Math Placement Test

If you’re unhappy with your allotted attempts, and you have not started the math, English, or reading courses, you may appeal your placement. The Appeal Form is available from the testing staff via a request to testing@elgin.edu. All decisions on appeals will be made by the appropriate academic department designee in 15 business days or less from the submission date of the appeal. All decisions are final. If approval is granted, the student may pursue one additional test attempt in the approved subject area.

You can complete a trial assessment at Select an ALEKS Free Trial.

Please see the ALEKS PPL Student Module Reference Guide - PDF.

• Uses adaptive questioning to quickly and accurately zero in on your strengths and any weaknesses in math
• Covers material to place you into the right course, from Basic Math to Calculus
• It contains 20-30 questions and generally takes 45-90 minutes to complete.
• Provides a "Prep and Learning Module" after your first assessment to help you improve your placement.
• Most students take the placement test more than once.

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Your placement assessment score is a number between 0 and 100. It represents the percentage of topics ALEKS has identified you have mastered. Course placement is determined by your ALEKS score and your program of study.

Math requirements vary greatly based on your major, degree, or certificate and the requirements of your intended transfer institution. Speak with an academic advisor during new student orientation or before registering to ensure the correct math course is chosen.

Your math placement score is valid for two years. If you have not enrolled in your first math course within two years after taking the ALEKS math placement, you must retake the assessment to enroll in a math course.

Once you have enrolled in a math course at ECC, you will not be eligible to retake the placement assessment unless you earn an A grade in your first math course taken at ECC. After several years, you may continue the math sequence started or appeal to take the math placement assessment if you return to ECC.

You will receive a score report at the end of the test which is available online within 24 to 48 hours after completing it.

Review the testing scores summary to determine if you need to take placement testing. If you have not taken the ACT^®, SAT^®, PSAT, PARCC^®, HiSet^®, or high school equivalency tests, or if you do not meet any of the criteria listed in the testing scores summary, you must take ECC’s math placement test. If you meet the college-readiness math requirement and want to enroll in MTH 114, MTH 120, MTH 125, MTH 126, or MTH 190, you will also need to take the ALEKS placement assessment.