Placement Exams
Placement Exams are an essential part of the orientation process and ensure proper placements into academic classes. There are two placement exams that students may take as part of the orientation process: Math Placement Exam and Foreign Language Assessment.
Math Placement Exam
UM-Dearborn requires an ALEKS Placement, Preparation and Learning (ALEKS PPL) Assessment to determine readiness for mathematics courses. ALEKS PPL is a web-based program that uses artificial intelligence to map a student’s strengths and weaknesses. The Placement Assessment is up to 30 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.
ALEKS consists of three parts:
- An Initial Placement Assessment
- The Prep and Learning Module, an individualized, self-paced online review
- Access to 1 additional Placement Assessments
We encourage each student to spend time in the Prep and Learning Module, even if the desired score is achieved, because time spent in ALEKS will ultimately lead to better preparation and improved grades.
What is the purpose of placement testing? The Placement Assessment results will be used to determine the most appropriate courses for each student as they move forward with college coursework.
This is a “Placement Assessment,” not a test. The difference is that a Placement Assessment is designed to determine what a student knows and what a student needs to work on. At the end of the ALEKS PPL Assessment, a student will have a much better sense of his/her strengths and weaknesses in math. Students then have a chance to brush on topics that may have been forgotten or haven’t been practiced for some time.
Be honest. It is important that the Placement Assessment is taken seriously and each student gives it an honest effort so that the Placement Assessment truly reflects their current level of knowledge and math preparedness. There is no benefit to cheating on the Placement Assessment – the only result will be that a student enrolls in a class that is too difficult, or not challenging enough, potentially costing time and money. Therefore, while taking the Placement Assessment, students should not consult any outside sources for help (friends/family, internet searches, textbooks, notes etc...). The purpose of the Placement Assessment is to give an accurate measure of a student’s current mathematical knowledge state so that he/she will be successful in mathematics courses. Please view Student Rights and Code of Conduct.
Using the math placement exam to skip a course, without the necessary prior knowledge or preparation, undermines the integrity of our academic system and constitutes academic dishonesty.
This includes:
- Using the math placement exam AFTER completing a course for which the grade earned does not allow matriculation to the next course. Subsequently, using the new placement score to move on to the next course without passing the mandatory prerequisite course.
- Using the math placement exam to SKIP a mandatory prerequisite course in the sequence of courses AFTER starting the course sequence.
- Using the math placement exam for any reason other than determining the most appropriate math course for a student to START with.
Such actions jeopardize the foundational understanding necessary for success in subsequent courses. We urge all students to adhere to ethical academic standards and ensure they enroll in courses that accurately reflect their proficiency. Students found using the math placement exam for unethical reasons will be administratively removed from the course. Please refer to the university’s academic dishonesty policy for more information.
FAQs
Is there a fee for using ALEKS PPL? Use of ALEKS is included in your student fees.
Do I need to install any software or plug-ins prior to taking the ALEKS Placement Assessment? No. There are no required plug-ins or applets required with your use of ALEKS PPL. As long as you have access to the internet and are using an updated browser, you should not experience difficulties in taking your Placement Assessment. For a list of preferred browsers, please review the ALEKS system requirements on their support site.
What topics are covered during the ALEKS PPL Assessment? ALEKS PPL is an online, adaptive system that covers a broad spectrum of mathematics topics. The length of the Placement Assessment will vary, but can be up to 30 questions. You will see some, but not all, of the math you have learned in high school. It is a Placement Assessment, not a preview of math courses at UM-Dearborn. It is designed to identify if you are prepared for a particular course. After you take your first Placement Assessment, you will have the opportunity to review and master additional topics to reassess and improve your placement.
Topics covered:
- Real numbers (including fractions, integers, and percentages)
- Equations and inequalities (including linear equations, linear inequalities, systems of linear equations, and quadratic equations),
- Linear and quadratic functions (including graphs and functions, linear functions, and parabolas), exponents and polynomials (including integer exponents, polynomial arithmetic, factoring, and polynomial equations), rational expressions (including rational equations and rational functions
- Radical expressions (including higher roots and rational exponents)
- Exponentials and logarithms (including function compositions and inverse functions, properties of logarithms, and logarithmic equations)
- Geometry and trigonometry (including perimeter, area, and volume, coordinate geometry, trigonometric functions, and identities and equations).
Can I practice using the ALEKS input tools before I begin the Placement Assessment? ALEKS will begin with a brief tutorial to make sure you are comfortable with the math palette tools before your Placement Assessment begins. The tutorial shows you how to enter different types of answers, how to use the ALEKS calculator, and how to graph. If you aren’t sure how to input an answer, or need help while you are taking the ALEKS Placement Assessment, select the Help button below the answer pallet tools. Going to the tutorial during your Placement Assessment will NOT impact your Placement Assessment results.
