Math

What topics are covered during the ALEKS PPL Assessment? 

• 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) 

The ALEKS PPL has built-in study materials. 

• Your first assessment is an official attempt and the score will be entered in your record. You can register for classes based on that result (refer to the “Understanding Your Score” section for the full list of possible placements).
• If you have not achieved your desired placement, you are encouraged to spend time in the Prep and Learning modules. These modules are generated automatically upon completion of the first assessment, and are customized based on your individual results and recommended areas of improvement.
• The second and third assessments on your ALEKS PPL account are considered practice attempts so you can see how far you’ve progressed. The fourth and final assessment will be the second official attempt.
• If you choose to skip the practice assessments, you can visit the Test Center in-person to immediately complete your second official attempt.

You must wait 24 hours between attempts.  

Additional preparation materials are available at Khan Academy and MATHhelp. 

The ALEKS PPL math placement test can be completed remotely without an appointment and will require a webcam, microphone, and additional software on your computer. Before testing, you will be required to present a valid photo ID to the camera, complete an environmental scan, and remove all unauthorized materials from your workspace. Your test session will be recorded and reviewed upon completion. Any access to unauthorized materials may result in an invalidation of your results per college policy. Please review the full list of remote testing policies and procedures here.

If you do not present a valid photo ID at the beginning of your session, your scores will not be entered and you will need to contact the Test Center to verify your identity. 

To test at anytime, click the "Log in here" button and follow the steps below
Log in here

1. Login using your HCC email address and password. If you are not sure of your password, you can reset it here.
2. Select the Incoming Student cohort on your ALEKS dashboard. If you do not see any cohorts listed, please contact us via email (testcenter@howardcc.edu).
3. Follow the prompts to show a valid government issued or school ID with your photo and full name and scan your work space. A four-function calculator is permitted and you MUST show it during your room scan. 
4. Complete the survey questions about your prior math experience.
5. Review and complete the Tools Tutorial. This resource will familiarize you with the ALEKS PPL interface.
6. Agree to Howard Community College’s academic honor policy.
7. Click “Get Started” to begin your first placement assessment. You will be required to download and install Respondus LockDown Browser to continue.
   Note: if you have LockDown Browser installed from another institution or from the English GSP assessment, you will still need to download and install the ALEKS-specific version.
8. Once installed, you will be prompted to launch LockDown Browser and begin your assessment.
9. After completing the assessment, you will receive a score report. Review the section below (Understanding Your Score) to determine your course placement.

You will receive your score immediately upon completion of the placement assessment. These scores can also be viewed by logging into your ALEKS PPL account. 

To register for a math class, a student must achieve the minimum placement result for the corresponding class. The table below explains how to understand your ALEKS PPL score. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact an advisor for clarification. 

ALEKS PPL Placement Scores– AY 2025-2026

HCC always awards students the highest placement they are entitled to, however, students are always permitted to take a lower math course than their placement. Students can also take ALEKS PPL to attempt to achieve a higher math placement than that given by External Examination, Previous College (non-HCC) Math coursework, or HS course-based Multiple Measures.