Placement Testing
Placements measure your current skill level to help make sure you register for the right course — where you can be successful and progress. Try to be as accurate as possible when taking placements, if you don't know an answer it's okay! It's better to get an accurate placement than to place into a course that will hurt your chances of success.
PLACEMENT INFORMATION:
To register for a math or science course that requires a certain math placement, you must first submit proof of passing grade in a prior college math course, score of 4 or higher in AP Calculus AB and/or BC, to uaf-admissions@alaska.edu OR take the free ALEKS placement exam.
Once you take EdReady’s initial writing placement assessment, a score will be provided
based on the skills you have mastered already. Your score will correspond to the course(s)
you have placed on the placement table.
Don't worry if your initial score doesn't fall within the required range for the writing
course you want to take — EdReady can also help you improve! It uses your scores to
build a personalized study path. The study path is designed to help you work on the
fundamental skills you need to be ready for the next level of courses. You can complete
the learning path modules and be placed into the next level of writing. For more information
regarding the writing courses available, please get in touch with your advisor.
WHAT DO I DO NOW?
Instructions for the ALEKS math placement:
High school dual enrollment students: Obtain a UA ID and username by registering for your course(s) at https://ecampus.uaf.edu/advantage/. UAF eCampus will then send you an email with your ID and username.
All other students: Go to elmo.alaska.edu and select Option 2 to set or reset your UA password, if needed.
- Log in to ALEKS. This can be done from any computer with an internet connection.
- Students can always contact a local campus or testing center for assistance with ALEKS.
UAF will automatically receive your ALEKS score but you must proactively reach out to your advisor to discuss placement.
Alaska Advantage students should contact the Alaska Advantage Coordinator at uaf-ecampus-advantage@alaska.edu.
If you’re not sure who your advisor is, go here.
Instructions for Writing placement:
Log into EdReady to take your writing assessment. This can be done from any computer with an internet connection. You’ll need your UAF username and password:
High school dual enrollment students in the Alaska Advantage program: Obtain a Student ID and username by registering for your course(s) at https://ecampus.uaf.edu/advantage/. UAF eCampus will then send you an email with your ID and username. (Dual enrollment students who are not in the Alaska Advantage program, please contact UAF Admissions at uaf-admissions@alaska.edu.)
All other students: Go to elmo.alaska.edu and select Option 2 to set or reset your UA password, if needed. For more assistance, contact the OIT Support Center at 800-478-8226, 907-450-8300 or helpdesk@alaska.edu.
Select “Go to Goal” for the Writing placement, the “Start diagnostic” to take the
assessment.
You will be given your score and study path once you are finished. Refer to the placement
table to see the recommended course(s) for your score.
If you didn’t get the score needed for the course you want to take, continue working on the study path in EdReady to improve your score.
Reach out to your advisor to get registered for your classes. Your advisor will have access to your placement score. If you’re not sure who your advisor is, look them up here.
FAQs
Frequently asked questions about placement exams at UAF.
Most new college students will need to take the ALEKS math placement, but you should work closely with your advisor to determine which placements you may need. Students with transfer, Advanced Placement and/or International Baccalaureate credit may not need to take a placement for math and/or writing. High school students taking classes should work with the dual enrollment coordinator (uaf-ecampus-advantage@alaska.edu).
No, ALEKS math placement, EdReady writing placement and ACCUPLACER are unique to each school.
Yes, but they may not accept the scores since each school develops their own scoring system for placement. There is no official system for submitting scores. If you need help looking up your test scores, please contact us at uaf-ecampus-placement@alaska.edu.
Make sure you’re logging in to the UAF instance of ALEKS at alaska.edu/aleks and select UAF as your campus. You must start the study modules within six weeks of completing the test or you will need to take the test again to access the modules.
Yes, there are practice questions available at https://accuplacer.collegeboard.org/students/prepare-for-accuplacer/practice.
There are many pathways depending on your goals, and you may find you are eligible for multiple classes. Please contact your advisor to figure out the best class for you based on your placement! Alaska Advantage students should contact the Alaska Advantage Coordinator at uaf-ecampus-advantage@alaska.edu.
No, the EdReady writing assessment is not proctored. It can be taken from any computer with an internet connection
There is no charge for the EdReady writing assessment.
If you are not part of the current academic year cohort, you can add yourself by selecting "Add Class" after logging into ALEKS. When prompted, enter Class Code: WD3JY-DFN34
Rural students can coordinate placement testing (as well as advising and enrollment) with their local rural campus staff.
The system may take up to 24 hours to receive and process your score. Your score is good for 12 months, after which point ALEKS must be taken again. You may also be trying to register for a course you did not place into, or have a registration hold on your account. Please contact your advisor for assistance. Alaska Advantage students should contact the Alaska Advantage Coordinator at uaf-ecampus-advantage@alaska.edu.
You must spend at least three hours using the study prep modules between the first and second attempt and five hours between subsequent attempts.
Make sure you’re logging in at alaska.edu/aleks (do not search online for ALEKS and log in there). You must have a UA username and password to log in to ALEKS. If you logged in as a guest, you were at the wrong ALEKS location. Please see Math placement steps above for how to retrieve your UA username and password.
Go to alaska.edu/aleks. Do not search online for ALEKS and click a general link.
You will need to start a new ALEKS exam by logging in at alaska.edu/aleks. ALEKS exams must be completed within 72 hours or you will need to restart the exam. ALEKS scores also expire after 12 months.
Access to the study modules expire six weeks from your date of testing.
Your results will be available to you immediately after you finish the assessment. Your results will also be available to your advisor.
The study paths in EdReady are designed to help you master the concepts needed to both increase your score and succeed in your writing classes. Your advisor can also provide further information regarding the different levels of writing classes at UAF and what course aligns with your academic plans and goals.
Neither the ALEKS nor EdReady placements require a proctor, but UAF Exam Services is here to help if you need assistance. Contact us Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at uaf-testing@alaska.edu or 907-455-2060.