About Mathematics Placement

Success in mathematics starts with taking the right course. It is important to us at Mississippi State University that you are placed in the appropriate math course, so you do not waste time and money in courses for which you are over- or under-qualified. Mississippi State University uses a web-based program for placing students in the appropriate math class called ALEKS PPL (Assessment and Learning in Knowledge Spaces; PPL stands for Placement, Preparation, and Learning).

Please read all the information below! If you have further questions about this ALEKS PPL opportunity, contact Mr. Jacob Tschume at jtschume@math.msstate.edu.

Introduction Information

ALEKS PPL at Mississippi State University is an opportunity for you to start in a higher math class so you can catch up or get ahead in your math curriculum. Even if you have taken a previous math placement test at Mississippi State University, you are still eligible to take advantage of this opportunity.

If you are currently enrolled in a math class that you are happy with or if you have already earned college credit for math classes that meet your degree requirement, then you do not need to take the ALEKS PPL test (if you aren’t sure, touch base with Jacob Tschume and ask). Also, if you have a score of 26 or higher on the math portion of the ACT/SAT then you do not need to take this test since you can already sign up for the appropriate math class based on your curriculum.

How Does ALEKS PPL Work?

ALEKS PPL is a web-based program that uses state-of-the-art adaptive testing to map a student’s strengths and weaknesses. The Placement Assessment can be taken anywhere with a stable internet connection and a working webcam. The Placement Assessment contains up to 25 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.

You will be provided with three (3) proctored placement assessment opportunities to reach your desired score for math placement. These proctored placement assessments can be taken anytime between the time you sign up and the last day to add for the upcoming/current semester. Any assessments taken after the add date of a particular semester will allow placement for students into the next semester. Between each proctored placement, you will have requirements that must be met before being able to work on the next proctored assessment. Those are:

1. You must wait a minimum of 72 hours before taking another proctored assessment, AND
2. You must complete a minimum of 3 hours of work in the assigned learning modules within ALEKS PPL. These learning modules will help students focus on the topics that they struggled on from the previous placement assessment attempt. This will help students be more successful in the next attempt.

If a student is happy with their placement score and the appropriate class they have placed in, they can discontinue taking any further assessments. However, we do recommend students use all three attempts, unless they place into the highest score bracket.

If a student places into a higher math class than they are required to take based on their respective curriculum, they can request to take a lower level class by contacting Jacob Tschume (jtschume@math.msstate.edu). For example, if a student places into MA 1713 (Calculus I), but their major only requires Trigonometry (MA 1323), this request can be made to Mr. Tschume. Please make sure to check with your academic advisor on what math class you should be starting in based on your major’s curriculum.

The cost of taking the ALEKS PPL Placement Assessment is about $30 (plus tax). The cost of enrolling in the ALEKS PPL system is $25 and there is a $5 fee for the proctoring software within ALEKS PPL. These two prices will be separate charges that students must pay when enrolling on the ALEKS PPL site. Here is a short video showing the steps to use the Lockdown Browser and Webcam within ALEKS: https://youtu.be/tLuHgDtE5uA?si=zg4dlfOSTT6vf399 . Students are given up to three (3) hours to complete each proctored assessment.

IMPORTANT!!

• All placement attempts must be taken with an active web camera and will be monitored/reviewed upon completion. Mississippi State University’s Honor Code will be enforced on this assessment.
• To place into a math course for an upcoming semester, students must take the ALEKS PPL test before the start of each term. Students who take the ALEKS PPL test after the start of a term, may not be able to sign up for a math class they place into in that term.

Placement Score and Corresponding MSU Math Course

Your ALEKS score shows what course, or courses, you would be eligible to register for in the upcoming semester. Below is a chart showing which course(s) corresponds to your score.

Appropriate overrides will be processed within Banner. Students will be able to sign up for the appropriate class approximately 24 hours after completing the ALEKS PPL test. Be sure to complete any placement prior to the start of the upcoming term to be able to sign up for the appropriate math class.

How to Enroll in ALEKS PPL at MSU

Students wanting to take part in the ALEKS PPL assessment will access the site at the following link: https://secure.aleks.com/shiblogon/sso?sso_account=f7de97b. You will need to log in with your MSU Net ID and Net Password. If you do not know your Net Password or need to reset it, then you can do that here: https://netpassword.msstate.edu/start .

Once you log in, you will be directed to the ALEKS PPL site and need to click on “Add Class” and you will be prompted to type in a Class Code. The Class Code is GURUY-RKUQV.

You can then follow the on-screen instructions from there to access all the ALEKS PPL Information along with paying the fees associated with ALEKS PPL.

The first assessment that you take will be a proctored math placement test, so please take it seriously and make sure you allot yourself enough time to take the first assessment. After this first attempt, you will then be prompted to start working on the learning modules to help you prepare for your reassessment. Please note that all the work does not have to be done quickly, you have until the start of the next term to complete all placement test work within ALEKS PPL.

Additional Resources from ALEKS

Additional resources for students:

• How to take a placement assessment in PPL: video
• How to navigate the prep and learning modules in PPL: video
• How to use the Lockdown Browser and Webcam within ALEKS: video
• ALEKS Tech Support: 800-258-2374 or email/chat at www.aleks.com/support

If you have any questions, please contact Jacob Tschume (jtschume@math.msstate.edu). Please make sure to include “ALEKS PPL” in the subject line of your email so that your questions are answered appropriately.

Mathematics Placement Coordinator 

Mr. Jacob Tschume 

placement@math.msstate.edu

Location: Allen 458

Phone: 662-325-7176