proctored) placement test that you are going to take either during your campus visit or online using LockDown Borowser + Respondus Monitor (webcam).
  5. Make sure that you spend at least 10 hours in learning mode to improve your score and ultimately save time and money.

For more Information about Mathematics Placement assessment at Lincoln University, contact 
Mathematics Learning Center
Telephone: - 484-365-7448 or 484-365-7485

Claude Tameze, Director, ctameze@lincoln.edu
Abel Ayele, Coordinator, aayele@lincoln.edu 
Lorrene Miller, Learning Support Specialist, lmiller@lincoln.edu