Assessment and LEarning in Knowledge Spaces (ALEKS) is IUPUI's new math placement tool. This assessment will provide you and your advisor with information on your mathematical strengths and weaknesses. At student orientation, your advisor will use your ALEKS percentage score to help place you in the math course that gives you the best chance for success.
In addition, you will be given the opportunity to complete self-guided ALEKS Learning Modules to strengthen your math skills before the start of the fall semester.
You do not have to prepare before beginning ALEKS, however, it is important that you take this test seriously as it will determine your placement in mathematics. After taking the initial assessment in ALEKS, you will have the opportunity to use learning modules to brush up on specific mathematical topics that you might need more practice on. This will not only help you place into your preferred Mathematics course, but will also make you more likely to succeed in that course.
You may take the ALEKS Math Assessment up to five times within a one-year period. ALEKS saves all of your responses, so the test does not have to be completed in one sitting. However, if you do not complete the test in 24 hours, you will have to restart the assessment.
To ensure your best score, begin ALEKS at least ten days prior to your orientation date. Once you have registered, you will have six weeks to complete the assessment and learning modules.
ALEKS consists of 3 parts:
Initial assessment
Review and instruction modules
Four reassessments
For ALEKS to be effective, you must do the exam on your own, without notes, books, or help from others. ALEKS is not a traditional exam; it is a tool to help you find the course where you'll have the best chance to succeed. There is no time limit for the initial assessment, but the average completion time is approximately 90 minutes. ALEKS does not use multiple-choice, but instead ask a series of free response questions. Before beginning the initial assessment, ALEKS will walk you through a quick tutorial on how to use the system, including: inputting your answers, using the graphing tool, and using the calculator provided. ALEKS can be accessed at any time using a computer with and Internet connection that meets the minimum system requirements. ALEKS saves all of your responses, so the test does not have to be completed in one sitting and can be accessed at any time by simply logging back in. If you are having technical difficulties, contact ALEKS Customer Support
When taking ALEKS:
Plan ahead so that you have at least 90 minutes of uninterrupted time.
Have a pencil and plenty of scratch paper.
An online calculator will be provided, as needed. You should not use your own physical calculator while using ALEKS.
Upon completion of your ALEKS assessment, you will see a summary page like the one pictured below:
After taking the initial assessment, you will have the opportunity to use a learning module in ALEKS to refresh and practice specific mathematical topics unique to your results. This will not only help you into your recommended mathematics course, but this will also make you more likely to succeed in that course. You should begin your learning modules immediately following your initial assessment. You will that have 6 weeks to use the learning modules and complete up to 4 reassessments. If you plan on taking a retest, please go directly to ALEKS.com and sign in with your ALEKS username and password.
After you've completed the initial assessment, you will see a detailed pie chart of your topic mastery called MyPie. After choosing More Detailed Report, you'll see your scores as a percentage score. Below it are the courses you are eligible to enroll in based on your score. For your records, print your results and write in the courses you're eligible to take based on the Math Placement Chart. Use this document during your orientation, advising sessions, and/or registration.
Students should consult with an academic adviser prior to registering for a proctored ALEKS placement test.
Note: IUPUI reserves the right to require a student to take the ALEKS Math placement assessment in a proctored testing environment (e.g., on-site when students attend their orientation appointments). Alternatively, students who are required to take a proctored ALEKS Math placement test can schedule a suitable time to take a proctored and in-person assessment at the Testing Center (located in SL070). The Testing Center requests that all appointments for proctored ALEKS Math placement assessments must occur at least 24 hours in advance of the test date.
Proctored ALEKS Math placement assessments have a time limit of three (3) hours. The student must complete the entire test in order to receive a score.
Students taking a proctored Math placement assessment will need to bring a government issued photo ID (e.g., driver’s license, passport, etc.) or the IUPUI supplied Crimson Card.
Enter your last name, date of birth, and University ID number in the fields provided, and then click "Continue." The University ID number was included in an email about setting up your computing account/checking your status. It was sent to you approximately one week after your application was received. If you have not yet received this email regarding your University ID number, contact the Office of Admissions.
Once this is completed, it will take approximately 48 hours, and then you may log in through the button below entitled CAS Authentication.
The Testing Center cannot provide this number through the phone or email.
Please Note: This service is only available to admitted IUPUI Students. In order to use this system, you may first need to create your IU computing account. This will be the main account you use for all activities at IUPUI. Once you have created this, it may take up to 48 hours to access this site.
Log In Times: ALEKS is unavailable between the hours of 10:00 PM and 6:00 AM (EST). Please do not try to log in between these times.
Retesting: If you plan on taking a retest, please click the CAS login button and sign in with your IUPUI username and password. If it has been sooner than one calendar year since you first tested, you will not be charged the $50 fee for a retest.