ALEKS Math Placement Test

GW uses the online placement system Assessment and Learning in Knowledge Spaces (ALEKS) to place students in the appropriate economics course.

ALEKS is an online, non-multiple choice adaptive placement exam that we use to determine the appropriate placement in mathematics and economics courses. The goal is to ensure that you have the skills that you need in order to succeed in the course that you take.

For students wanting to register for ECON 1011, you must achieve the minimum required score of 61 on the virtual ALEKS Math Placement test prior to registering for the class unless you have completed ECON 1001 with a grade of B- or higher. For students who started at the university in Fall of 2023 or later, you must achieve the minimum score on a proctored ALEKS Math Placement Test to remain in the course. For students who have received credit for MATH 1221, or MATH 1231, or MATH 1252, or MATH 1232, the ALEKS Math Placement test requirement is waived.

Students must complete the ALEKS test to register for ECON 1001, but there is no minimum score required.

For Fall 2024 Economics Courses

FOR STUDENTS WHO STARTED AT THE UNIVERSITY FALL 2023 OR LATER:

You are required to have the minimum score on a proctored version of the ALEKS test in order to take ECON 1011 and ECON 1001. Continuing students who need to register for a fall have an opportunity to take an proctored test on campus in March prior to registration. You may use your score on the virtual (unproctored) ALEKS Math Placement Test to register, but if you do not achieve the minimum score on the proctored test for ECON 1011, you will be required to move to ECON 1001. If you do not already have the score needed on a proctored exam for the course you want to take, please sign up using the link below. You can work in the learning and practice modules in ALEKS to prepare for the proctored placement exam.

Sign up for the March proctored placement test. You must sign up by March 15.

FOR STUDENTS WHO STARTED AT THE UNIVERSITY PRIOR TO FALL 2023:

You must achieve the minimum score on the virtual (unproctored) ALEKS math placement test prior to registering for ECON 1011 or ECON 1001. Students will not be able to take the virtual (unproctored) placement test on 3/5-3/6 and 3/20-3/23. If you have already completed three unproctored tests since March 2023 you may sign up for a proctored test in order to register for your course.

If you require accommodations for the ALEKS assessment, please contact GW's Disability Support Services (DSS) as soon as possible to request reasonable accommodations. Please note that the DSS registration process can take 1-2 weeks. If you have questions about the DSS registration process, please contact [email protected] or 202-994-8250.

Take the ALEKS Test

Who Needs to Take ALEKS

This test is mandatory for any student who wishes to register for ECON 1001 or ECON 1011.

Scores on the virtual (unproctored) ALEKS Math Placement Test provide guidance in selecting the appropriate Economics course prior to registration. You must have the required virtual ALEKS placement test score in the system prior to registering.

Please be advised that you have a total of 3 (three) attempts to take the virtual (unproctored) placement test and achieve the required minimum score for the course you want to take prior to initial registration.

All students who entered the university in Fall 2023 or later must have the required minimum score on the proctored ALEKS Math Placement Test in order to be enrolled in a course.

You may use the ALEKS Knowledge Prep and Learning Modules to try to improve your score on the unproctored test and prepare for the proctored placement exam. Students who spend more time in the prep modules are more likely to see improvement and will be better prepared for the required proctored exam.

Minimum Required ALEKS Test Scores Required for Registration

ECON 1001: No minimum score required (but students must still complete the ALEKS test)
ECON 1011: 61

Guidance on Taking the Virtual Unproctored Test

Students have 2.5 hours to complete the virtual assessment and should ensure that they start the test only when they expect to have the full 2.5 hours available uninterrupted. If you do not complete the test and submit within the allotted time it will not count as a test attempt and record your work. Be sure to watch the clock and complete the assessment within the allotted time.
Students should take the test only when they feel they are prepared and with the intention of doing their best. It is important for students to take their time and not rush through the assessment. The purpose of the ALEKS test is to ensure students are placed in a course that they will find challenging but manageable. Students who do not prepare or take the assessment seriously run the risk of being placed in a course that will be boring, frustrating, or both. The goal of the Economics Department is for students to have a successful first semester.
You have a total of three (3) attempts to take this unproctored test and try for the required minimum score to initially register for the course you want to take.
After every attempt, before you can retake the test, you must spend a minimum of three hours studying the ALEKS Prep and Learning Modules.
There is a cool-off period of 24 hours between assessments. This means 24 hours must pass before you can retake the placement test.

Proctored ALEKS Math Placement Test

The proctored placement test is required for ALL students starting GW in Fall 2023 or later who wish to take ECON 1011, regardless of whether or not they achieved the minimum score on the virtual placement test. Those who use their unproctored virtual score to register cannot remain enrolled in ECON 1011 unless they achieve the required minimum score on the proctored placement test.

What happens if a student does not achieve the required minimum score for ECON 1011 on the proctored ALEKS placement exam?

