Math Placement Assessment Information

Review your acceptance letter to determine if you are required to take a math placement assessment. Students who are required to complete a math placement assessment will be notified in their acceptance letter.

Students who have not taken an Algebra course within the last 7 years and have not earned a minimum of 12 credit hours from a regionally accredited institution of higher education may be required to complete the math placement test before enrolling in a math course required for their major.

If a student has been admitted to either the Nursing or Radiologic Technology program and shows a need for additional coursework in mathematics as identified by the math placement assessment, the student will not be able to start the clinical portion of the program until the math requirement courses are successfully completed. All other students must complete additional coursework within the first two semesters at Mercy College or risk dismissal. Students should discuss their program requirements with their Academic Advisors to determine the best course of action for completion of the math assessment program.

ALEKS PPL Math Assessment Information

ALEKS (Assessment and Learning in Knowledge Spaces) is an online assessment and learning tool designed to gauge students' current math skills, determine where students would initially place in their math courses, and then provide individualized learning modules that include explanations and practice problems for increasing math concepts/skills needed for required courses. Students use the ALEKS PPL (short for "Placement, Preparation and Learning") to assist them in placing into the math courses required for their major.

The math placement assessment program measures knowledge in Algebra Problems, Numerical Skills, Trigonometry, Geometry, Integers, Fractions, Decimals, Exponents, Rations and Proportions, Percentages, Averages, Substitution, Setting-up Equations, Basic Operation/Polynomials, Linear Equations, Exponents, and Rational Numbers.

The ALEKS PPL provides students with an initial assessment to determine their skill level in many areas. Based on the score results of the assessment, ALEKS PPL provides individually designed learning modules to assist students in building their math skills and prepare them for college-level math courses. It is important to be honest when taking the initial assessment, or the modules will not provide the correct module design that you need to navigate college math. More information regarding how the program works can be found at: www.aleks.com.

How do I receive information to begin using the ALEKS program?

Students receive information for using and logging on to the ALEKS PPL program with their acceptance letter. A code in the instructions is required to access the program. Students who require disability-related accommodations to use the program should contact Accessibility Services at (419) 251-1784 or ADA504@mercycollege.edu PRIOR to logging into the program. Students who are in the process of transferring math credit to Mercy College of Ohio should contact their Academic Advisor PRIOR to logging in and using the program.

How much time is required to use the program?

Students will login to the ALEKS program, learn how to navigate the program via a short tutorial, then take an initial assessment. Students should expect to spend around two hours at a time working through the modules and practice assessments, at least once or twice per week to keep up with previously learned math concepts. A minimum of five hours of practice in the modules must be completed in between practice assessments. However, the more time spent in the learning modules increases mastery of math skills and practice assessment scores.

The ALEKS program is available to use 24/7 so students can work through the modules and assessments at their convenience. Students can move around in different modules as they choose, and also have access to (free) assistance from a Mercy College math tutor while using the program. Access to the ALEKS program is available for one year from the date of the initial assessment. Students should begin using the program at least 6-8 weeks prior to registering for a math course to allow time to work through the program modules and practice assessments, and take the final proctored assessment with the Testing Center.

PLEASE NOTE: It is important to be honest when taking the initial and practice assessments, as well as when working through the practice modules, and not use any outside resources for assistance (including a personal calculator). Otherwise, the modules provided will not reflect the math skills practice for students' individual needs. This act may result in achieving higher scores, however, will result in a much lower score for the final proctored assessment, not benefitting from having access to the program to increase one's math skills.

Students should begin using the program as soon as possible, to allow time to work through the modules and practice assessments. Information regarding how the program works is included in students' acceptance letter. Additional information regarding ALEKS can be found at: www.aleks.com.

Student accounts for Mercy College of Ohio in ALEKS expire after 12 months once the initial assessment is taken.

What do the scores mean?

The scores of the assessments are determined by the Math and Sciences department, based on the course content. The following scores determine what level of math you are prepared to take:

(0 – 29) = Remedial Math (not offered, no credit)
(30-45) = Math 100
(46-60) = Math 104 - Math 145
(61 – 100) = Math 150

What if I score above what I need for the math course required for my major on my practice assessments?

Students are encouraged to continue practicing math using the ALEKS program for course placement. Students who continually score above the required math course for their major in their practice assessments (without utilizing any outside resources) should contact their Academic Advisor to review their ALEKS account.

How do I complete the final math placement assessment?

After completing the fourth practice assessment, they should contact the Testing Center to schedule an appointment for their final math assessment (proctored). The final proctored assessment score will determine the math course placement.

Students should communicate with their advisor on when the final proctored assessment should be completed in order to register for math courses for their major. Taking the final proctored assessment (ALEKS PPL) may take anywhere from 30 minutes to 3 hours. To schedule the final proctored assessment, simply call or email the Testing Center at least 2 business days in advance of the appointment date. The Testing Center does not take walk-in appointments: