Prep for the ALEKS® Math Placement Test
Whole numbers
Integers
Fractions
Decimals
- 21 Converting Decimals to Fractions
- 22 Converting Fractions to Decimals
- 23 Comparing Decimals
- 24 Rounding Decimals
- 25 Adding and Subtracting Decimals Word Problems
- 26 Multiplying and Dividing Decimals Word Problems
- 27 Powers of 10
- 28 Converting from Scientific to Standard Notation
- 29 Converting from Standard to Scientific Notation
- 30 Terminating and Repeating Decimals
Algebraic expressions
Solving equations
- 36 One-Step Equations
- 37 Two-Step Equations
- 38 Equations with Fractions
- 39 Equations Involving Distributive
- 40 Equations with Variable on Both Sides
- 41 Equations with Variable on Both Sides and Fractions
- 42 Equations with Variable on Both Sides and Distributive
- 43 Equations with Fraction Solutions
- 44 Literal Equations
- 45 Advanced Literal Equations
Ratio, proportion, and percent
Word problems
Inequalities and absolute value
Graphing and functions
Transformations
Linear equations in two variables
- 80 Slope of a Line
- 81 Slope Formula
- 82 Slope-Intercept Form
- 83 Converting to Slope-Intercept Form and Graphing
- 84 Linear Parent Graph and Transformations
- 85 Writing Equations of Lines
- 86 Writing Equations of Lines Using Tables
- 87 Direct Variation
- 88 Writing Equations of Lines in Standard Form
- 89 Writing Equations of Lines Using the Point-Slope Formula
- 90 Writing Equations of Lines Given Two Points
- 91 Writing Equations of Parallel and Perpendicular Lines
Systems of equations and inequalities
Exponents and polynomials
- 98 The Product Rule
- 99 The Power Rule
- 100 The Quotient Rule
- 101 Numerical Bases and Exponents of Zero
- 102 Negative Exponents
- 103 Numerical Bases with Negative Exponents
- 104 Multiplying and Dividing with Negative Exponents
- 105 Multiplying Polynomials
- 106 F.O.I.L.
- 107 Advanced Multiplying Polynomials
- 108 Adding and Subtracting Polynomials
- 109 Polynomial Long Division
Factoring
- 110 Greatest Common Factor
- 111 Factoring out the Greatest Common Factor
- 112 Factoring Trinomials with Positive Constants
- 113 Factoring Trinomials with Negative Constants
- 114 Difference of Two Squares
- 115 Factoring Trinomials with Lead Coefficients and Positive Constants
- 116 Factoring Trinomials with Lead Coefficients and Negative Constants
- 117 Factoring by Grouping
- 118 Factoring Completely
Polynomial equations and inequalities
Rational expressions and equations
Radical expressions and equations
- 131 Simplifying Radicals
- 132 Multiplying Radicals
- 133 Dividing Radicals
- 134 Adding Radicals and FOILing with Radicals
- 135 Dividing Radicals Using Conjugates
- 136 Radical Equations
- 137 Rational Exponents
- 138 Numerical Bases with Rational Exponents
- 139 Writing Radicals in Exponential Form
- 140 Solving Equations with Rational Exponents
Quadratic equations and functions
- 141 Graphs of Quadratic Functions and Beginning Transformations
- 142 Graphs of Quadratic Functions and Advanced Transformations
- 143 Solving Quadratic Equations by Graphing
- 144 Taking the Square Root of Both Sides
- 145 Completing The Square
- 146 Quadratic Formula
- 147 Imaginary Numbers
- 148 Advanced Imaginary Numbers
- 149 Complex Numbers
- 150 Understanding y - k = a(x - h)2 Form
- 151 Graphing Quadratic Equations in y - k = a(x - h)2 Form
- 152 Writing Quadratic Equations in y - k = a(x - h)2 Form
- 153 Graphing Quadratic Functions
- 154 Sum and Product of Roots Formula
Composite and inverse functions
Exponential and logarithmic equations
- 158 Evaluating Logarithms and Logarithmic vs. Exponential Form
- 159 Solving Logarithmic Equations
- 160 Logarithm Rules and Properties
- 161 Evaluating Logarithms by Condensing or Expanding
- 162 Solving Advanced Logarithmic Equations
- 163 Logarithm Calculator Problems
- 164 Exponential Equations and Change of Base Formula
- 165 Exponential Growth and Decay
- 166 Natural Logarithms
- 167 Solving Natural Logarithm Equations with ln and e
Geometric figures
- 168 Points, Lines, Planes, and Space
- 169 Segments, Rays, and Length
- 170 Segment Addition Postulate and Midpoint
- 171 Angles and Measure
- 172 Angle Addition Postulate and Angle Bisector
- 173 Complementary and Supplementary Angles
- 174 Vertical Angles
- 175 Problems Involving Perpendicular Lines
- 176 Parallel Lines Vocabulary
- 177 Given Lines are Parallel
- 178 Triangle Vocabulary and Triangle Sum Theorem
- 179 Triangle Word Problems and Exterior Angle Theorem
Congruence and similarity
Right triangles
Measurement
- 196 Perimeter
- 197 Circumference
- 198 Perimeter and Circumference Word Problems
- 199 Area of Squares and Rectangles
- 200 Area of Triangles
- 201 Area of Parallelograms and Trapezoids
- 202 Area of a Circle
- 203 Area Word Problems
- 204 Surface Area
- 205 Volume of Prisms and Pyramids
- 206 Volume of Cylinders, Spheres, and Cones
- 207 Surface Area and Volume Word Problems
Data and statistics
- 208 Bar Graphs
- 209 Line Graphs
- 210 Circle Graphs
- 211 Stem-and-Leaf Plots and Frequency Charts
- 212 Histograms
- 213 Scatterplots and Trends
- 214 Range, Median, and Mode
- 215 Box-and-Whisker Plots
- 216 Mean
- 217 Simple Probability
- 218 Probability of Independent Events
- 219 Probability of Dependent Events
- 220 Tree Diagrams and the Counting Principle
What is on the ALEKS math placement test?
