ALEKS Math Placement Assessment Student Guide

ALEKS is an adaptive math placement test that determines which math course is the best fit for you. It covers up to 314 math topics and adjusts its questions based on your answers – correct answers lead to more challenging questions, and incorrect answers lead to simpler ones. When you finish, you will receive a detailed breakdown of what you know, what you are ready to learn, and what you are not yet ready to learn.

You will receive up to 25 questions. The assessment is adaptive, so it will stop when it has gathered enough information to accurately place you.

Before you begin, make sure you have the following:

• A computer (not a tablet or phone) with a working webcam and microphone.
• A valid photo ID – a high school ID, driver’s license, or any government-issued ID works.
• A pencil and scratch paper for working through problems.
• The email address you used when you applied to UMass Dartmouth (e.g., Gmail, iCloud, Hotmail, or your high school email). Do not use your UMass Dartmouth email address to log in.
• A quiet, well-lit workspace where your face is clearly visible on camera.

Your assessment session is recorded by Respondus Lockdown Browser. Although you will see the word “Unproctored” in ALEKS, this does not mean you are unobserved. Respondus records your attempt and flags possible instances of academic dishonesty, which are reviewed by UMass Dartmouth staff.

During the assessment you must:

• Work on your own – do not ask anyone for help.
• Keep your phone and all other devices put away.
• Not use any outside resources such as websites, notes, or calculators (unless provided within the test).

Note: Students suspected of violating the Academic Integrity Policy will be required to re-take the assessment in person on campus. This could delay your academic schedule for your first semester.

1. Go to the UMass Dartmouth Applicant Portal. Sign in using the email address you used when you applied – not your UMass Dartmouth email.
2. Once you are logged in, click Next Steps in the navigation menu.
3. Scroll down the page until you see the section labeled Math Placement Assessment. Read the information provided on that page.
4. Click the button labeled Take Your Math Assessment Now.
5. On the next screen, click New Freshmen and Transfers – choose this option even if you already have a UMass Dartmouth login.
6. A verification code will be sent to your application email address. Enter the code and click Confirm.
7. Click Continue on the Login Information screen. A Welcome window will appear.
8. Click Continue to close the Welcome window, then click on the active class link shown in the colored box. Your class name will be unique to you.

Before the placement assessment begins, ALEKS will ask you to complete a brief survey. This survey does not affect your placement score.

1. Read the introductory screens and click Next, then Get Started.
2. Click Get Started on the pre-assessment survey page.
3. Answer all the survey questions on the first page, then click Next.
4. Complete the remaining questions on the second page and click Submit.
5. After a thank-you message appears, click Continue.
6. Click Get Started on the Placement Assessment screen to move to the next phase.

1. On the Placement Assessment page, read the guidance provided and follow the link to download the Respondus Lockdown Browser. Install it on your computer.
2. Once the browser is installed, click Launch Lockdown Browser + Webcam.
3. Click to open Lockdown Browser OEM when prompted.
4. Lockdown Browser will ask you to close any other programs that are currently open. Close them, then continue.
5. Read the Terms of Use and click Agree to proceed.

Before the test begins, you will complete a brief setup process to verify your identity and work environment.

1. Position your webcam so that your face is clearly visible. Click Yes to confirm.
2. Record a quick 5-second video of yourself as prompted.
3. Read the Additional Instructions screen and click Continue.
4. Read through the five recommendations presented by Lockdown Browser, clicking Next after each one.
5. Take a photo of your photo ID when prompted. A high school ID, driver’s license, or other photo ID is acceptable.
6. Record a brief video of your workspace so the proctor can confirm your area is clear.
7. Confirm that your face detection is working correctly, then click Continue.

1. When you are ready, click Begin Exam.
2. Read the final reminders on screen – you will receive up to 25 questions.
3. Have your pencil and scratch paper ready before you click Get Started on the first question.
4. Read the instructions carefully for how to enter your answers, as the format may vary by question type.

• Work independently. Do not get help from other people, your phone, or any outside source.
• Try every question. Even an incorrect answer gives ALEKS useful information about your familiarity with a topic and influences which question you receive next.
• Use “I Don’t Know” sparingly. An “I Don’t Know” response tells the system you have no familiarity with the topic at all. It is better to make your best attempt.
• Use the help icon if needed. If you are unsure how to use the on-screen tools at any point, click the question mark icon (?) for guidance.

1. When the assessment is complete, Lockdown Browser will notify you that your webcam recording is finished. Report any issues if prompted.
2. You will see a confirmation screen showing that your assessment has been submitted. Click Exit Lockdown Browser.
3. Click View Your Results to see your placement score.
4. Your score will be displayed on screen. Click Go to Your Institution’s Webpage to Learn More. This will take you to the UMass Dartmouth Course Placement Guide.
5. Click Next on your ALEKS score page to see a full breakdown of your results.

Your results page provides two key pieces of information:

• Your placement score: A number that determines which math course you qualify for.
• Your skills breakdown: Eleven pie-chart areas showing your knowledge across different math topics – what you know, what you are ready to learn, and what you are not yet ready to learn.

Visit the UMass Dartmouth Course Placement Guide to find your recommended course. On that page, select your college, find your major, and look for the score band that matches your ALEKS score. Your academic advisor can answer any questions you have about your placement.

• After viewing your results, ALEKS assigns you to a Prep and Learning Module tailored to the skills you are ready to build.
• The module uses a Learning Pie to track your progress across math topics.
• As you answer practice questions correctly, your pie fills in to show what you have mastered.
• You can click for an Explanation on any problem or use the Check feature to verify your work.
• A progress bar in the top right of each question shows how many more correct answers you need to advance to the next topic.

1. After viewing your score breakdown, click Continue to access your Prep and Learning Module.
2. Click Start to begin the module assigned to you.
3. Click Continue to view your Learning Pie.
4. Read the note about your Learning Pie and click Next.
5. Click Start My Path to begin practicing.
6. Follow the guided prompts to understand the landing page, then click Start to receive your first practice problem.

You are eligible for a second placement assessment attempt once you meet both of these requirements:

• Complete at least 5 hours of practice in the Prep and Learning Module.
• Wait at least 24 hours after completing your first assessment before taking the second one.

Note: We recommend spreading your 5 hours of practice over several days rather than completing them all at once. Research shows that spaced practice leads to better learning and improved test performance.

• Option 1 – Applicant Portal: Log back into your Admissions portal using your application email address and navigate to the Math Placement Assessment section under the Next Steps tab.
• Option 2 – my.UMassD.edu: Once you have a UMass Dartmouth account, you can access ALEKS through the Placement Assessment link in the QuickLaunch menu on the my.UMassD.edu portal.