Prep for the ALEKS^® Math Placement Test

What is on the ALEKS math placement test?

The math on the ALEKS placement test covers Pre-Algebra, Algebra 1, Geometry, and Algebra 2. However, since the level of difficulty of each question is determined based on the student’s answers to previous questions, some students never advance to the Algebra 2 test questions.

MathHelp.com

4.9

Based on 259 reviews

The ALEKS program was very helpful with the perfect balance of instruction and practice.

Kevin Santos

21:46 20 Aug 24

The ALEKS test went great. I hadn't taken a math class for over 5 years so I was a little nervous to take the test so I wanted to be as prepared as possible when taking the test. It was really helpful in refreshing my memory and teaching me things I never learned. What I found most helpful was the video lessons as they helped walk me through everything. The program was really helpful.

Macie Jayne

16:17 16 Aug 24

Mathhelp was so helpful to me in passing my ALEKS test and my two other math classes. I am now a college graduate! The instructors were both knowledgeable and patient and the lessons were easy to follow. I could test myself over and over till I understood a problem. As a “non-math person,” whose last math class was over 35 years ago, I would never have made it without Mathhelp. It was worth every penny and then some. I. Will always be grateful. Keep of the great work.

Lynn Johnson

02:40 05 Apr 24

My ALEKS test went well when I used MathHelp! The most helpful tool to use was the review at every section and especially the final exam feature at the end. I loved having practice taking math tests again. It had been a long time! I loved how if I had a problem understanding any topic, I could use the links provided to go back and understand the background for each step. (For me, this applied to a lot of the exponential expressions and geometry stuff). I can't thank you enough for your program! It was great and I feel so much more confident about my success in my math classes coming up!

Hannah Scheib

16:53 29 Mar 24

I’m a huge fan!Both the Accuplacer and ALEKS courses were spot.I set a goal to see if I could cram learn and test into precalculus/ trigonometry inside of just two weeks - and I did it!I sincerely could barely do the foil method and I didn’t even know how to do long division and because of the course, and particularly Matt’s clarity in the lessons, I now play with functions for fun. :)Super grateful.

Selaznog Mada

19:28 07 Feb 24

Aleks test went well. The videos combined with the practice and test format with extra help videos on the side were great. The course is laid out perfectly.

Austin Collins

18:48 20 Jan 24

I found the course great! I have been out of school for a while so it was a great refresher before re attending uni. The skills I gained from this course definitely improved what my ALEKS score would have been. I found the tests at the end of each section the most helpful. But I also loved the short video format.

Zoe Thomson

20:34 29 Aug 23

Mathhelp was very helpful. I never went past Algebra 1 in High School, and then 7 years later I needed to place into precalculus to pursue my first college degree. I studied through all of the ALEKS Mathhelp lessons, and then I got a 64 on the test, placing into the math class I needed to be in.Thank you so much for all the help.

Hannah Burbrink

15:31 21 Aug 23

This is a great program that is very straightforward and helpful. I struggle with math and need a higher placement score on the ALEKS test to finish my Bachelor's degree. I studied with the MathHelp step by step plan for a month and did well enough that I placed into my class! Thanks MathHelp!

Jeri Hillegeist

15:42 13 Apr 23

The ALEKS prep was very helpful. I was able to test into a much higher math class than I'd expected. I loved the pace of the videos and that there were practice test throughout and at the end of each section. It helped me to figure out where I needed more studying. The whole course is really well organized at thought out. I most definitely recommend!

Lizzy Hitchman

19:29 08 Apr 23

The ALEKS test actually went really well! I got a 76, which placed me into the best section I could have. I think that the website itself was very organized in finding all the elements, and I also think that the condensed/ shorter videos combined with the examples were most helpful.

