ALEKS - Math Placement Testing - General Information and Frequently Asked Questions

Last updated 8/2/19

Beginning July 1, 2019, all new students will be directed to take ALEKs unless they are requesting a retest on Accuplacer. 

Which Math Placement Test will a Student Take? 

1. All new students with no testing history with MC will take ALEKS.
2. All students with ACCUPLACER Math scores more than a year old will take ALEKS.
3. Recent MCPS graduates with Classic ACCU Math scores (less than a year old) who want to retest, will retest with NextGen Math or ALEKS.
4. CE/WDCE students with Classic ACCU Math scores (less than a year old) who want to retest, will retest with NextGen Math or ALEKS.

Information about ALEKS Tests 1 through 5: 

1. Test 1 is a Diagnostic Assessment taken to determine a student’s current math skill. It is not proctored or used for placement.
2. Tests 2 through 5 are proctored placement tests that result in official assessment scores entered into Banner (proctored in Assessment Center).

*Study modules should be completed via ALEKS before each test to improve performance. Three hours of study modules are required before Tests 3 through 5.

ALEKS Placement Testing Process:

1. Students get information about taking ALEKS Test 1 (Diagnostic), in their welcome letter and email.
2. Students complete Test 1 (Diagnostic) on their own as recommended in the Welcome Letter/Email prior to coming to the Assessment Center. Students should be encouraged to take Test 1 (Diagnostic) in one of the Learning Centers. See item # 2 below under Implementation Questions for specific Learning Center locations. If students wish to, they will be permitted to take Test 1 (Diagnostic) in the Assessment Center. However, students must first claim their MYMC Account and set up their ALEKS account prior to coming to the Assessment Center. This is not the preferred location. See item #2 below.   
3. Students immediately receive their Test 1 (Diagnostic) numerical score upon completion of the test. Students also receive a result indicating the highest MC course for which their scores qualify them. For example, if they receive a score of 40 they will be told they are eligible for MATH 050/MATH 117.
4. Students who are satisfied with their Test 1 (Diagnostic) results will wait 48 hours before going to the Assessment Center to take Placement Test 2. Placement Test 2 is the first official placement test score that will be entered into Banner. Assessment Center Staff will direct students to meet with a Counselor after Placement Test 2.
6. Students who are dissatisfied with the Test 1 (Diagnostic) results should complete study modules in ALEKS before taking Placement Test 2. They must also wait 48 hours between Test 1 (Diagnostic) and Placement Test 2. Additional study modules must be completed before taking each subsequent test (Test 3 through 5).
7. There will be a 48-hour wait time between all Tests. Students will also be required to complete a minimum of 3 hours on study modules in ALEKS before taking Test 3, Test 4, and Test 5.
8. A referral from the Math Department will be needed before taking Test 5.
9. See item # 9 below for the specific point of contact in the Math Department at each campus. Referrals will be made via Starfish.
10. Placement test scores from Test 2 through Test 5 are entered in Banner which is loaded into the e-MAP, which gives students math course placement. We will continue to use the highest test score (from Test 2 through Test 5) for course placement.
11. If ALEKS placement results fail to post to Banner overnight, contact the IT Helpdesk and submit a work order.

ALEKS Implementation Questions: 

1. How will students be notified that they need to take the ALEKS Test 1(Diagnostic)?  Will this be in the Welcome Letter, Welcome Email, etc.?  How will students be notified about the study modules?
   • This information will be included in the Welcome Letter & Welcome Email with a link to the Assessment Center webpage.
2. Where are students going to be encouraged to take Test 1 (Diagnostic) (Assessment Center, math lab, at home)?
   • Students will be encouraged to take Test 1 (Diagnostic) in one of the Learning Centers listed below. They can also work on the study modules in these locations.
   
   
   Germantown: MAPEL Center (HT 229) , Science Learning Center (BE 244)
   

   Rockville: Ackerman STEM Learning Center (SW 109)
   

   Takoma Park/Silver Spring: Mathematics Learning Center (P1-101D) Science Learning Center (P1-101A) 
   
   
3. What if a student does not have a computer at home?  Where will the student be encouraged to take Test 1 (Diagnostic)?
   
