Mathematics Placement Assessment

$Mobius-Heading.jpg$

Lincoln University requires a proctored ALEKS placement assessment to determine readiness for various mathematics courses. A Möbius placement assessment will be provided as an option to students who wish to either confirm course placement based on the ALEKS score, or attempt to place into a higher course than indicated by the ALEKS score. The ALEKS placement assessment covers material from Basic Math through Pre-calculus and will take approximately 90 minutes to complete. After the initial remote assessment, a targeted Preparation and Learning Module is available for the student to review and learn material, and prepare for the (proctored) placement assessment that will also be taken remotely.

All students are strongly encouraged to spend several hours using the ALEKS Prep and Learning Module. Even if a student has achieved placement in their desired course, time spent in ALEKS will better prepare them for their upcoming course and ultimately lead to better grades.

After the proctored ALEKS placement assessment is complete, the student will be eligible to register for the course into which they have been placed. As mentioned above, the student may alternatively elect to attempt a subject-specific placement assessment through Möbius. The subject of the Möbius assessment will be based on the score earned on the ALEKS assessment. Möbius subject assessments take approximately 30-45 minutes.

First of all, RELAX. These are “assessments,” NOT TESTS. The difference is that an assessment is designed to determine what a student knows. At the end of the assessment process, a student will have a much better sense of their strengths and weaknesses in math. There is really no penalty for incorrectly answering a question on an assessment. The most important thing is that the student takes the assessments seriously and gives them an honest effort so that their scores truly reflect their level of knowledge and math preparedness.

Be honest about skill level. There is no benefit to cheating on a placement assessment – the only reward will be that the student is forced to take a class that is too difficult for their current level of mathematical knowledge. Therefore, while a student is taking an assessment, they should not consult any other source for help (friends, family, Internet searches, etc.). The purpose of the placement assessment process is to give an accurate measure of the student's current mathematical skills so that they will be successful in their mathematics courses.

Placement Assessment	Proctored?	Time Limit	Number of Questions	Passing Score
ALEKS (1st attempt)	Unproctored	2 hours	Up to 25	N/A
ALEKS (2nd attempt)	Proctored	2 hours	Up to 25	N/A
Möbius Basic Algebra (BA)	Proctored	30 minutes	25	13
Möbius Algebra	Proctored	45 minutes	32	20
Möbius Advanced Algebra (AA)	Proctored	30 minutes	25	15
Möbius Trigonometry and Elementary Functions (TEF)	Proctored	45 minutes	30	21
Möbius Calculus Readiness (CR)	Proctored	30 minutes	25	13

A student's placement result for each ALEKS assessment is their percentage mastery of the relevant concepts. Möbius placement results vary by subject.

Course placement at Lincoln University is determined as follows:

How to read the above diagrams:

The score ranges in the second column of each diagram are among the possible results for the unproctored and proctored ALEKS placement assessments.
Once an ALEKS score range is determined, the student may either register for the appropriate course into which they have been placed (top diagram) or be directed to a subject-specific Möbius placement assessment (bottom diagram). For the bottom diagram, the directed Möbius assessment will be based on the following:
- Basic Algebra if the ALEKS score is in the range 0-24.
- Algebra if the ALEKS score is in the range 25-34.
- Advanced Algebra if the ALEKS score is in the range 35-49.
- Trigonometry and Elementary Functions [TEF] if the ALEKS score is in the range 50-69.
- Calculus Readiness if the ALEKS score is in the range 70-100.
- EXCEPTION: If a student's proctored ALEKS placement assessment score is in the range 70-100, the Möbius Calculus Readiness placement assessment MUST be completed.
For a particular Möbius placement assessment, the earned score will fit in one of two ranges ("pass" or "fail"), and therefore will provide an alternative means of course placement.

Example: A student scores a 30 on the ALEKS placement assessment. At this point, the student has the following options and outcomes.

The student may go ahead and register for MAT-1002 or MAT-1006, depending on major (top diagram). The majors connected to the MAT-1006A/1006 track are provided in the FAQ section below. Once the student attends their first day of class, they will no longer be provided the optional Möbius placement assessment.
The student may elect to move to the subject-specific Möbius placement assessment. For a score of 30, they would be directed to attempt the Algebra Möbius placement assessment (bottom diagram).
1. The student scores an 18 on the Algebra Möbius placement assessment. Therefore, the student is placed into MAT-1002 or MAT-1006, depending on major.
2. The student scores a 22 on the Algebra Möbius placement assessment. Therefore, the student is placed into MAT-1010.

Once you are admitted and given Lincoln’s student status, the Math Learning Center (MLC) will sign you up and e-mail you your ALEKS PPL login credentials. Please check your Lincoln e-mail regularly.

