Math Placement Assessment

The placement assessment is designed to assess your mathematics skills and assist you and your academic adviser in selecting the most appropriate courses to sign up for at PSU. 

Determine If You Need to Take the Math Placement Assessment

You do not need to take the math placement assessment if you meet any of the following criteria:

• Completed Mth 095 or equivalent course at a college, university or high school (for dual credit) within the past 12 months with a grade of C- or better  
• Completed a college-level math course (level 100 or above) at a college, university or high school (for dual credit) within the past 12 months with a grade of C- or better
• Completed Calculus I or above with a C- or better at a college or university or high school for dual credit (twelve month time limit does not apply)
• Earned the scores below on an Advanced Placement (AP) exam or International Baccalaureate (IB) exam: 
  AP Calculus AB or BC exam: test score of 3 or higher 
  IB Math Test: see score requirements  

Incoming first year students
Incoming first year students who do not meet any of the criteria stated above AND are declaring one of the following majors, should complete the math placement assessment prior to signing up for Orientation: Biology, Biochemistry, Business (all concentrations), Civil Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Chemistry, Data Science, Earth Science, Economics, Electrical Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Environmental Science, Environmental Studies, Geology, Health Studies, Mathematics, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, Psychology OR are pursuing one of the Pre-Health Tracks.

If you plan to register for any course that uses the math placement assessment as a way to satisfy the course prerequisite (see course placement chart below), it is best to complete the placement assessment prior to orientation so that you can register for the class of your choice early and increase your chance of getting into the class before it fills.   

Continuing and transfer students 
Continuing and transfer students will need to meet course prerequisites in order to register for a math or statistics course. This may require that the math placement assessment be completed before you are eligible to register for a math or statistics course. For a complete list of the courses that may require the math placement assessment, see the course placement chart on this page.  

Math Placement Assessment Overview

The math placement assessment is FREE and completed in ALEKS, a web-based, artificially intelligent assessment and learning system. It uses adaptive questioning to quickly and accurately determine exactly what you know, don't know and are ready to learn. This means that the ALEKS assessment is unique for every student. 

You can take the assessment on a campus computer or personal computer with internet access and an updated browser. For a list of preferred browsers, review the ALEKS system requirements. 

The assessment consists of 25 to 30 questions, average completion time is about 90 minutes. You will have 48 hours to complete the assessment; if not completed in this time frame, that assessment will become unavailable. When you log in you will be given a new assessment. ALEKS automatically saves all progress, so the assessment does not have to be completed in one sitting. You can log back in anytime within the 48 hour period to complete it.  

ALEKS does not use multiple choice, but instead uses input tools in which you type or graph your answer. Before beginning the assessment, ALEKS will walk you through a quick tutorial on how to use the system, including inputting your answers, using the graphing tool and using the calculator provided.

You should only use the resources provided by ALEKS to complete the assessment. You should not use textbooks, websites, friends, family or a personal calculator. Incorrect use of these resources may gain you entry into a course for which you are not prepared.

The goal of this assessment is to assess your current skills so that you and your adviser can help you register for the appropriate math courses. If you are not satisfied with your score, you may retake the assessment. You are required to complete a learning module before retaking the placement assessment.

All placement results expire after one year, so you should register for your course within a year of taking the placement assessment.

Steps to Take the Test 

1. Log in to the Aleks Math Placement Assessment using your PSU Student (Odin) Account. 
   a. If you are not already logged in, you will be prompted to enter your ODIN login and password.  
   b. Your ALEKS Math Placement account is valid for one year after initially 
    accessing the ALEKS system, even if you didn't begin or complete an  assessment. You can regain access to your account by contacting ALEKS  Support (800-258-2374) and providing them with your account code  (begins with "SPDX" and displays at the top of the error message).
    c. If you are having any technical difficulties, contact ALEKS Support (800-258-2374).
2. Complete the assessment
3. Wait at least one hour after completion of the assessment to register for classes - the system needs time to process and record your score in the student information system. 

Interpret Your Score

After you’ve completed the assessment, you will see a detailed chart of your topic mastery and your score. Print or write down your results and take note of the courses you are eligible to enroll in based on your score. You cannot enroll in any courses above your score range, but you can enroll in courses below your score range. Bring your score and notes to orientation and your advising sessions. 

Retake the Placement Assessment

If you are not satisfied with your score, you may retake the assessment. The assessment will become available again 24 hours after your previous assessment. The placement assessment can be retaken up to four times. You are required to complete at least 3 hours in the Prep and Learning Module before retaking the placement assessment. This will help maximize your score and likelihood of placing into your preferred course. The more time spent, the higher the likelihood of course placement and course success. 

Enroll in Mathematics or Statistics Courses

Once you complete your assessment, your score will automatically be loaded into PSU’s student information system within about one hour. Wait at least an hour for your score to be loaded before registering for classes.

Once your registration window opens, you can enroll in the courses you were placed into. All placement results expire after one year, so you should register for your course within a year of taking the placement assessment. 

Prep and Learning Modules

Once you complete the assessment, you will have access to a Prep and Learning Module. Learning modules help you further prepare for your courses, help you place into your preferred courses, and can significantly improve your success and course performance. While meeting the cutoff score for your preferred course is a good start, that does not guarantee success in your classes. Using the Prep and Learning Module will increase your preparation for courses, making you more likely to succeed and support long-term mathematical success.

While working in a Prep and Learning Module, you will periodically complete a “Knowledge Check”, this is how the system determines if you have mastered the topics. The Knowledge Check is not the placement assessment. You must retake the placement assessment to change your placement results.

Accessibility

Contact the Disability Resource Center, they will work with the Department of Mathematics and Statistics to determine the best way to adjust ALEKS to fit your needs. 

Contact

For questions about taking the placement assessment contact mathplacement@pdx.edu. 
For technical difficulties using ALEKS, contact ALEKS support. 

Information for Academic Advisers

Please refer to  Math Placement Advising for interpretation of placement assessment scores in Banner SOATEST.