The ALEKS PPL program at Augustana
All students who attend Augustana College must submit their SAT or ACT scores if they've taken one/both of these tests (even if they applied test-optional.) Your test score(s) and high school GPA are used to calculate your Math Index Score (MIS) and determine your math placement.
You must have a math placement in order to pursue the following STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) majors or programs:
Applied mathematics
Biochemistry
Chemistry
Computer Science
Data analytics
Engineering
Mathematics and mathematics education
Physics
Pre-med
Pre-optometry (program)
Pre-pharmacy (program)
If you do not plan to pursue any of the above majors or programs, you do not need a Math Index Score (MIS) or math placement. Do not enroll in the ALEKS PPL program.
Students who have not taken the SAT or ACT can establish their math placement by taking an assessment through an online program called ALEKS PPL. (ALEKS stands for Assessment and Learning Knowledge Spaces Placement, Preparation, and Learning.) ALEKS PPL is a mathematics education tool used by the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science at Augustana College. Its purpose is to:
- Provide a math placement for incoming students who do not have a Math Index Score (MIS).
- Help incoming students improve their math placement, if desired.
- Help new and current students refresh their math skills in preparation for pre-calculus or calculus.
If you did not take the SAT or ACT you will not have a Math Index Score or a math placement.
→ Click here if you do not have a Math Index Score (MIS)
→ Click here if you want to improve your math placement
→ Click here if you want to refresh your math skills
Students who do not have a Math Index Score (MIS)
This information is for students who do not have a Math Index Score (MIS).
If you did not take the SAT or ACT, you will not have a Math Index Score or a math placement.
(If you took one/both of these tests, but applied test-optional, we still need your scores. Contact Admissions for information on how to provide your scores. Do not continue the process outlined on this page.)
Your math placement will be determined by a placement test using the ALEKS PPL program. There is no cost for you to complete this placement test. Complete this form to request access to the ALEKS Program. Watch your augustana.edu email inbox for a message from advising@augustana.edu. This message will contain instructions to create an ALEKS PPL account and how to get started in the program.
Please note, if you complete a placement test in ALEKS PPL, you cannot later submit SAT/ACT scores to override the ALEKS PPL placement.
Students who want to improve their math placement
This information is for students who want to improve their math placement.
If you believe your MIS does not accurately represent your math skills, you have the option of enrolling in ALEKS to demonstrate you are ready for a higher-level math course. The cost of ALEKS is $20, paid online when you enroll.
At the start of the program, you will take an assessment that evaluates your current skills and shows your strengths and weaknesses. ALEKS then targets the areas you need to improve and leads you through tutorials and exercises that will help build your skills. You work independently at your own pace.
You can take assessments (three maximum) along the way to monitor your progress. When you are ready to take a proctored test for an official placement, you will complete the test using an automated proctoring system called Respondus Monitor.
→ See instructions: Improving your math placement with ALEKS PPL
Students who want to refresh their math skills
This information is for students who want to refresh their math skills.
You can enroll in ALEKS to refresh your skills prior to taking pre-calculus or calculus. The program will assess your math skills and help you to independently learn the skills needed to improve the likelihood of your success in pre-calculus or calculus. The cost of ALEKS is $20, paid online when you enroll.
At the start of the program, you will take an assessment that evaluates your current skills and shows your strengths and weaknesses. ALEKS then targets the areas you need to improve and leads you through tutorials and exercises that will help build your skills. You work independently at your own pace. You can take assessments (three maximum) along the way to monitor your progress.
→ See instructions: Refreshing your math skills with ALEKS PPL
Understanding your ALEKS score
| ALEKS Score | Student may enroll in |
|---|---|
| 0-50 | MATH 090 Prep for College Math (3 credits)* Students must complete MATH 090 before moving on to MATH 140. MATH 090 is offered only in the fall semester to new first-year students. |
| 51-60 | MATH 095 Supported Math Review (1 credit)* Students must complete MATH 095 before moving on to MATH 140. MATH 095 is offered only in the fall semester to new first-year students. |
| 61-75 | MATH 140 Pre-Calculus Students qualify to register for MATH 140 and/or any course that requires a placement of MATH 140. |
| 76-100 | MATH 160 Calculus Students qualify to register for MATH 160 and/or any course that requires a placement of MATH 160. |
*Neither MATH 090 nor MATH 095 counts toward course or credit requirements for graduation. For Financial Aid purposes, it does count toward a student's attempted and completed credit hours. The grade earned in MATH 090 or MATH 095 is included in the student's GPA for determining financial aid and athletic eligibility, but not the GPA for graduation.