The math on the ALEKS placement test covers Pre-Algebra, Algebra 1, Geometry, and Algebra 2. However, since the level of difficulty of each question is determined based on the student’s answers to previous questions, some students never advance to the Algebra 2 test questions.
How to study for the ALEKS Math Test
1. Select an ALEKS study guide.
Make sure your review includes comprehensive instruction, guided practice, and interactive tests.
2. Learn the content.
Don’t settle for quick help that won’t move the needle. Use ALEKS Math diagnostic tests to determine where you should focus your energies, and don’t be afraid to go back to more basic lessons to build your foundation. You’ll also benefit greatly from grade reports to monitor your progress and keep you on task.
3. Practice efficiently.
Target the topics that are covered on the test - nothing more and nothing less. The best ALEKS Math test prep programs allow you to make the most of your time.
4. Take an ALEKS practice test.
Test prep books and practice questions are great, and classes and tutors are helpful, but there’s no substitute for seeing what you’ll actually face on test day and doing a trial run. Any ALEKS Math test prep course worth its salt will include practice tests as a core component of your preparation for the test.
5. Sign up for the test.
If you follow the steps above, there’s no reason to be nervous. You’ll be ready!
What is ALEKS?
ALEKS stands for Assessment and LEarning in Knowledge Spaces, which is an online program for math, business, science, and behavioral science. The learning is personalized and the assessments are adaptive, allowing the ALEKS to deliver the exact content that the student needs.
What is ALEKS math?
The ALEKS math assessment is an adaptive program that is delivered online and uses artificial intelligence to identify the exact areas where students need help based on their answers to open-response questions.
How does the ALEKS program work?
The ALEKS quickly assesses the student’s knowledge of a course by using just 20 to 30 questions in most cases. The reason the ALEKS works so well in such a short period of time (45 minutes or so) is that it adapts to the student’s responses. In other words, each question is based on the student’s answers to all of the previous questions.
How do I pass the ALEKS placement test?
Here are five tips you can use to do well enough to pass the ALEKS math test:
- Don’t do the problems in your head – use pencil and paper.
- Do use a calculator when available – some questions allow it.
- Don’t go into the test cold – refresh your skills beforehand.
- Don’t rush – you have a full 24 hours to complete the ALEKS test.
- Do answer every question – there is no penalty for a wrong answer.
How many questions are on the ALEKS test?
The ALEKS test is composed of 20 to 35 questions. The questions are open-response and the test is adaptive, meaning that each question is based on the student’s answer to the previous question. It usually takes about 45 minutes to complete the test.
Is the ALEKS placement test hard?
The ALEKS placement test is hard because it’s adaptive. In other words, the more questions you answer correctly, the harder the questions become. Therefore, you’ll always be pushed to the limits of your knowledge. Another reason the ALEKS test is hard is that it’s designed to place you into any math course all the way up to Calculus, so the questions can become quite difficult if you continue to get the answers right. Using Online Tutoring will help ensure you can easily pass ALEKS math.
What is a good ALEKS test score?
An ALEKS test score of 30 or more is considered good because it means you’re ready for college math. If you want to place into Calculus, however, you’ll need an ALEKS math score of at least 75.
Can I take the ALEKS test at home?
Yes, you can take the ALEKS test at home, and most students prefer to do so. The convenience of taking the test at home is one of the great advantages of the ALEKS compared to other placement tests that require you to take the test in person at a testing center.
I had a great experience with the MathHelp.com lessons. It helped me learn a lot of new things and recall some concepts I had forgotten. What I can say is, I pity those who would go for the ALEKS test without going through these lessons first. I scored 76% in the ALEKS Math Placement test, thanks to the lessons. It qualified me for the course I wanted. The lessons were well thought of, the contents were precise and beautifully delivered. Well done and keep up the good work!Odong Joel - April 2025
Great ALEKS course! I enjoyed the bite-sized approach.Troy Kaser - April 2025
The best course I had. I scored 86 on the ALEKS test thanks to this class. The most helpful content for me was the simplified videos and the quizzes.Mohamed Abdalla - March 2025
What makes MathHelp.com different?
What is the ALEKS Test?
ALEKS (Assessment and Learning in Knowledge Spaces) is an online tutoring and assessment program that includes course material in mathematics, chemistry, introductory statistics, and business.
Rather than being based on numerical test scores, ALEKS uses the theory of knowledge spaces to develop a combinatorial understanding of the set of topics a student does or doesn't understand from the answers to its test questions. Based on this assessment, it determines the topics that the student is ready to learn and allows the student to choose from interactive learning modules for these topics.
ALEKS was initially developed at UC Irvine starting in 1994 with support from a large National Science Foundation grant. The software was granted by UC Irvine's Office of Technology Alliances to ALEKS Corporation under an exclusive, worldwide, perpetual license. In 2013, the ALEKS Corporation was acquired by McGraw-Hill Education.
ALEKS is available for a variety of courses and subjects that cover K-12, higher education, and continuing education, ranging from basic arithmetic and chemistry to pre-calculus and MBA financial accounting preparation.