If you do not achieve the minimum required score on the proctored exam you will need to drop ECON 1011 and register for ECON 1001. Students who are registered for ECON 1001 and score higher than a 61 on the proctored exam are encouraged to enroll in ECON 1011 rather than staying in ECON 1001. If you have questions or concerns about your ALEKS placement and how this could affect your course schedule, contact your home school advisor.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is ALEKS?

ALEKS is an online, non-multiple choice adaptive placement exam. The ALEKS placement exam is used to assist students in determining the appropriate level of placement in mathematics and economics courses, to help ensure students have the demonstrated skills for the greatest likelihood of success.

How do students take ALEKS?

Students can access the virtual (unproctored) placement exam directly. You must sign in with your GW credentials. Students will receive information on how to sign up for the proctored exam.

Who must take ALEKS?

All incoming students who are in one of the following GW schools must complete the ALEKS math placement exam:

Elliott School of International Affairs
Milken Institute School of Public Health
School of Engineering and Applied Sciences
School of Business

All students who plan to register for one of the following courses must complete the ALEKS math placement exam:

ECON 1001: Principles of Math for Economics
ECON 1011: Principles of Microeconomics
MATH 1051: Finite Mathematics for Social and Management Sciences
MATH 1220: Calculus with Precalculus I
MATH 1231: Single Variable Calculus I
MATH 1252: Calculus: Social & Management Sciences

The chart below details course eligibility by minimum ALEKS placement scores:

Minimum ALEKS Scores

What is the deadline for students enrolled in GW prior to fall 2023 to attain the minimum placement score on the virtual placement test?

Students must have the minimum required virtual ALEKS placement test score for the class they want to register for at least two days prior to initially registering for ECON 1011. Students must complete all virtual attempts prior to the start of classes.

How many times can a student take the virtual unproctored ALEKS math placement exam?

The virtual (unproctored) ALEKS Math Placement may be taken more than once, with a total of 3 attempts in one year. Students must wait a minimum of 24 hours and complete a minimum of 3 hours in the Prep Learning Modules between virtual ALEKS attempts. A significant percentage of students who take advantage of the ALEKS Learning Modules improve their scores. Students who spend at least 15 hours in a learning module show the most improvement in their scores. Scores do not normally change without review and practice between assessments.

If a student completed ECON 1001, do they still have to take ALEKS to register for ECON 1011?

Students who earn a grade of C+ or below in ECON 1001 must still take ALEKS and attain a score of 61 or higher to enroll in ECON 1011. Students who complete ECON 1001 with a B- or higher do not need to take ALEKS again to enroll in ECON 1011.

When is the required proctored ALEKS Placement Exam offered?

For fall 2024 course enrollment, the required proctored ALEKS placement exam for current students will be offered on March 21 and 22.

Sign up for the March proctored placement test. You must sign up by March 15.

How long will the virtual placement exam take?

Students should allow 2 hours of uninterrupted time to complete the assessment. The exam is adaptive so the actual time and number of questions will vary depending on the student. Most students complete ALEKS in approximately 90 minutes. Students will have up to 2 ½ hours from when they begin the placement exam to complete it before they will have to start the exam again.

May students use a calculator or any other resources while taking ALEKS?

Students may only use a pen or pencil, paper and the resources provided within ALEKS.
ALEKS provides an on -screen calculator if students need one to complete a particular problem. Otherwise, a calculator may not be used. Students may not receive assistance from friends, family, other websites, textbooks, or any other resource not provided by ALEKS. Using outside resources may lead to improper course placement and ultimately course failure. It is also a violation of GW's academic integrity policy.

How do students see their virtual ALEKS score?

When students reach the end of the questions, and submit their assessment, a score and a pie chart will appear. The "Placement Result " (overall score) will range from 0 to 100. The system also displays subscores in different math topic areas to let students know how they performed in each area. It is the "Placement Result" score that is used for placement purposes in the GW system.

How do the Prep Learning Modules work?

The ALEKS Your Knowledge and Prep Learning Modules provide a personalized tutorial based on the types of problems students answered correctly and incorrectly on the previous assessment. Therefore, the learning modules are available only after students have taken ALEKS the first time. Once a student begins a Knowledge and Prep Learning Module they will have access to it for six months. As students answer questions they will see their MyPie fill up, and ALEKS may reassess them from time to time to ensure they have retained the topic information, but this does not count as one of the three total attempts.

What should a student do if they need accommodations for the ALEKS assessments?

If you require accommodations for the ALEKS assessments, please contact GW’s Disability Support Services (DSS) as soon as possible to request reasonable accommodations. Please note that the DSS registration process can take 1-2 weeks. If you have questions about the DSS registration process, please contact [email protected].

Students who need to access an ADA compliant version of ALEKS should contact Disability Support Services for assistance.

What does a student do if they need department or technical assistance?

If you experience issues with ALEKS, please contact Professor Murli Gupta or Professor Jay Daigle. Answers to frequently asked technical questions can be found on the ALEKS support site. Students who need further technical assistance with ALEKS may contact ALEKS support using the customer support form.

Recommended Plan of Study

The department offers recommended course schedules based on ALEKS scores.

BA Course Schedules

BS Course Schedules