Olivia Beth Vaughan

15:08 28 Mar 23

I'm a returning college student who hasn't taken a math class in nearly 5 years. I felt like I needed somewhere I could build on my fundamentals, so I turned to MathHelp. I started with the first ALEKS lesson on MathHelp, watching all the videos, and taking every test until I could pass with a 100% all the way up to the end of exponential and logarithmic equations, which was lesson 179. Overall, I'm very satisfied with my time using MathHelp. Topics I remember as being complicated, like logarithms, were actually very easy to understand thanks to the short video format of the lessons. Recently I took the ALEKS placement assessment and scored well enough to place into pre calculus. I’m impressed I was able to do that well, going from barely remembering the fundamentals of algebra to nearly placing into calculus.

Peter Ogbuagu

18:57 20 Jan 23

I was attempting to place into calculus I and I did achieve that. I scored an 85 on the ALEKS. I was a very poor student in high school just so you understand the full picture. I'm trying to catch up on things I should have had a basic foundation in back then. So it was really nice to have a refresher course on all the rules and properties of math and algebra leading up to the calculus portions. Overall, I think the material was very well put together on your site. Clear and concise.

Jason Smith

13:21 02 Apr 22

‹

›

How to study for the ALEKS Math Test

1. Select an ALEKS study guide.

Make sure your review includes comprehensive instruction, guided practice, and interactive tests.

2. Learn the content.

Don’t settle for quick help that won’t move the needle. Use ALEKS Math diagnostic tests to determine where you should focus your energies, and don’t be afraid to go back to more basic lessons to build your foundation. You’ll also benefit greatly from grade reports to monitor your progress and keep you on task.

3. Practice efficiently.

Target the topics that are covered on the test - nothing more and nothing less. The best ALEKS Math test prep programs allow you to make the most of your time.

4. Take an ALEKS practice test.

Test prep books and practice questions are great, and classes and tutors are helpful, but there’s no substitute for seeing what you’ll actually face on test day and doing a trial run. Any ALEKS Math test prep course worth its salt will include practice tests as a core component of your preparation for the test.

5. Sign up for the test.

If you follow the steps above, there’s no reason to be nervous. You’ll be ready!

What is ALEKS?

ALEKS stands for Assessment and LEarning in Knowledge Spaces, which is an online program for math, business, science, and behavioral science. The learning is personalized and the assessments are adaptive, allowing the ALEKS to deliver the exact content that the student needs.

What is ALEKS math?

The ALEKS math assessment is an adaptive program that is delivered online and uses artificial intelligence to identify the exact areas where students need help based on their answers to open-response questions.

How does the ALEKS program work?

The ALEKS quickly assesses the student’s knowledge of a course by using just 20 to 30 questions in most cases. The reason the ALEKS works so well in such a short period of time (45 minutes or so) is that it adapts to the student’s responses. In other words, each question is based on the student’s answers to all of the previous questions.

How do I pass the ALEKS placement test?

Here are five tips you can use to do well enough to pass the ALEKS math test:

1. Don’t do the problems in your head – use pencil and paper.
2. Do use a calculator when available – some questions allow it.
3. Don’t go into the test cold – refresh your skills beforehand.
4. Don’t rush – you have a full 24 hours to complete the ALEKS test.
5. Do answer every question – there is no penalty for a wrong answer.

How many questions are on the ALEKS test?

The ALEKS test is composed of 20 to 35 questions. The questions are open-response and the test is adaptive, meaning that each question is based on the student’s answer to the previous question. It usually takes about 45 minutes to complete the test.

Is the ALEKS placement test hard?

The ALEKS placement test is hard because it’s adaptive. In other words, the more questions you answer correctly, the harder the questions become. Therefore, you’ll always be pushed to the limits of your knowledge. Another reason the ALEKS test is hard is that it’s designed to place you into any math course all the way up to Calculus, so the questions can become quite difficult if you continue to get the answers right.  Using Online Tutoring will help ensure you can easily pass ALEKS math.

What is a good ALEKS test score?

An ALEKS test score of 30 or more is considered good because it means you’re ready for college math. If you want to place into Calculus, however, you’ll need an ALEKS math score of at least 75.

Can I take the ALEKS test at home?

Yes, you can take the ALEKS test at home, and most students prefer to do so. The convenience of taking the test at home is one of the great advantages of the ALEKS compared to other placement tests that require you to take the test in person at a testing center.