Mathematics
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ALEKS Math Placement

NOTICE: You need to read all of the information on this page and watch the two instructional videos below prior to starting ALEKS.  Failure to do so may result in an inaccurate placement and hinder your ability to succeed academically at WMU.

Assessment and LEarning in Knowledge Spaces (ALEKS) is a web-based, artificially intelligent assessment and learning system. ALEKS uses adaptive questioning to quickly and accurately determine what a student knows and doesn't know in a subject. ALEKS then provides access to free learning modules on the topics you are prepared for.

ALEKS is an "assessment," not a graded test. The purpose of the placement assessment is to give good measure of your current skills and to place you so that you will be successful in your mathematics courses. Incorrect answers are used to guide ALEKS in determining the limits of your knowledge, so there is no benefit to cheating. Your only reward for cheating is being placed in a class that is too difficult for your current level of mathematical knowledge. 

ALEKS

Assessment and LEarning in Knowledge Spaces

At the end of the ALEKS assessment, you will be given a better sense of your strengths and weaknesses in mathematics. You will then have the opportunity to build your skill set in the free Prep and Learning modules ALEKS assigns to you. The most important thing is that you take the assessment seriously and do your best.

 

 

ALEKS is an assessment, not a test.

Who needs to take ALEKS?

Under 27

ACT math subscore

Under 640

SAT math subscore

Students with an ACT Math subscore of less than 27 or SAT Math subscore of less than 640 must complete the ALEKS Math Placement Assessment prior to attending Orientation.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

No. Western Michigan University will cover the cost of taking the assessment. Once you create an account you have one year access to all of ALEKS tools.  After one year, what ever score you obtained with the ALEKS assessment will be used for placement.

Yes, you may take up to five placement assessments in the first year. However, in order to retake your assessment, you must spend at least five hours working in the ALEKS Prep and Learning modules between each attempt. These Prep and Learning modules are free and customized to your current skill set. On average, WMU students who work through the ALEKS modules and retake their assessment improve their placement by one whole class level – shortening their timeline to graduation and saving themselves thousands of dollars in the process.

No. It is a timed, two-hour, virtually administered assessment that is scored by the ALEKS algorithm.

Yes. You have two hours to complete a placement assessment once it has begun.

The placement assessment requires approximately 90 minutes to complete, but the amount of time will vary by student. There will be a maximum of 30 questions and the assessment will automatically end after two hours.

After two hours, the assessment will end regardless of where you are in the process. You will be given a placement result, but it may underestimate your true ability. Your next steps would be to work in the Prep and Learning modules, improve your skills and re-take the assessment at a later date.

No, you are not allowed to use your own calculator or other outside resources. Do not use your phone, the internet, or ask others for help. For certain questions, ALEKS provides a calculator tool within the program. If the calculator icon has a line through it, it is because it is possible to answer the question without one. Otherwise, you are only allowed to use pencil and paper as an aide to work through problems. There is absolutely no benefit for you if you cheat. Be honest, do your best, and you will set yourself up for success.

Your ALEKS score is not the number of questions you answered correctly, but the percentage of them. This percentage is used to match you with the math course that’s right for you. If you take the assessment more than once, your placement is determined by the highest assessment score. Course placements are listed at the bottom of this page.

Your placement result is valid for two (2) years.

ALEKS will begin with a brief tutorial before your assessment begins, but there will not be an opportunity to practice questions or study before taking ALEKS for the first time. You should consider your first assessment attempt and working through your Prep and Learning modules as practice for taking ALEKS a second time. Although your first score could be used for your math course placement, you are welcome to take the assessment again if you are dissatisfied. Your new score will replace the original one each time you retake ALEKS. You may take the assessment up to five times in one year.

You will have one year of access from the time that you start using your Prep and Learning module.  If your program requires a math course and you register for a math course immediately, then you can use the Prep and Learning module to help learn the material in the math course you are taking.

No, you must complete a new assessment to change your placement result.

No, ALEKS will automatically place you into the most appropriate module for your assessed skill level.

You can work through your Prep and Learning Modules to review and learn, then take  your assessment again to improve placement results.

No, you must achieve the minimum placement result to take each corresponding class.

Your ALEKS placement score is good for two years.  Because of this, waiting to take a math class is not recommended.

ALEKS Placement Scores

ALEKS provides a percentage-based score for placement exams. Please see the table below for required scores for course equivalencies.

Please note: Algebra II is the minimum placement required for students who wish to enter the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences. Either Math 1220 or Math 1700 is acceptable for all calculus-based programs in the College.

Beginning Fall 2026

ALEKS placement cut scores will change to the following:

0-19%
MATH 1090 Pre-Algebra
 
20%+
MATH 1100 Algebra 1
 
40%+
MATH 1110 Algebra 2
MATH 1160 Finite Math
STAT 2160 Introductory Statistics
STAT 2600 Data Analysis Using R
 
55%+
MATH 1178 Pre-Calculus A
CHEM 1100 General Chemistry I
CHEM 1110 General Chemistry Lab I
 
65%+
MATH 1179 Pre-Calculus B
MATH 1180 Pre-Calculus
MATH 2000 Calculus w/ Applications
 
76%+
MATH 1220 Calculus I

ALEKS Assessment Instructions

  1. Watch all 3 videos linked above before beginning
  2. Access the ALEKS Placement Assessment Here
  3. Sign in using your Bronco netID and Password
  4. You will be prompted to provide a code in order to access the assessment.
  5. The code is case sensitive and is all one word: FIVE69SUMMER
  6. When the ALEKS screen loads, click on the blue box and follow the directions.
  7. You will be asked to answer a few questions and complete the tools tutorial, then you can start the assessment!

ALEKS access code:

FIVE69SUMMER

case sensitive, no spaces