What is the format of the questions on ALEKS? ALEKS is not a multiple-choice Placement Assessment. It is open-response and requires you to work out solutions with a paper and pencil, then enter them into ALEKS. Be sure to have scratch paper with you.
May I use a calculator while using ALEKS? ALEKS will provide an on-screen calculator if you need one to complete a particular problem. Otherwise, you may not use a calculator.
May I use any other resources during a Placement Assessment? You may only use a pen or pencil, paper, and the resources provided within ALEKS. You should not receive assistance from friends, family, other websites, textbooks, or any other resource not provided by ALEKS. Using outside resources will lead to improper placement and potentially course failure. Please view Student Rights and Code of Conduct.
Can I review a question after I've answered it? Because ALEKS is adaptive, once you submit an answer, you cannot change it. Be sure to carefully check your answer before submitting your response.
What if I see questions I don’t know? 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 how to solve the topic, and this will be reflected in the Placement Assessment results. There is no penalty for incorrectly answering a question on the Placement Assessment, it only helps ALEKS understand what you know and don’t know.
Are Placement Assessments timed? No, you are free to complete the Placement Assessment at your own pace. If you need to exit the Placement Assessment for any reason, you will be able to log back in and pick up where you left off.
I am ready to start my ALEKS PPL Assessment. How do I begin? To get started with your ALEKS PPL Assessment, incoming students (who are required to take the exam) should check their UMICH email for instructions that will be sent automatically after submitting their enrollment deposit. If you're a currently enrolled undergraduate student or recently admitted graduate or non-degree student needing to take the exam, please email umd-orientation@umich.edu for guidance on how to proceed.
What if I do not place into the course I wanted? This is a perfect opportunity to take advantage of the Prep and Learning Modules offered within ALEKS PPL. An individualized study plan will be created based on your performance on the Initial Placement Assessment. ALEKS will identify what you know and what you are ready to learn next so you can brush up on lost knowledge.
What is my placement result? Your placement result (overall score) is a number between 0 and 100. It represents the percentage of topics ALEKS has identified you have mastered.
Where can I see my score?
- You will receive your raw score immediately upon completion of your Placement Assessment.
- Your ALEKS score can be viewed by re-entering ALEKS using the same access link for which you took the Placement Assessment.
- After completing the assessment, you will receive an email at your UMICH account with your course placement result.
How long is my placement result valid? Your placement result is valid indefinitely.
Can I retake the ALEKS PPL Assessment? Yes, you may take up to two Placement Assessments. However, to make each attempt worthwhile, it is important that you spend time working in your ALEKS Prep and Learning Module between Placement Assessments so that you can improve your skills.
You must wait 72 hours between Placement Assessments. There is generally no benefit to re-taking the Placement Assessment immediately after completing a prior attempt. You cannot improve your results by simply re-taking the Placement Assessment without spending time in the Prep and Learning Module to refresh material that you may have forgotten.
How long do I have access to my Prep and Learning Module? You will have six months of access to your Prep and Learning module. Access to the prep course will not begin until you select start on the top of your screen. DO NOT select into the Prep and Learning Module until you are ready to start working.
Is there an additional fee for my Prep and Learning Module? Access to a Prep and Learning Module is included along with the additional Placement Assessments.
Must I work in my ALEKS Prep and Learning Module between Placement Assessments?
You can retake the Placement assessment once to improve your score. (The highest score will be used for math placement). Students are required to work in the Prep and Learning Modules for a specific amount of time prior to each Placement Assessment to increase success.
- 2nd attempt—required to complete 5 hours of work in the Prep and Learning Modules before attempting assessment.
What are ALEKS Knowledge Checks? While working in a Prep and Learning Module, you will periodically complete a Knowledge Check to make sure you have mastered the topics you gained in Learning Mode. If you do not show mastery during the Knowledge Check, the topics will be added back into your Learning Pie so you can review them again.
Does progress in an ALEKS Prep and Learning Module count toward placement? No. You must complete a new Placement Assessment to change your placement result. Select the placement tab in the upper right corner of the ALEKS page to start a new Placement Assessment.
Can I change to a different Prep and Learning Module later? No. You may only use one Prep and Learning Module. If you are unsure which module to select, use the module recommended by ALEKS or consult with your advisor.
What do I do if my web browser gets stuck or my computer crashes while I'm taking the Placement Assessment? Simply close the browser, or log out and log back in. ALEKS will resume the Placement Assessment exactly where you left off, with no loss of your previous answers.
