Understanding Your Exam and Frequently Asked Questions

Why a Mathematics Placement Exam?

The ALEKS placement exam is administered in order to ensure the following:

  1. That you are successful in your first mathematics course at CUC
  2. That you move efficiently toward completing graduation requirements

Taking a course that you are not prepared for can set you back a semester and negatively impact your GPA. Taking a course you do not need is a waste of your time. The proctored exam is a proven effective placement instrument.

Who must take the placement exam?

All entering first-year students or transfers that still need a mathematics course to complete their program must take the proctored ALEKS placement exam. If your AP scores or transfer credits have not yet been received by CUC at the time of your scheduled Jump Start, you will still need to take the ALEKS assessment. However, when received, AP scores and transfer credit will take precedence over the ALEKS score for placement.

What is ALEKS?

ALEKS is a computer-based, responsive exam that asks different questions based upon your responses to previous questions. In this way, ALEKS can zero in on your strengths and weaknesses and find the best first course in mathematics to suit your needs. The beauty of the ALEKS product is that it includes the option of practice modules that will help you improve your placement or help you do better in the course you take.

When do I take the placement exam?

The proctored exam used to determine placement is taken at least one week before your scheduled Jump Start date.  Contact your Admission Counselor for available dates for video-monitoring of the proctored exam. You may first take a practice exam online at home, un-proctored, to gain familiarity with the ALEKS platform and to unlock the practice learning modules.

Learn more about taking the practice assessment at home.

How Can I Improve My Score?

After taking the exam, if you want to improve your score, ALEKS provides individualized sets of learning modules geared toward your personal performance. You access the ALEKS Prep and Learning Modules (PPL) through the Jump Start tab, just as you accessed the exam. You must spend at least 8 hours in the PPL before retaking the exam. Additionally, a period of 48 hours must pass between completing one exam and starting the retake.

Your official mathematics placement will be determined by performance on the exam that is proctored remotely at least a week before your scheduled Jump Start visit. You may take a free online practice exam at home, prior to taking the proctored exam.

How long will the practice assessment take?

The assessment will ask up to 27 questions. You should allow yourself a 2-3 hour window to complete the exam, though most iterations are completed in under an hour. If you do not complete the practice assessment in one sitting, you will have 48 hours to complete it before the assessment is reset.

How do I get started?

  1. Log in to Concordia Connect using your CUC username and password. Click on Admit-Jump Start. Information about the placement exam will be found in the ALEKS Math Placement block on that page. 
  2. Click "Take the Practice Exam" (note, this link will only be live during months preceding Jump Start sessions).
  3. You will complete a tutorial to learn how to use ALEKS prior to beginning your assessment. We highly encourage you to take time to complete the entire tutorial so you will be comfortable navigating all the problem types.
  4. After your initial assessment, check the Math Placement Score Table to see the courses in which you are tentatively eligible to enroll.
  5. If you did not earn the proficiency score you think you should, don’t worry. You can utilize the prep and learning modules to review before you take the proctored exam.
  6. If you earned the placement result needed to enroll in a particular course, you are still eligible and encouraged to utilize the ALEKS learning modules to review and keep your skills sharp for the official proctored administration of the exam.

Do I need a calculator?

No calculator is allowed on the exam besides the online calculator provided by ALEKS. It is provided on specific problems and disabled on others. Working through the tutorial will help you learn how to use the calculator provided. Accessing unauthorized resources will jeopardize the accuracy of your score.

It is just a placement exam, why can’t I get a bit of help?

You want to have the most accurate assessment of your current skill set. If you get help or use a calculator when not permitted, ALEKS will not be able to advise you properly of the modules you should work on to improve for the official proctored assessment. You might have a false sense of how you will eventually be placed and miss the opportunity to work to improve your score.

Have additional questions? 

Read our list of frequently asked questions (PDF).

Your ALEKS score indicates which course you are ready to begin. If you take the exam multiple times, the best score will be used to determine placement. Remember, you can work to improve your score by working on the ALEKS Learning Modules. With some review you may be able to eliminate a prerequisite course or do better in the course you have placed in. If you have questions about which course is required for your program of study, consult with an Academic Advisor.

Minimum ALEKS Score

Concordia-Chicago Math Course Eligibility

1

MAT 0100-

Fundamentals of Mathematics

22

MAT 1010-

Advanced Intermediate Algebra

30

MAT 1400-

Descriptive Statistics

35

MAT 1411-

Math Concepts: Number & Measurement

35

MAT 1412-

Math ECE Teachers: Geometry, Statistics, Function

35

MAT 1550-

Finite Mathematics

46

MAT 1805-

College Algebra 

46

MAT 1812-

Math Elementary Teachers: Algebra, Geometry, Statistics

55

MAT 2000-

Statistics

61

MAT 1820-

Pre-Calculus

61

MAT 2400-

Calculus for Business and Life Sciences

76

MAT 2500-

Calculus I

View Concordia-Chicago's course descriptions in the Academic Catalog.

Flowchart of Five Common Course Sequences

Courses below the dotted line require college credit.

Courses above the dotted line are prerequisite courses that can be satisfied by approved college credit or by ALEKS Placement.

Check the Course Catalog or ask your Academic Advisor for the sequence that matches your program.