ALEKS Placement Test

 

ALEKS (Assessment and Learning in Knowledge Spaces) is an online math platform used by Tulane to help place students in the right calculus course. The test helps your college advisor understand where you are in your math preparation so they can recommend the course most likely to set you up to thrive. The platform also includes built-in learning modules for students who want to strengthen their skills at their own pace before the semester begins.

How the ALEKS Test Works

 

The Calculus Placement, Preparation and Learning (PPL) test is an adaptive assessment with approximately 20-30 questions covering topics from precalculus and early calculus. There is no time limit, and the questions adjust based on your responses.

Your score is not reported to any external party and will not affect your admission status or class registration. Results are shared only with your college advisor and the Academic Learning and Tutoring Center to support placement advising.

For the most accurate results, please complete the test independently without notes, a calculator or outside help. The goal is an accurate snapshot of your current readiness — not a perfect score.

The test opens May 1 and must be completed by May 24. Students who work through the ALEKS learning modules after testing have the opportunity to retest and potentially move into a higher-level course before the fall semester begins.

The ALEKS test costs $30. If this presents a financial hardship, please complete and submit this form to request assistance with the cost of the test.

Understanding Your Score

ALEKS scores range from 0 to 100 and represent the percentage of assessed topics a student has demonstrated readiness in. A higher score indicates stronger preparation for college-level calculus. Score ranges correspond to the following course recommendations (exact cutoffs provided by the Department of Mathematics and confirmed by your college advisor).

If you have taken calculus in high school, you should enroll in MATH 1310, Consolidated Calculus. Use the Prep for Calculus 2 Module in ALEKS to prepare and aim to improve your score on future ALEKS assessments to 90 or more. If you have not taken calculus yet, you should enroll in MATH 1210, Calculus I. Use the Prep for Calculus I Module in ALEKS to prepare and aim to improve your score on future ALEKS assessments to 90 or more.

You should enroll in MATH 1210, Calculus I. Use the Prep for Calculus I Module in ALEKS to prepare and aim to improve your score on future ALEKS assessments by at least five points over the course of the summer.

You should enroll in MATH 1150, Long Calculus I. Use the Prep for Precalculus Module in ALEKS to prepare and aim to improve your score on future ALEKS assessments by at least five points over the course of the summer.

You are not yet ready to enroll in a calculus course at Tulane. If you are pursuing a major that requires calculus, use the Prep for Precalculus Module in ALEKS to improve your skills over the summer and plan to participate in the Math Prep Cohort at the ALTC for the fall 2026 semester. Your goal should be to improve your ALEKS assessment score to 60 or more by November 2026 so that you are prepared to enroll in a calculus course for the spring 2027 semester.

What To Discuss With Your Advisor

 

College Advisors are here to help. Bring any concerns you have about calculus, your schedule or your overall transition to Tulane.
 

  • Your math background: What math courses did you take in high school? Did you take AP Calculus or dual enrollment? How confident do you feel in your precalculus skills?
  • Your academic goals: What is your intended major or area of study? Does your program require Calculus 1, and if so, by when? Are you on a timeline that affects when you need to complete the requirement?
  • Your placement score: Review your ALEKS score before your appointment. Your advisor will discuss what the score means for you and walk through your options together.
  • Your interest in the learning modules: If you are close to a cutoff score, your advisor may encourage you to use the ALEKS learning modules this summer and retest before Aug. 1. Ask about this option and what a realistic improvement timeline looks like.