Calculus Placement Assessment: ALEKS PPL

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, and do guided study before taking the test a final time to place into a mathematics course.

What is the Cost?

There is no fee to take the ALEKS PPL assessment. Once you are logged in, your account will be activated for one year.

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 Agriculture: Food Science and Technology, Nutrition Science, and Nutrition and Health majors
College of Engineering: All majors
College of Letters, Arts, and Social Sciences: Economics-Quantitative option
College of Science: All majors except Kinesiology

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?

Using your Bronco email and password, sign up for the Calculus Placement, Cal Poly Pomona, AY 23-24 at the ALEKS website. This link should take you directly to the ALEKS AY 23-24 cohort. Be ready with pencil, scratch paper, and time for a 1-hour practice assessment when you first log in. The first practice assessment does not count for your placement - it is for practice only.

ALEKS is designed as a guided learning experience. After you take an ALEKS PPL Placement assessment, ALEKS provides you with practice problems specifically tailored to you. The sequence of ALEKS PPL Placement assessments and guided learning practice will allow you to place into the appropriate mathematics course and be well prepared for success.

How do I take a proctored assessment for placement?

Once you have completed the learning modules, you will feel confident to come to campus for a proctored assessment. The proctored assessments have been scheduled for the following dates:

Dates will be updated by April 2024

Please email mathstat@cpp.edu if you have not received a link to register for the above dates. Please note the above dates are for Fall 2024 incoming freshman only.

Additional drop-in ALEKS proctoring sessions are scheduled for the following dates:

Monday, October 9th, 2023 (drop-in time: 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.)
Monday, November 6th, 2023 (drop-in time: 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.)
Monday, January 29th, 2024 (drop-in time: 1:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.)

Please email mathstat@cpp.edu if distance is a concern.

Location: Building 8, Room 147

Please bring a form of identification, and know your Bronco username and password. No registration is required for drop-in proctoring sessions.

ALEKS PPL will provide you with a second (optional) unproctored practice assessment. You do not have to take this practice assessment. If you take a proctored assessment and are not happy with your score, you may take two additional proctored assessments.

How soon should I start the ALEKS PPL Assessment?

We recommend beginning your practice assessment by May 15, 2023. This will give you time to review topics prior to the proctored assessment.

After taking the practice assessment, expect the following:

Practice and review topics in the Learning and Prep Modules.
Sign up for an on-campus proctored assessment.
If you are not satisfied with your placement, use the Learning and Prep Modules to study, then register for another on-campus proctored assessment.

What do the scores mean on the official proctored test?

Math Placement Chart (PDF)
ALEKS Composite Score	Trig Subscore	Initial Placement	Comments
76-100		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.
61-75	0-22	MAT 1060 Trigonometry	Only MAT 1060 is required for continuing into MAT 1140 or MAT 1300. MAT1050 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 MAT 1070 Pre-Calculus	Must take MAT 1070 OR both MAT 1050 and 1060 before taking calculus (MAT 1140 or MAT 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 1055 with MAT 1055 Activity or STA 1205 with STA 1205 Activity; or, take either MAT 1051 with MAT 1051 Activity or STA 1201 with STA 1201 Activity.	MAT 1051+1052 is a two course sequence equivalent to MAT 1050. STA 1201+1202 is a two‐course sequence equivalent to STA 1200. MAT 1055/A is equivalent to MAT 1050 but with more practice and support. STA 1205/A is equivalent to STA 1200 but with more practice and support.

Whom can I contact for further information?

For questions or concerns about whether you are required to take the ALEKS PPL placement, please contact the Bronco Advising Center at (909) 869-4600 or bac@cpp.edu.

If you need to take ALEKS and require a version for those with visual disabilities, please contact mathstat@cpp.edu.

For questions about using the ALEKS PPL website, please contact the office of Mathematics and Statistics at 909-869-3142 or mathstat@cpp.edu.