   • Students will be encouraged to complete Test 1 (Diagnostic) in one of the locations listed above in item # 2. But, students may take it in any location where they can quietly focus for up to 2 hours. Utilizing the Learning Centers listed above is best because the staff in those locations will be able to assist and respond to questions. The Assessment Center staff will not be able to answer questions during testing as this would disturb other testers.
   
4. Will students be able to access Test 1 (Diagnostic) from mobile devices?  What are the recommended settings in which students should take the diagnostic?  For example, is the Welcome Center the best place to take it?
   
   • Yes, Test 1 (Diagnostic) can be accessed from any platform that supports MyMC login. The math department recommends that students take Test 1 (Diagnostic) anywhere they can sit and concentrate on mathematics for up to 2 hours. The Learning Centers listed above in item # 2 are the best locations to take the Test 1 Diagnostic.  The diagnostic is important because it will determine the content students are given to prepare for all future tests.
   
5. How long will it take to upload scores into Banner after the student has completed ALEKS at the Assessment Center?
   
   • Currently, this is an overnight process.
   
6. Can students access their own test scores? Do the score reports include placements?
   
   • Yes and yes. The raw score and the highest MC course placement will be given to students immediately upon completion.
   
7. How soon will students have access to their results and in what form will they receive these results?
   
   The raw scores for each test and the highest MC course placement will be given the students immediately upon test completion.  A student can log into ALEKS at any time and see all their previous attempts.
   
8. Will the student need to see a counselor in between each Test to know his or her placement?
   
   • Students must see a counselor after taking proctored Test 2 for interpretation and advising on appropriate course selection for their Program of Study. They will receive a course placement sheet.
   
   • If a student has questions about placement after taking additional Tests 3-5, counselors can provide assistance.
   
9. Will the student need a referral to take Tests 2-5?
   
   • No referrals are required for Test 2 – Test 4. A referral from the Math Department will be required prior to taking Test 5. Referrals will be posted in Starfish. Direct students to the designated Math Department contacts below for approval to take Test 5:
   
   Germantown:  Nafeesa Azizi - (HT 138), nafeesa.azizi@montgomerycollege.edu
   Rockville: Scott Poese - (SC354C), scott.poese@montgomerycollege.edu
   Takoma Park/Silver Spring: Lori Christy - (SN 102), Lori.christy@montgomercollege.edu
   
10.  What happens after taking Test 5?  Will there be an exception for students to take it for a sixth time?
    
    • Placement testing options end after Test 5. No exceptions can be made during the same testing cycle. Currently our P&P has 1-year life span for math assessment scores as long as the math sequence has not been started. This remains in effect for ALEKS.
    
11.  Are students allowed to retake Test 1 (Diagnostic)?
    
    No. Test 1 (Diagnostic) cannot be retaken.
    
12. Will placement scores be available in Starfish?
    
    • Placement scores will be available in Starfish, just like other placement scores.
    
13. Since students will have the opportunity to take Test 1 (Diagnostic) and Tests 2 through 5, should we stop offering the test "X" number of days before the start of the semester so that students can fully take advantage of all of their Tests as needed?
    
    • ALEKS allows each student a Diagnostic plus four test attempts; five total tests.
    
    All placement testing will pause one week before the first day of classes. Note the last day for testing in the Assessment Centers before the Fall 2019 semester begins is August 24, 2019.
    
14. Is there an amount of time that students must wait between each test attempt?
    
    Yes, there is a 48-hour wait time between each test. Students must also complete 3 hours of study modules within ALEKS before taking Test 3, Test 4, and Test 5. A referral from the Math Department is also needed to take Test 5. See item # 9 for Math Dept. points of contact. 
    
15.  Does the Test 1 (Diagnostic) allow MC to insert a survey, like ACCUPLACER, to ask the student questions about his or her study habits (StAMP initiative)?
    
    • Yes.  We have currently been asking a few questions.
    
16. What is the average time that it should take the student to complete the assessment?
    
    • Students should be able to complete the assessment in less than 2 hours; 65 minutes was the average during the pilot. For each individual student, the time needed to take Test 1 (Diagnostic) will be a good indicator of time needed to complete the proctored tests
    
17. At which point should recruiters be talking about ALEKS in the high schools?
    
    • Recruiters should be talking about ALEKS in the high schools now. ALEKS implementation starts July 1, 2019.
    
