Boise State University Department of Mathematics

A: Everyone enrolled in Math 170 must take and pass an ALEKS assessment that is tied to the semester for which they are enrolled. Prior semester assessments are not valid.

Q: What is the ALEKS Assessment?

A: The ALEKS Assessment covers a broad range of pre-calculus material. The ALEKS system is fully automated and the assessment is adaptive. The first questions asked will be drawn from across the curriculum and may be too easy or too hard. As the assessment proceeds your answers will provide the system an estimate of your knowledge. ALEKS will gradually focus the questions on areas at the edge of your personal abilities. By the end of the assessment you should find the questions generally challenging but reasonable. The length of the assessment runs from 20-35 questions. The exact number of questions will vary due to the adaptive mechanism just described. It is likely that you will be asked questions on material you have not yet learned. On such questions it is appropriate to answer, "I don't know." On any question that you have familiarity with, however, it is important to do your best. "I don't know" is interpreted by ALEKS to mean that you do not know the topic, and this will be reflected in the assessment results. If you do not do your best on the assessment, ALEKS will underestimate your knowledge.

Q: Why do I have to take the ALEKS assessment?

A: The ALEKS assessment is your first homework assignment. Like all homework assignments it serves three important purposes:

It benefits you as an exercise. All exercises improve your strength and abilities.
It gives your instructor information about your current Precalculus skills.
It gives you information about your current Precalculus skills.

Unlike most homework assignments, this one has additional benefits to you:

It pinpoints any weaknesses or gaps in your Precalculus skills.
If you assess early enough, you have ample time to improve on any weak points.
You can complete the assessment before the semester starts, so you don't have to catch up on background while your Math 170 class is moving into new material.

Q: When should I take the ALEKS assessment?

A: As soon as possible, once the assessment window for your semester opens up. The sooner you start the more opportunity you will have for reassessment or additional study, should this prove necessary.

Each semester has a specific window of time during which assessments are available and valid. The exact dates vary with each term: the fall semester window opens with the first summer orientation session; spring and summer windows open roughly with the start of the enrollment periods for those semesters. Contact the math department at (208) 426-1172 for details on any particular semester.

Q: Where can I take the ALEKS assessment?

A: The assessment is delivered online, so you can take it anywhere you have a suitable internet connection. You will also want enough space to work out math problems on paper before you enter the answers into ALEKS.

Warning!	Some users have had trouble installing the ALEKS plugin or connecting from home computers. Also, Linux is not supported.
Solution.	There are several open computer labs on the Boise State campus that have the ALEKS software installed. Details about lab hours and locations are here.

Q: How do I take the ALEKS Assessment?

A: Click here for detailed instructions for your first assessment.

Q: If I already took an assessment in a previous semester do I have to take it again?

A: Yes. Your ALEKS assessment is the first graded assignment of the course you are signed up for. You can't use last semester's homework to count for this semester. Neither can you use last semester's ALEKS assessment to count for this semester's grade.

Q: Do I need to install any plugins before I take the ALEKS assessment?

A: Yes. In most cases, ALEKS will do this automatically. If it does not automatically happen then you can attempt to troubleshoot the problem yourself. click here for guidance.

There is also an ALEKS support website that is only for students taking Assessments. The link is here.

However, the easiest solution is to just take the assessment in one of our OIT labs. Click here for lab locations and hours.

Q: I haven't taken a math class in long time. Should I take the ALEKS assessment.?

A: Consult with an adviser before you make a final decision. If you don't have an adviser you should contact your major department. You can also call the Math Department at (208) 426-1172 or get general academic advising through Advising and Academic Enhancement. Your adviser will probably tell you to take the COMPASS placement exam. Click here for testing information.

Q: Is the ALEKS assessment free?

