What is the ALEKS PPL Assessment?

ALEKS PPL is the mathematics placement program that Cal Poly Pomona uses. It allows you to review, take practice tests, do guided study, and then come to campus for a proctored official placement test.

Who needs to take the ALEKS PPL Assessment?

In general, the following majors need to take the ALEKS PPL Assessment unless exempt from it:

• College of Science: All majors except Kinesiology.
• College of Engineering: All majors.
• College of Agriculture: Food Science and Technology major.

More specifically, if your major requires you to take MAT 1140, MAT 1200, or MAT 1300, then you are required to take the ALEKS PPL assessment unless you have achieved one of the following:

• You earned a 3 or higher on the AP AB and/or BC Calculus exam.
• You took College Algebra (as the prerequisite for MAT 1200) or College Algebra and Trigonometry (as the prerequisites for MAT 1140 and MAT 1300) at an accredited college and earned a C or higher.
• You earned a 4 or higher on IB Mathematics HL.

NOTE: Your SAT math score and/or your ACT math score do not make you eligible to take MAT 1140, MAT 1200, or MAT 1300, regardless of your scores. You are only exempt from taking the ALEKS PPL assessment if you meet the conditions stated above.

How do I sign up for the ALEKS PPL Assessment?

You may register on the Testing Services website for one of our scheduled official test days here at Cal Poly Pomona.

As soon as possible, you ahould take the initial practice test. You should then continue to use the software from home to review and prepare for the official proctored test. ALEKS PPL will provide you with guided study personalized to your practice test results. You can take a second practice test at home before you come to campus for your official proctored plaement test.

What do the scores mean on the official proctored test? 

Math Placement Chart (PDF)
ALEKS Composite Score	Trig Subscore	Initial Placement	Comments
78-100		MAT 1140 Calculus I MAT 1200 Calculus for Life Sciences MAT 1250 Business Calculus MAT 1300 Technical Calculus I	Also eligible to take PHY 1210/1210L.
61-77	0-22	MAT 1060 Trigonometry	Only MAT 1060 is required for continuing into MAT 1140 or MAT 1300. MAT 1050 may be skipped unless required by major.
	23-29	MAT 1050 College Algebra	Only MAT 1050 is required for continuing into MAT 1140 or MAT 1300. MAT 1060 may be skipped unless required by major.  Also eligible to take PHY 1210/1210L.
	Any trig subscore	MAT 1200 Calculus for Life Science MAT 1250 Business Calculus
53-60		MAT 1050 College Algebra MAT 1060 Trigonometry MAT 1070 Pre-calculus MAT 1250 Business Calculus	Must take MAT 1070 OR take both MAT 1050* and 1060* before taking calculus (1140 or 1300). *May be taken in either order or at the same time.
46-52		MAT 1050 College Algebra MAT 1060 Trigonometry	Must take both MAT 1050 and 1060 before taking calculus (1140 or 1300). MAT 1050 and 1060 may be taken in either order or at the same time.
0-45		Category IV students required to take MAT 1051/A or STA 1201/A. Category III students take either MAT 1051/A or STA 1201/A or designated sections of MAT 1050 or STA 1200 with corequisite activity unit.	MAT 1051+1052 is a twocourse sequence equivalent to MAT 1050. STA 1201+1202 is a two‐course sequence equivalent to STA 1200.

Whom can I contact for further information?

For questions about how to register for the on-campus proctored test or information about days and times of the on-campus proctored test, please contact Testing Services at 909-869-5299.

For questions or concerns about whether you are required to take the ALEKS PPL placement, please contact Ian Carlson in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics at iccarlson@cpp.edu. 

For questions about using the ALEKS PPL website to practice before your on-campus proctored test, please contact the office of Mathematics and Statistics at 909-869-3142 or MathStat@cpp.edu.