What topics are covered on the ALEKS PPL Math Knowledge Check?

Some of the topics you might see in the ALEKS PPL Math Knowledge Check include:

• real numbers (including fractions, integers, and percentages)
• equations and inequalities (including linear equations/inequalities, systems of linear equations, and quadratic equations)
• polynomials (including factoring, integer exponents, and polynomial arithmetic)
• functions and graphs (including function composition, inverse functions, graphing)
• rational and radical expressions (including rational equations, rational exponents)
• exponentials and logarithms (including properties of logarithms, exponent rules, exponential and logarithmic equations)
• geometry (including perimeter, area, and volume)
• trigonometry (including trigonometric functions, identities, and equations)

It is okay if you are not familiar with all of these topics. The purpose of the Math Knowledge Check is to determine your mathematical strengths and areas for improvement.

What does my score mean?

The table below provides some guidance based on your Math Knowledge Check Score.

Score	Suggested next steps
0-35	Take Modern Quantitative Methods in your first year at Southwestern. Talk with your academic advisor about what an appropriate course load might include.
36-69	You are eligible to enroll in Modern Calculus I during or after Sprog Orientation. You must work in the ALEKS PPL Learning Modules to improve your score up to 70 by July 31. If your score is 70 or above by August 1st and you are currently enrolled in Modern Calculus I, you will remain in the course. If your score is still between 36-69 on August 1st and your are enrolled in Modern Calculus I, you will be removed from Modern Calculus I. If space permits, you may be automatically enrolled in the Modern Quantitative Methods course.  Check with your academic advisor to discuss potential next steps.
70-100	You are ready for quantitative courses at Southwestern! You can always return to ALEKS to brush up on topics you may have forgotten as you cover them in your courses.

I have taken the ALEKS PPL Math Knowledge Check - now what?  How many times can I attempt ALEKS?  Are there any rules around subsequent attempts?

Students are allowed 5 total attempts over a one-year period.  The ALEKS system settings (rules) behind subsequent attempts are as follows:

• You must wait 48 hours between each attempt, and…
• You must work for 3 additional hours in ALEKS before the second attempt will be available.
• You must work for 5 additional hours in ALEKS before the third, fourth, or last attempt will be available.

When do I take the ALEKS PPL Math Knowledge Check?

Southwestern University has invested resources in this product for all new students in an effort to optimize student success. All incoming students should plan on taking the ALEKS PPL Math Knowledge Check prior to Sprog.

Why must I take the ALEKS PPL Math Knowledge Check?

Upon completion, your results will be shared with your academic advisor to help determine the best courses for you to take. Even if you are not planning on taking a quantitative course such as a math or science class this year, your intended major may change over your time at Southwestern. Your ALEKS PPL Math Knowledge Check score will help your academic advisor determine which courses might be best for you. Even if you are a music major, this information will be useful as you choose courses to fulfill your natural sciences requirement or other quantitative courses in the social sciences.

What is the cost of ALEKS PPL?

There is no cost for incoming Southwestern students. You will have access to the ALEKS PPL Knowledge Checks and all of the ALEKS Prep and Learning Modules for one full year.

How much time will it take to complete the ALEKS PPL Math Knowledge Check? What do I need?

You will have up to 3.5 hours to complete the ALEKS PPL Math Knowledge Check once it has begun. The average completion time is 1.5 hours. If you do not complete the placement assessment in the allotted time you will have to restart the Math Knowledge Check.

When you are ready to take the ALEKS PPL Assessment, you will just need access to the internet, about two hours of uninterrupted time, and a pencil and paper. All other resources are provided by ALEKS (including a calculator when one is needed). Do not use your own calculator.

Why should I try my best on the ALEKS PPL Math Knowledge Check?

It is important that you take the Math Knowledge Check seriously to avoid unnecessary work. You will receive course placement recommendations from your instructor and academic advisor based on your score. If you receive a score that is lower than your true knowledge or abilities, you may be asked to do additional work or attend additional meetings. Some instructors may require you to work towards a particular score as part of your class.

What is Southwestern’s Honor Code?

Southwestern’s Honor Pledge: “I have acted with honesty and integrity in producing this work and am unaware of anyone who has not.”

You may not use outside resources (textbooks, friends, family, search engines, online equation solvers, calculators, etc.) while taking the ALEKS PPL Math Knowledge Check. Using an unauthorized resource or cheating on the ALEKS PPL is a violation of Southwestern University’s Honor Code and may result in disciplinary action. There is no benefit to cheating on the ALEKS PPL Math Knowledge Check – the goal of the assessment is to ensure adequate preparation for your math courses which can lead to success in these and future courses.

Who has to take the ALEKS PPL Math Knowledge Check?  Do transfer students need to take the ALEKS Placement Test?

Beginning Fall 2025, all incoming students - including transfer students - are required to take ALEKS, regardless of major.

Do I need to take the ALEKS Placement Test if I recently took the AP Calculus exam?

If you recently took the AP Calculus Exam in the most recent Spring semester, you will not have your scores until July, which is after the Sprog Orientation.  In this scenario, YES, you must still take the ALEKS Placement Test.  If Southwestern has received an earlier score of 4 or 5 on the AP Calculus AB or Calculus BC exams, then no, you do not need to take the ALEKS Placement Test.

Are there any exceptions to taking the ALEKS Placement Test?

It is only possible to be exempted from taking ALEKS if SU has received 1) transfer credit for Calculus I, or 2) a score of 4 or 5 on the AP Calculus AB or BC exam. Students will be required to take ALEKS if Southwestern has not received the transfer credit or AP exam scores.

Do I need to take the ALEKS Placement Test if I recently took the ALEKS Placement Test at a different school?

MAYBE NOT. If you recently took the ALEKS Placement Test at a different school, you might not have to take it again. This depends on whether the school you came from is set up to send your ALEKS scores. First, you must create your Southwestern ALEKS account. Next, you must work with Dr. Tran at tranw@southwestern.edu to see if you can transfer your test scores from your previous school to your Southwestern ALEKS account.

If your previous school allows for the score transfer, you do not need to take the ALEKS Math Placement Test. If your previous school does not allow the score transfer, you must take the ALEKS Math Placement test on your Southwestern ALEKS account.

What if I’m not an incoming student but plan to take Modern Calculus I?  Do I still need to take ALEKS?  What if I need the support from ALEKS - is there still a way for me to enroll?

If you are not a Fall 2025 incoming student, you are not required to have a score of 70 on ALEKS to enroll in Modern Calculus I.  However, if you are nervous about your background or want additional support you can reach out to Dr. Will Tran to learn about potential options.

Why should I take Modern Calculus I at Southwestern University and not at a community college?

At SU, we have a lower required ALEKS score (70) than many local community colleges.  For example, Austin Community College requires an ALEKS score of 80 to enter their Calculus I course and a 65 to enter Pre-Calculus, and all testing attempts (up to 5) must be taken in-person at a testing center.

Who will be my contact person once I have completed the ALEKS PPL Math Knowledge Check?

Your contact person will be Dr. Will Lopez Tran.  You may receive email communications from Dr. Tran regarding ALEKS.  If you have any questions after completing ALEKS PPL Math Knowledge check, you may email Dr. Tran at tranw@southwestern.edu.

What if I have problems with the software while I am using it online?

Please do not write to faculty or technical support people at Southwestern with ALEKS questions. ALEKS provides excellent support for their software. See http://support.aleks.com.