A: The Math Department is operating a process of assessment, reassessment and remediation for all enrolled, or even prospectively enrolled, Math 170 students. For most students this amounts to a single ALEKS assessment that they can take even if they are not enrolled. For a small number of students it involves either a reassessment or some remediation. The total cost to the math department varies from semester to semester in a slightly unpredictable way. It depends non only on total enrollment but also on the total amount of prospective enrollment as well as the numbers of students needing reassessment and/or remediation. Some of the costs are bulk purchases of licenses from the ALEKS corporation. Other costs include the clerical work and staff time to administer the program and analyze the data. The department also incurs some costs for purchases of licenses for reassessment and remediation. The estimated total cost of this operation is spread across all students enrolled in Math 170 at the fee paying deadline for each semester. At this time the estimated cost per student is $5.25. If you remain enrolled in Math 170 at the fee paying deadline you will be charged this amount as part of your university fees.

Q: How long are my ALEKS assessment scores valid?

A: It is crucial that the scores are reflective of your current mathematical knowledge. For any given semester assessment scores are only valid if the assessment is taken in a window of time that is specific to that semester. See "When should I take the ALEKS assessment?" for details.

Q: What if I do not obtain required 70% score?

A: There are only three realistic options.

Purchase a reassessment for $5.00 (plus tax). This is recommended if your first assessment score was close to the minimum. This is a one-time option: if you have already used up your reassessment then you have to use the Learning Module or drop the course. Click here for reassessment.

Purchase the Learning Module for $30.00. This is recommended if your first assessment was well below the minimum or if you feel you need practice before you reassess.
However, the learning module is not useful unless you plan to spend significant time working practice problems. If you are close to the deadline then the learning module may simply amount to a more costly reassessment.
The Learning Module will supply you with practice problems and at least one additional assessment. The more practice problems you work the more assessments you can take. If at any time you post an assessment score of 70% it will count. Also, if this happens, BSU will refund half the purchase price. Click here to learn more about the Learning Module.
Drop the course. If you drop the course you should either enroll in the prerequisite course or spend the semester self-studying to improve your Precalculus skills.
1. The prereq for Math 170 is Math 147 (or Math 143 + Math 144).
2. There are many self-study options, but the best is probably the ALEKS Learning Module.

Q: Is partial credit possible on the ALEKS assessment?

A: No. If you meet the minimum score your assessment is deemed "successful". If not, then it is "unsuccessful" and the impact on your overall class grade will be to lower it by a full letter grade from what it would otherwise have been.

Q: Why would I purchase a stand-alone reassessment?

A: You might choose this option if your initial score was close to the required minimum.

Q: How do I purchase a stand-alone reassessment?

A: Click here for detailed reassessment instructions.

Q: Why would I purchase the Learning Module?

A: There are several possible reasons.

You might feel that you just want to review your Precalculus skills in an effective online learning environment.
Your initial assessment was below the minimum and you are not confident that a reassessment will go well.
You think that you could reassess high enough, if only you had a chance to practice on problems in the ALEKS environment.
You want to chisel $15.00 out of BSU. (It costs you $15.00 also, but some people think it's worth it.)
You've taken the free assessment and the reassessment but you didn't meet the minimum score. Now the Learning Module is your only option.

Q: How do I purchase the Learning Module?

A: Click here for detailed instructions.

Q: Are other Learning Modules available through ALEKS?

A: Yes, but none of them count for the Math 170 requirement. If your plans do not include Math 170 then you might want to explore the ALEKS website. However, you should consult your adviser or the Math Department before you purchase any products.

Q: How do I get technical support for ALEKS?

A: General ALEKS customer support is available at support.aleks.com.

There is a special support center for Assessment customers only at support.aleks.com/assesss_placement.

Q: How do I get general academic advising ?

A: Go to http://academicadvising.boisestate.edu/

Q: Can I place into Math 170, or other classes, using the ALEKS assessment?

A: Maybe, but only under special circumstances. If you do not meet the normal prerequisites for a math class you can contact the math department at (208) 426-1172 to discuss the possibility of using ALEKS to demonstrate your readiness. It is likely that this will require the Learning Module and a significant investment in practice problems. If you want just a placement test you should take the COMPASS exam.

Other departments might be willing to use your ALEKS assessment information as suitable prerequisite. Contact the department offering the course.