FAQ on Placement Testing


Do I have to take placement exams?

All incoming freshmen must take the ALEKS PPL Math Placement Exam. There are no exceptions. If you are a freshman, you need to take the math test.

Transfer students, though, are in a different situation. If you already have transferred credit for Calculus I, you don't need to take the ALEKS PPL Math Placement Exam. If you don't plan to enroll in Calculus I for your academic program requirements, you don't need to take the ALEKS PPL Math Placement Exam. However, if you do plan to enroll in Calculus I or in a lower-level math course (e.g., precalculus or algebra), then you must take the math test. If you are not sure whether you will take a math class at Illinois, we encourage you to take the math placement test, especially if you are planning to go into engineering or any program requiring math.

Whether you should take the EPT, a science placement test, or one of the "language other than English" (LOTE) placement tests will depend on several factors, including your academic background, the college you are entering, and any transferable credit you earned elsewhere.

When can I take my placement tests?

They are available in early May for students who are admitted for the Summer or Fall semester and in early November for students who are admitted for the Spring semester.

The exams are offered online, so you can take them whenever it is convenient for you.

How many times can I take the placement exams?

You may take the EPT, the science, and the the "language other than English" (LOTE) placement exams only ONCE.

You may take the ALEKS PPL Math Placement Exam more than once. Immediately upon completing the math test, you will see your score and, if you are not satisfied with the result, you can take the test again as early as the next day. If you want to take it a third time, you will be required to engage in the learning module for a minimum of 5 hours before being allowed to log in and test again. If you wish to test a fourth or fifth time, you will need to contact the Math Department to request permission and a password to access the test again.

You should always discuss your test results with your academic advisor so that you plan your course schedule appropriately to fulfill your degree requirements.

I am a sophomore/junior/senior at Illinois, and I never took my placement tests. Can I take them now?

Generally, no. "New Student Placement Testing" is available only to new, incoming students. If you did not take the placement exams prior to or during your first year at Illinois, your option now may be to take a departmental proficiency exam. Check with the department, though, to see whether results are simply PASS/FAIL (meaning, you won't get a placement recommendation) or whether results provide you with an updated assessment of your knowledge and skills as well as a course placement recommendation.

We now have a Spanish and a French placement tests for upperclassmen. You will be able to log in whenever you wish using your NetID.

I can't log in. What should I do?

Can you answer YES to all of these questions?

  1. Are you coming in as a new freshman or a new transfer student for Fall 2023?
  2. Did you receive an email notification from the Office of Undergraduate Admissions informing you that you should do your checklist and take your placement tests?
  3. Did you claim your Network ID?
  4. Did you enter the correct NetID and AD password? Your NetID is not your UIN. Technology Services can help if you need assistance with your accounts and passwords.

 

If you answered YES to all of those questions but you are still having trouble logging in to the science or language placement tests, please call us during normal business hours at 217-244-4437 or email us at pnp@illinois.edu. Provide your UIN, describe what you are doing, and tell us the error message, if any, you are getting.

If you are having trouble logging in to the ALEKS PPL Math Placement Test, the ALEKS Customer Support will help you.

How do I find out my course placement?
  • Your ALEKS PPL Math Exam score will be shown to you when you complete the exam. There will also be a pie chart illustrating how you did on the questions you were given. You can print out your results if you wish.
  • Your science and "language other than English" placement results will also be shown to you when you complete an exam. Just click on the SUMMARY tab to view them. You can also print this page, if you wish.
  • If you took the EPT, you will need to check with your academic advisor about a week after the testing window closed.
  • If you take a placement exam in a less commonly studied language, you will need to check with that department to learn how you did. Usually within a week they send you an email with your test results.
     

It is very important that you discuss your course enrollment options with your academic advisor during New Student Registration, especially if your placement allows you to choose from two or more courses.

The advisor you meet with for New Student Registration may or may not be the same person who is your official academic advisor. Be sure to ask and write down your academic advisor’s name, office location, and email address. This is the person who will guide you through your program until you graduate. You can meet with him or her at any time to review the results of your placement exams and discuss your course enrollment options.