Planning

Get your UA ID number and password ready.

  • You must be an enrolled or admitted undergraduate student. If you are currently a high school student interested in taking classes as a non-degree seeking student, please contact the Registrar’s Office (UAA, UAF, UAS) for more information on how to access the ALEKS PPL exam and register for classes.
  • Have your student ID number and password. If you don't yet have a password, you will be prompted to create one. (This is the same password you would use to log into Blackboard, Canvas, or Webmail)

Decide if you will take the test on your own computer, or schedule at a testing center.

To take the test at home you need a computer with a webcam and internet connection. You will be required to download and use a lockdown browser along with the virtual proctor Respondus Monitor. You will be prompted to download the lockdown browser and virtual proctor when you begin the placement test.  Tablets will not work. You can test your computer here.

Note Respondus will record a video of you throughout the exam.

If you cannot take the test at home, or desire to take it elsewhere, you can schedule to take the test at a testing center. Note you will need to schedule in advance. Contact

Have an ID available

An ID will be requested when Respondus Monitor runs. You will hold it up for the camera. You may use your UA student ID or any government ID. If you do not have an ID, continue with the test. You may be contacted later for verification.

Plan a time for your test

You should plan on about 90 minutes. ALEKS PPL is a fully automated, proctored, adaptive system that covers material from Basic Math through Precalculus. You have up to 3 hours to complete the exam.

Take the test

Follow the links in Take the Test. Note the test and four retests are free to you.

Sign up for your course

Talk with your advisor as needed then sign up right away for the course in your program that the ALEKS PPL indicates you are ready to enter. Math skills deteriorate over time. Also, placement scores are valid for registration only for 12 months following the exam.