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Math Placement Assessment Information

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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.

This assessment is administered at a Mercy College campus to students before meeting with your academic advisor and attending Mercy College orientation. The math placement assessment 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.

Students who have not taken an Algebra course within the last 7 years and have not earned a minimum of 15 credit hours from a regionally accredited institution of higher education may be required to complete the math placement test before starting classes at Mercy College of Ohio.

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 placement testing, the student will not be able to start the clinical portion of the program until the courses are successfully completed. All other students must complete additional coursework within the first two semesters at Mercy College or risk dismissal.

Taking the final proctored assessment (ALEKS PPL) may take anywhere from 30 minutes to 3 hours. All assessment proctoring arrangements must be made at least 48 business hours before your academic advising appointment. To schedule the final proctored assessment, simply call, email, or stop by the Testing Center for an appointment:

Students should schedule to take the final math placement assessment as soon as they are ready, or as indicated as they work through the modules. Your final proctored assessment must be completed 72 hours PRIOR to meeting with your Advisor to discuss the courses and for registering at New Student Orientation. Information is posted below for your math placement assessment so that you can determine a timeline to take a proctored assessment.

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 math placement assessment, the student will not be able to start the clinical portion of the program until the courses are successfully completed. All other students must complete additional coursework within the first two semesters at Mercy College or risk dismissal.

ALEKS PPL Information

Students will use the ALEKS PPL (short for “Placement, Preparation and Learning”) program, to assist them in building math skills. ALEKS (Assessment and Learning in Knowledge Spaces) is an online assessment and learning tool designed to determine what you know and don’t know, and then provide explanations and practice problems for math concepts/skills that you need.

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.

Students should begin using the program as soon as possible, to allow time to work through the modules and practice assessments. The ALEKS program is available to use 24/7, so you can work on it at your convenience.

How long is the ALEKS Program?

Students take an initial assessment, then progress through their modules (must complete a minimum of 5 hours in each module provided) and can practice taking the assessment three more times (unproctored) before completing the program. Once the program is complete, students must contact the Testing Center to make an appointment to take the final assessment with a proctor. The time limit on assessments is three hours.

How long can I use ALEKS PPL?

Student accounts for Mercy College of Ohio in ALEKS expire after 6 months once the initial assessment is taken. When you receive your acceptance letter and are notified that you need the math placement assessment, you should contact the Testing Center as soon as possible to receive instructions and a code to access the program online.

PLEASE NOTE: Students must have the final proctored assessment completed PRIOR to their scheduled orientation date. You can sign up for orientation here or contact your academic advisor.

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 the first assessment?

If the score on the first assessment places you into the math course you need for your major, you can:

  • Contact the Testing Center to override the rest of the program and make an appointment to take the final assessment. The proctored final assessment will be your math placement score, regardless of previous scores while using the program.
  • Continue working and practicing the math skills modules provided for you as review and take the final assessment when the modules have been completed.

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

Students will receive information for logging on and using the ALEKS program with their acceptance letter. A code in the instructions will be needed to access the program. Please contact the Testing Center with any questions/concerns regarding scheduling the final (proctored) assessment prior to meeting with your Advisor and/or attending Orientation.