18. Will counseling faculty be able to access scores on the same day by logging into an "ALEKS admin site" like with ACCUPLACER or will they need to wait for Banner?
    
    No.  This information is in Banner. For students who have taken the test but their score has not yet uploaded into Banner, the student can log into ALEKS and show that score (or print it out) to a counselor.
    
19. Has this information been updated in the academic orientations?
    
    • Yes, the e-MAP contains ALEKS information and course placements.
    
20. When off-campus students have login or technical issues (code doesn't work, computer froze, etc.) with Test 1 (Diagnostic), whom should they contact?
    
    • They can contact the ALEKS help line at: 1-800-258-2374 or https://mhedu.force.com/aleks/s/alekscontactsupport
    
    • The login and username will be the same for students as their MyMC credentials.  Therefore, if a student forgets his/her information, the MC helpdesk is available for support as well.
    
21. Are students able to use a calculator during testing?
    
    • The only calculator allowed is the one built into the ALEKS test, and it does not appear for all questions. Students can learn more about the embedded calculator in the ALEKS tutorial available in their account.
    
    • Any accommodations for a handheld calculator would go through DSS.

Pilot for the Math Placement Test (late Spring 2018)

Rationale 

The Math Department in collaboration with the Assessment Centers will be piloting a free online learning tool to help students to prepare before they attempt the Math Accuplacer for the first time. Too often students are not properly prepared for high stakes assessment testing and finding a way to help students prepare in a timely fashion is a significant challenge.  We believe that a reasonable amount of targeted, guided learning provided ahead of time may have a significant impact on student placement. This pilot will provide resources at no cost to students so that we can measure if what we believe is true.  Funding for this pilot has been provided by a grant in which colleges across Maryland are participating.  Results will be analyzed by an independent agency to determine effectiveness.

Summary of Process/Timeline 

In the spring 2018, students will be randomly selected by the Assessment Centers to participate in this pilot.  Selected students will be required to complete at least 4 hours with preparatory resources before they take the Math Accuplacer for the first time.  Students in the experimental group will be given free access to ALEKS PPL, a formative assessment tool, intended to help them to prepare for the high stakes Accuplacer test.  Students will be given instructions on how to log on, complete a diagnostic test, and learning modules will be created to address the areas in which the diagnostic test determines they can build upon their skills.  Lab space will be provided at each campus to support students who want to complete the learning modules at MC.  Once students have completed the required hours on the learning modules, they will be able to return to the Assessment Centers to take their Math Accuplacer test.  All other testing will not be affected by this pilot. 

To determine whether it is the program making the difference or simply asking students to do a little review, there is also a control group of roughly 450 students in this pilot, who will be asked to complete a comparable amount of study time using other resources freely available online.  These students will be given instructions on how to log on and access to resources where they can build upon their skills.  They will also be able to utilize the lab space on each campus. 
No more than 900 students will be participating in this portion of the pilot (450 in the experimental group and 450 in the control group). The pilot will begin after Spring Break and continue until all codes have been used.  Peak advising times will be avoided and students will be minimally inconvenienced.   

FAQ

How will the Assessment Center determine which students are selected to be a part of the pilot and which will not? 

The Assessment Centers on each campus will have a process of randomly selecting students for the pilot.  Other students will go through the same Accuplacer testing process as they always have.  A selected student will be asked to complete at least 4 hours of preparatory work (either as part of the experiment or as part of the control). 

How will the students know if they are part of the pilot or not? 

Students who are randomly selected to be a part of the pilot will be given instructions and tracked by the Assessment Center.  This information will be coded in Starfish and students will be asked to complete the hours before they are tested.

Will this affect the reading, English, and ESL Accuplacer? 

No.  A student who comes in for testing can complete the other sections of the Accuplacer as they normally would.

What will happen with students who are selected for participating in the math Accuplacer pilot? 

They will be given instructions telling them that they need to complete at least 4 hours of preparatory resources before they return to the Assessment Center to complete the math Accuplacer.  These materials will be available in the Math 080 Labs at each campus and are accessible online from anywhere.  All test preparation materials are free to the student.

