ALEKS Math Placement Test at Shippensburg University

About the ALEKS Math Placement Test

Shippensburg University requires an ALEKS Placement, Preparation and Learning (ALEKS PPL) Assessment to determine readiness for mathematics courses. ALEKS PPL is a web-based program that uses artificial intelligence to map a student’s strengths and weaknesses. The purpose of ALEKS is to place students into an appropriate first mathematics course at Ship.  Students may take the ALEKS placement test a total of 5 times with the hope of improving their scores so that they are not placed into a first math course that is below their ability.  Once a student earns a grade in a math class at Ship, it is their grade in the class that determines their future placement.  Students may continue to take the ALEKS test until the withdrawal date of their first math course, or for one year from their first ALEKS placement test, whichever comes first.   

The Placement Assessment is up to 30 questions and generally takes 60-90 minutes to complete. After the Placement Assessment, an individualized Prep and Learning Module is available for students to refresh their knowledge on forgotten topics. Three hours is required in the Prep and Learning Module BEFORE retesting. Students then can retest to improve their placement. Select the Prep and Learning Module that matches the course you want to test into.

ALEKS consists of three parts:

• An initial placement assessment, which will give you a math placement level, as shown on the Math placement level chart.
  PLEASE NOTE: These assessments require a webcam and a lockdown browser extension that is NOT compatible with Chromebooks. You must use a Windows or Mac device to complete your ALEKS test. Cell phones do not work.
• If you want to retest, you must complete 3 hours in a Prep and Learning Module.
• Access to 4 additional Placement Assessments. You can repeat this test to continue trying to improve your placement result.

Shippensburg University encourages each student to spend time in the Prep and Learning Module, even if the desired score is achieved, because time spent in ALEKS will ultimately lead to better preparation and improved grades.

Click here to view the ALEKS PPL FAQ Sheet

Accessing the ALEKS Math Placement Test

The ALEKS Placement Test is 100% online. If you are required to complete a placement test, you will see a Placement Activities checklist item in your Admissions Portal, as well as the instructions for completing the ALEKS Test. Math Placement Level info can be found here.

Advising Notes:

1. A “STEM major” is any SU major requiring MATH 211 Calculus I.
2. MATH 110 Fundamentals of Mathematics I is only available to Education majors.
3. Quantitatively-minded students in majors that require Applied Statistics and who place at level 5 or higher may be encouraged to consider MATH 217 Statistics I instead of MATH 117.

Additional Notes:

• Math requirements for Middle-Level Education majors vary according to their concentration. Contact the Teacher Education department for more information.
• Math Placement Level 6 is required to declare Computer, Electrical, Mechanical, or Civil Engineering  

After the Placement Test

Math placement scores can fall into one of six categories. 

Different majors will have different math requirements. To help you make sense of your math requirements see the Guidebook for Advising Undergraduate Students to view math General Education Requirements as well as major-specific math requirements as well as the Math placement flow chart. 

Math Placement FAQs

Am I required to take the placement test? 

Yes, unless you meet one of the following criteria:

1. Prior college coursework in mathematics with a passing grade
2. SAT-M of a 520+
3. ACT-M of a 20+

4. Calculus, Precalculus, Trigonometry, Algebra II/II, College Algebra or Statistics in your junior or senior year of high school (recent graduates only).

Can I increase my math placement level?

Yes! If you are placed based on your SAT/ACT score or high school course, you can take the ALEKS test to increase you level. Below are the levels associated with SAT/ACT scores.

• SAT-M between 520 and 540, inclusive:  Level 3
• SAT-M between 550 and 570, inclusive: Level 4
• SAT-M between 580 and 600, inclusive: Level 5
• SAT-M equal to 610 or above: Level 6
• ACT-M equal to 20: Level 3
• ACT-M equal to 23: Level 4
• ACT-M between 24 and 25, inclusive: Level 5
• ACT-M equal to 26 or above: Level 6

Increasing your level in this way will allow you to take fewer Math classes at Shippensburg, which will save you money, get you on track with your chosen field of study, and make it much more likely that you will graduate in four years. Our goal is to make sure that you are in the appropriate math course based on your math skill level.

Taking ALEKS to increase your math level is meant to give you an opportunity to demonstrate the mathematical knowledge that you already have. It is not intended to replace any existing math course, and it cannot be used to earn credit in a course.

If you would like to try to increase your math level, please email testing@ship.edu.