What is ALEKS
Eastern Iowa Community Colleges requires an ALEKS Placement, Preparation and Learning (ALEKS PPL) Assessment to determine readiness for mathematics courses. ALEKS PPL is a web-based program that uses artificial intelligence to map a student’s strengths and weaknesses. The Placement Assessment is up to 30 questions and generally takes 60-90 minutes to complete. After the Placement Assessment, an individualized Prep and Learning Module is available for students to refresh their knowledge on forgotten topics. Students then have the opportunity to reassess and improve their placement.
ALEKS consists of three parts:
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An optional Initial Placement Assessment (a practice test)
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The Prep and Learning Module, an individualized, self-paced online review. Students are encouraged to complete 3 hours of review prior to completing the Proctored Assessment.
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Proctored Placement Assessment (available at various college sites and local high schools)
Eastern Iowa Community Colleges encourages each student to spend time in the Prep and Learning Module, even if the desired score is achieved, because time spent in ALEKS will ultimately lead to better preparation and improved grades.
What is the purpose of placement testing?
The Placement Assessment results will be used to determine the most appropriate courses
for each student as they move forward with college coursework. After taking a Placement
Assessment, students should meet with their advisor to review their results and enroll
in the best classes based on their scores.
This is a “Placement Assessment,” not a test. The difference is that a Placement Assessment
is designed to determine what a student knows and what a student needs to work on.
At the end of the ALEKS PPL Assessment, a student will have a much better sense of
his/her strengths and weaknesses in math. Students then have a chance to brush up
on topics that may have been forgotten or haven’t been practiced for some time.
Be honest. It is important that the Placement Assessment is taken seriously and each
student gives it an honest effort so that the Placement Assessment truly reflects
their current level of knowledge and math preparedness. There is no benefit to cheating
on the Placement Assessment – the only result will be that a student enrolls in a
class that is too difficult, or not challenging enough, potentially costing time and
money. Therefore, while taking the Placement Assessment, students should not consult
any outside sources for help (friends/family, internet searches, textbooks, notes
etc...). The purpose of the Placement Assessment is to give an accurate measure of
a student’s current mathematical knowledge state so that he/she will be successful
in mathematics courses.
Questions? Call toll-free 1-888-336-3907, email eiccinfo@eicc.edu or contact the college nearest you and ask to speak to an advisor.
- Clinton Community College, 563-244-7000
- Muscatine Community College, 563-288-6000
- Scott Community College, 563-441-4000
t is the policy of Eastern Iowa Community College District not to discriminate in
its programs, activities, or employment on the basis of race, color, national origin,
sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, creed, religion, and actual
or potential family, parental or marital status, as required by the Iowa Code §§216.6
and 216.9, Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. §§ 2000d and
2000e), the Equal Pay Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. § 206, et seq.), Title IX (Educational
Amendments, 20 U.S.C. §§ 1681-1688), Section 504 (Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 U.S.C.
§ 794), and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (42 U.S.C. § 12101, et
seq.).
If you have questions or complaints related to compliance with this policy, please
contact EICC’s Equal Employment Opportunity Officer/Equity Coordinator, Eastern Iowa
Community College District, 101 West Third Street, Davenport, Iowa 52801, 563-336-5222,
equity@eicc.edu or the Director of the Office for Civil Rights U.S. Department of
Education, John C. Kluczynski Federal Building, 230 S. Dearborn Street, 37th Floor,
Chicago, IL 60604-7204, Telephone: (312) 730-1560 Facsimile: (312) 730- 1576, TDD
(800) 877-8339 Email: OCR.Chicago@ed.gov.