Who may I contact with additional questions? 

Questions counselors have should go to John Hamman, Milton Nash, or Bess Vincent.
Students with additional questions should email mathplacement@montgomerycollege.edu 

ESL Accuplacer Retest Information

Procedures regarding ESL Accuplacer and Writing Assessment and

check on placement testing

I.      Procedure for NEW students

a.    Students receive their ESL Accuplacer scores and placement at an academic orientation (I-MAP) or are given them by a counselor.

b.    Students who enroll in AELP courses are given a first-day check on placement/diagnostic test.  Based on the results of this test, some students may be moved to another level of AELP or into credit-level courses.

II. Procedures for students to RETAKE ESL Accuplacer

a.    Student does not enroll in an AELP course

Student may retake ONCE in a subsequent semester with permission.	Permission is given on a case-by-case basis with approval from the AELP coordinator, chair, or designee based on student having taken language courses elsewhere or having completed some other type of language intervention
Student may automatically retake in a year.	ESL Accuplacer scores are valid for placement for one year

b.    Student enrolls in AELP course(s)

Student may not retake ESL Accuplacer while enrolled in AELP courses.
Every student who enrolls in AELP courses is given a first day check on placement/diagnostic test.	Based on the results of this test, some students may be moved to another level of AELP or into credit-level courses.
High performing students in AELP classes may be given an early skip test at the end of the semester.	Based on the results of these tests, some students may skip the next level of the AELP course sequence.

c.    Student enrolls in AELP course(s) but does not take any additional AELP courses for one or more semesters (up to a year).

Student should register for the next appropriate AELP class or classes.	Progress and placement will be evaluated through the first-day check on placement/diagnostic test.
Student should see an AELP Coordinator if courses have been taken elsewhere and the student believes this may change his or her course placement at MC.

d.    Student enrolls in AELP course(s) and then does not take any AELP courses for more than a year.

Student may retake ESL Accuplacer.
Student may register for the next appropriate AELP class or classes.	The student is not required to retake ESL Accuplacer.

e.    Student took Accuplacer and Writing Assessment, was placed into WD&CE Pre-Academic ESL, and completed a WD&CE Pre-Academic ESL course.

Student may retake ESL Accuplacer after successfully completing a WD&CE Pre-Academic ESL course.

The WD&CE counselor/coordinator or credit counselor completes the retake form.

f.     Student took Accuplacer and Writing Assessment, was placed into WD&CE Pre-Academic ESL, and did not complete a WD&CE Pre-Academic ESL course.

Student may retake ONCE in a subsequent semester with permission.	Permission is given on a case-by-case basis with approval from the AELP coordinator, chair, or designee based on student having taken language courses elsewhere or having completed some other type of language intervention
Student may automatically retake in a year.	ESL Accuplacer scores are valid for placement for one year