Where can I get help with ALEKS?
Exemption Criteria
Students may waive the math placement exam requirement for any program if they meet any of the following criteria*:
- Transferable credit equivalent to Math 105 or above
- Placement will be into the next course in the sequence
- A 3, 4, or 5 on an AP Calculus exam
- See equivalency chart on the AP webpage
- SAT math section score of 620 or higher
- Placement into Math 115 (Calc I)
- ACT math score of 26 or higher
- Placement into Math 115 (Calc I)
*These results must be on record at UM-Dearborn for this placement exam waiver to apply.
Requirements by Academic College
The following majors are required to take the mathematics placement exam if they do not meet the exemption criteria.
- Business Studies as a Second Major, Economics, Environmental Studies, International Studies - exempt with credit for MATH 104 (College Algebra) or higher.
- Actuarial Mathematics, Applied Statistics, Behavioral and Biological Sciences, Biochemistry, Biological Sciences, Chemistry (ACS certified), Chemistry (Instructional), Environmental Science, Geological Sciences, Integrated Science, Mathematics, Microbiology, Physics.
- All other CASL majors are exempt from taking the mathematics placement exam.
- All majors are required to take the mathematics placement exam if they do not meet the exemption criteria.
- Mathematics Studies majors are required to take the mathematics placement exam if they do not meet the exemption criteria.
- All other CEHHS majors are exempt from taking the mathematics placement exam.
- Mathematics Studies majors and students in HHS with Pre-Health Professions concentrations are required to take the mathematics placement exam if they do not meet the exemption criteria.
- All majors are required to take the mathematics placement exam if they do not meet the exemption criteria - exempt with credit for MATH 104 (College Algebra) or higher.
- Students unsure if they should take the math placement test are always welcome to take the test, especially if they may need to take a course that requires it. Undecided students or students who believe they may change majors should take the math placement test to avoid potential scheduling delays if they do not have an exemption.
If you are intending on completing a Health Professions Advising (HPA) curriculum track designed for those interested in pursuing further education to be a healthcare professional, you must complete the math placement test regardless of what major you declare if you do not qualify for an exemption.
Current and Non-Degree Seeking Students (including Dual Enrollment and Prospective Degree-Seeking Students)
For current students and non-degree students that need to take the Mathematics placement exam because of their curricular choices, please email umd-admissions@umich.edu.
Foreign Language Assessment
The Foreign Language Assessment is strongly recommended for students with less than three years prior experience in a language who plan to continue in that language at UM-Dearborn (whether required for graduation or not). This assessment should be taken prior to attending your Orientation Session.
Assessments are proctored on campus in the Foreign Language Lab, Room 3065 CASL Building (CB). You must register for the assessment in advance as space is limited. If you are able, please bring your personal laptop to complete the assessment.
The results will be communicated by email. It may take up to two weeks for results to be available.
The assessments for French, German, and Spanish are in computer-based format, while the Arabic assessment is paper-based.
If you take a Foreign Language Advanced Placement (AP) Exam, the AP score will override the assessment score if it is higher. Foreign Language course credit is not awarded by assessment.
The College of Arts, Sciences, and Letters (CASL) Foreign Language distribution requirement can be fulfilled by:
- Successfully completing a two-semester language sequence at UM-Dearborn, or
- Successfully completing a 3 or 4 credit hour Foreign Language course (this course cannot be taught in English) at the 102 level or higher, or
- Having completed at least 3 years of Foreign Language (in the same language) in high school with a grade of "C" or better in the final course. Students wishing to request that the requirement be waived on this basis must submit a petition using this form, or
- Transferring the equivalent of 8 credit hours of a language sequence from another institution.
Students who wish to fulfill the CASL Foreign Language requirement based on study or experience other than that outlined above may do so by:
- Completing the equivalent of a high school degree from a school that used a language other than English for instruction. A diploma attesting to the language of instruction and graduation from the high school program is necessary and official English translations of foreign transcripts are required. Students wishing to request that the requirement be waived on this basis must submit a petition using this form, or
- Passing an oral and written proficiency exam.
There is no foreign language requirement for:
- College of Business
- College of Education, Health, and Human Services
- College of Engineering and Computer Science
Placement into Composition
All students are required to take six credit hours of Written and Oral Communication courses within the Dearborn Discovery Core. Incoming students will have an initial placement into COMP 105.
Students may choose to appeal their placement by submitting a portfolio for faculty review. If the appeal is successful, students will be placed in COMP 106.
If applicable, a student's placement may be based on an Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) exam result, or previous dual enrollment or college credit.