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Testing Center - ALEKS Mathematics Placement

Testing Center - ALEKS Mathematics Placement

Texas A&M University-San Antonio offers the ALEKS PPL Math placement exams for students who would like to enroll into MATH 2312 Pre-calculus or MATH 2313 Calculus I. This exam is used for placement and proficiency purposes only and does not give credit for Mathematics classes. Students can also consider taking the CLEP test to get college credit.   

Prepare for the Exam

Upon purchasing access (instructions below), ALEKS will provide 3 unproctored tests for practicing and 2 proctored tests taken for a grade (proctored tests taken in a Testing Center are the only attempts counted for a grade). 

Students should arrive 15 minutes prior to their scheduled appointment to ensure that they are able to begin the exam on time. Scratch paper will be provided.

You must complete a practice/unproctored attempt 48 hours before taking your actual proctored exam at a testing center, for a grade. 

Students may not bring a calculator – one is built into the exam

You have 2 attempts to pass the proctored ALEKS PPL at a testing center.

Format of Exam

This exam is computer-based and adaptive with up to 30 questions. The test is not multiple-choice.

You will have 1 practice unproctored test available with registration, followed by a real proctored attempt taken at a testing center, then you will unlock 2 more practice tests before doing your final proctored attempt at a testing center.

Practice Test (unproctored) > Real Test (proctored) > Practice Test > Practice Test > Real Test

Time Limit

There is a 2 hour time limit for the ALEKS PPL exam.

ID Requirements

A valid government-issued ID is required (drivers license, passport, etc).

Scheduling

Schedule with the Testing Center's scheduling system, link provided below and on main page of website (see remote details below - if taking the exam at another Testing Center). 

Appointments: ALEKS PPL exam is offered Monday - Saturday at 8:30 a.m. 

Walk-Ins: Monday-Friday starting at 10:00 a.m. and offered up to 3 hours before the Testing Center closes.

Walk-ins are accepted on a first-come first-serve basis, as space becomes available. Please contact the Testing Center at 210-784-1366 for current walk-in hours.

Walk-ins are not accepted on Saturdays.

Cost

The cost for ALEKS PPL access is $20. This includes up to 3 practice exams and a minimum of 2 proctored exams for placement.

Purchase Access to the ALEKS PPL

  1. Log into JagWire & click "Student Resources," then "student services" which has a link to ALEKS Math Placement (JagWire.tamusa.edu > Student Resources > Student Services > ALEKS Math PPL).
  2. Find the “incoming students” tab/square on the bottom of the page & click the menu button (labeled “…”) and click “Apply Access” to continue.
  3. Choose, “No, I need to purchase an access code.”
  4. After being redirected to the McGraw Hill website, fill out all personal information and pay for access to the exam. Search "Texas" to find our school (make sure to click the search/magnifying glass icon).
  5. Complete an ALEKS unproctored practice test & wait 48 hours before proctored testing.
  6. Register to take your test at the on the Testing Center website, whether you want to take it on campus or another testing center (details below for remote testing).

The exam must be completed 2 weeks prior to the start of the semester.

The math department and/or advising may have preferred completion dates, to ensure you get registered for classes in a timely fashion. 

48 hours is required between each attempt, including practice (cool down period), to allow time for to review & study. 

Taking the test proctored in a testing center is required in order for the resulting score to be used for placement. 

Remote (Non-Virtual) Testing (for students testing off-camps at another testing center)

  1. Pay for ALEKS access on JagWire (JagWire.tamusa.edu > Student Resources > Student Services > ALEKS Math PPL) & complete practice tests.
  2. Find a Testing Center near you willing to administer the ALEKS PPL. 
  3. Register for the remote testing option on the A&M San Antonio Testing Center website. (schedule an appointment > placement exams > ALEKS > Remote (Non-Virtual))
  4. Make an appointment at the testing center you confirmed in step 2.

Remote ALEKS exams can take up to 7 business days to set up for the testing center of your choice (please register on the TAMUSA Testing Center website with at least 7 business days notice). 

Note: It is the students responsibility to find an appropriate testing center (Google "[your region] Testing Center," then call & ask if they do ALEKS for other schools).

Remote exam passwords expire - if you reschedule your remote ALEKS appointment, notify both testing centers several business days in advance. 

Course Placement Recommendations Based Off Test Score

0 - 60

MATH 1314

College Algebra

This is an in-depth study  of polynomial, rational, radical, exponential and logarithmic functions, their applications, and systems of equations using matrices. Additional topics such as sequences, series, probability, and conics may be included.

61 - 75

MATH 2312

Pre-calculus

This course is an in-depth combined study of algebra, trigonometry, and other topics for calculus readiness.

76 - 100

MATH 2313

Calculus I
The course encompasses the study of limits, continuity, and derivatives of algebraic, trigonometric and transcendental functions and related applications to include maximizing or minimizing a function and rate of change problems. This course also introduces the definite integral, the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus and application to calculation of areas. Curve sketching and graphing tools will be utilized in exploring these concepts. 

 
Students that are unsure about their placement should contact the Mathematics program (210) 784-2428 or talk with their academic advisor.

Sending Your Scores To/From Another Testing Center

ALEKS requirements are set at each institution separately. Because of this, Texas A&M Univ. - San Antonio does not send nor accept ALEKS scores from other institutions.

Accommodations 

Students authorized accommodations must contact Disability Support Services and their respective college.

Schedule ALEKS with the TAMUSA Testing Center:

Schedule an Appointment