Information on Assessment and Placement of Students

In order to promote student success and retention, students need to enroll in courses for which they demonstrate the appropriate academic readiness. This memorandum is a reminder of the College’s procedures regarding assessment and placement of students, including retesting and appealing placement. Information on assessment testing may be found at http://cms.montgomerycollege.edu/edu/tertiary2.aspx?urlid=58.
Most students are placed into reading, English, and math courses based on their placement test scores, SAT, ACT, IB, or AP scores, or based on coursework completed at another college. In addition, most college-level courses at Montgomery College list assessment levels for reading, English, and math as appropriate for the courses. For such courses, students must place at the designated assessment level(s) or higher in order to enroll. There is also a placement test for students who intend to take CH 101 (general chemistry). Students who have not passed CH 099A and who wish to take CH 101 should take the chemistry placement test at one of the campus assessment centers at least one day before they plan to register for CH 101. Students who have passed CH 099A (C or better) do not need to take the chemistry placement test.
New students whose first language is American English or who attended at least 10 years of school (elementary, middle, and high school) in the United States take the English, reading, and math sections of the Accuplacer. Everyone else who is required to be assessed must take the ESL Accuplacer, plus writing sample.
Students who believe that their Accuplacer scores do not reflect their knowledge and skills, based on prior coursework and achievement, should be referred to a counselor or advisor to determine whether or not they meet the criteria for a retake.
If a student has taken the assessment test at a Montgomery College campus or at a high school (using the Academic Initiatives code), this counts as his or her first Accuplacer attempt. These scores will be on SOATEST in Banner with a campus or Academic Initiatives designation. Students in this category may retest at Montgomery College one time only and should not retest sooner than 24 hours after the initial test session.
When a student takes the assessment test in a high school, using the MCPS Accuplacer code, only scores that permit enrollment in college-level courses have been sent by MCPS electronically to Montgomery College and entered in Banner. Paper or informal results are not accepted. When a student who has tested at MCPS has both college-level and developmental placement scores, only the college-level scores have been sent to Montgomery College and will appear on SOATEST.
Note: All Accuplacer attempts that count towards a student’s total MC attempts will be on SOATEST.
English and reading Accuplacer scores are valid for two years. Math Accuplacer scores are valid for one year. If a student’s request for a retake is approved, the student should be encouraged to review the online information about Accuplacer Test preparation with links to review problems and test-taking tips. This may be found at http://www.montgomerycollege.edu/Departments/AssessCtr/accuplacer.htm .
Students who take the ESL Accuplacer, plus writing sample, may not retake the test during the current semester. However, during the first week that they are enrolled in an AELP course, students are given a diagnostic test. In some instances, based on their diagnostic test score, they may be permitted to enroll in a higher-level course.
Student who are dissatisfied with their course placements after two Accuplacer attempts may consider an appeal, but the Accuplacer will not be given a third time.

Students who wish to appeal their placement in English should go to the English Department on their campus and ask to see the department chair or designee. These individuals are:

• Germantown English:  Dr. Christina Devlin – Office: Paul Peck Academic and Innovation Building (PK) 139
• Rockville English:  Professor Elizabeth Benton – Office: Macklin Tower (MT) 526
• Takoma Park/Silver Spring English: Professor Angela Nissing – Office: Pavilion Three (P3) 215

Students who wish to appeal their placement in reading should go to the Reading Department on their campus to see the department chair, coordinator, or designee.

• Germantown Reading Dr. Mary Robinson – Office: Humanities and Social Sciences Building (HS) 130
• Rockville Reading Professor Susan Simpson – Office: Science West (SW) 108-2/Professor Teri Hurst – Office: MT 503/Dr. Mary Owens – Office: MT 512
• Takoma Park/Silver Spring Reading Professor Windy Jefferson-Jackson – Office: P3 218

Students who wish to appeal their placement in math should go to the Mathematics Department on their campus to see the department chair or designee.

• Germantown Math Professor John Hamman – Office: High Technology and Science Center (HT) 133/ Professor Kathryn Linehan – Office: HT 221
• Rockville Math  Professor Stephanie Pepin – Office: SW 033/ Dr. Ben Nicholson – Office: SW 025 /Professor Susan King – Office: SW 031
• Takoma Park/Silver Spring Math - Dr. Sharon Hauge – Office: Mathematics Pavilion (MP) 247

Students who wish to appeal their placement in chemistry should go to the Chemistry Department on their campus to see the department chair or designee.

• Germantown Chemistry Dr. Don Newlin – Office: Sciences and Applied Studies Building (SA) 265
• Rockville Chemistry Professor Abner Mintz – Office: Science Center (SC) 331D
• Takoma Park/Silver Spring Math Dr. Adel Halli – Office: Science North (SN) 316

Students who wish to appeal their placement in AELP should go to the Department where AELP is located on their campus to see the department chair, coordinator, or designee.

• Germantown AELP Professor Page Whittenburg – Office: HS 106
• Rockville AELP Professor Ray Gonzales – Office: MT 512A
• Takoma Park/Silver Spring AELP Professor Angela Nissing – Office: P3 12

If the department designee determines, by using relevant information, that the student should be placed in a course other than one based on the Accuplacer score, this action must be entered in Banner as an override in the SFASRPO screen with a brief comment on the rationale for the override in the comment screen, SPACMNT.

Early Placement Procedure (Counseling Faculty)

Early Placement students are strongly encouraged to do the eMAP or in-person MAP but they are not required to do so after placement testing. Please see Tim with questions.