Once you receive your login information, please do the following:

Sign in to https://www.aleks.com/ using the Login Name and password you received from the MLC. Your Login Name will have been e-mailed to you, and your default password will be in the form L*******, where the asterisks represent your 7-digit student ID (don't forget the leading "0"). For instance, a student ID of 0123456 would mean the default password is L0123456. It is highly recommended you change your password upon successful first login.
Answer the survey questions and go through the tutorial that shows you how to navigate the system.
Take the initial unproctored (practice) placement assessment. The score earned on this assessment is NOT used for course placement.
Once you finish the initial assessment, the system will take you to the Preparation and Learning Modules: five modules from Basic Algebra to Pre-Calculus that can help prepare you for the (proctored) placement assessment that you are going to take online using LockDown Browser and Respondus Monitor (webcam). While the learning modules are not required, it is highly recommended you spend some time in one to familiarize yourself with content that may help to improve your proctored ALEKS placement assessment score.
Access the proctored assessment by entering the proctor password FALL24 and complete it to receive your ALEKS placement assessment score. Then, do one of the following:
1. Use the top diagram to determine into which mathematics course you have been placed.
2. Use the bottom diagram to determine which subject-specific Möbius placement assessment to which you will be directed.
If the first option is selected in Step 5 above, then you have completed the placement assessment process. Move to Step 8 below.
If the second option is selected in Step 5 above, then send an e-mail to mlc@lincoln.edu with a request to set up an on-campus proctored attempt of the appropriate Möbius placement assessment. Unlike the ALEKS placement assessment, Möbius assessments must be completed in the presence of a proctor.
Send an e-mail to mlc@lincoln.edu notifying the MLC that you have completed the proctored placement assessment in ALEKS. This will trigger an upload of your score to your LU Self-Service student account so you can either register for the course into which you have been placed, or use it to confirm eligibility for attempting the appropriate Möbius placement assessment.

For more information about Mathematics Placement at Lincoln University, contact
Mathematics Learning Center
Amsalu Soboki, Coordinator, aayele@lincoln.edu, Wright Hall 209, 484-365-7469
Claude Tameze, Director, ctameze@lincoln.edu, Wright Hall 204

Who has to take the ALEKS placement assessment?
All incoming Lincoln University freshman and new transfer students without earned credit in a mathematics course. The one exception is for students who plan to complete any one of the following programs of study: French, Spanish, Mass Communications, Human Services, Anthropology, Criminal Justice, Sociology, Music, Visual Arts, History, Pan-Africana Studies, Philosophy, Political Science, Religion, or English. These programs have a math requirement of either MAT-106A or MAT-106.

If a student plans to enroll in MAT-1006A (4-credit course with an algebra emphasis), then no placement assessment is required and the student may register for MAT-1006A as soon as possible.
If a student plans to enroll in MAT-1006 (4-credit course without an algebra emphasis), then a placement assessment is required (see the above diagrams for the necessary ALEKS and Möbius placement assessment scores).
If a student changes to a STEM program (any program other than the ones listed above) after attempting either MAT-1006A or MAT-1006, then the student must enroll in the math course their ALEKS or Möbius placement assessment score indicates into which they have been placed. If a placement assessment had not been completed, then the student must enroll in MAT-1001 and cannot complete a placement assessment.

Who has to take the Möbius placement assessment
Only students who earn a score in the range 70-100 on the proctored ALEKS placement assessment must complete the Calculus Readiness Möbius assessment. Möbius is optional for all other students.

Is there a fee for using ALEKS or Möbius?
There is no fee to students; both are being paid by Lincoln University.

Can I retake the ALEKS placement assessment?
Yes, you may take up to 2 placement assessments. However, to make the second attempt worthwhile, it is recommended that you spend time working in your ALEKS Prep and Learning Module after the first assessment so that you can improve your skills.

Can I retake the Möbius placement assessment?
No, the subject-specific Möbius assessment can only be taken one time.

Are ALEKS placement assessments proctored?
The initial placement assessment that students take remotely is not proctored. The second placement assessment is to be given online and is proctored. The score of the proctored attempt will be used (1) for placement, or (2) to determine which subject-specific Möbius assessment you complete.

Is the Möbius placement assessment proctored?
Yes, the Möbius assessment is administered on campus and is proctored.

Is remote proctoring available for ALEKS?
Yes, students may use LockDown Browser with Respondus Monitor to take the second ALEKS placement assessment remotely using a webcam. This process entails recording the student's attempt and making the recording available to Lincoln University for review. There is no fee for this service.

Is remote proctoring available for Möbius?
No, all Möbius placement assessments are completed on campus in the physical presence of a proctor.

Does the remote proctoring require scheduling or advance notice?
For ALEKS, LockDown Browser + Respondus Monitor proctoring is available on-demand 24/7, with no scheduling required.

How does it look for students?
For ALEKS, when a student begins a placement assessment requiring LockDown Browser with Respondus Monitor, the student will be prompted to download the custom ALEKS LockDown Browser software. If the student has the browser already installed on his or her device, the assessment will launch the browser directly. Note: Students will see the more recognizable term “webcam” instead of the commercial name of “Respondus Monitor.”

What are the system requirements?
LockDown Browser and Respondus Monitor will work on PC’s, MAC’s, and iPads (with the Respondus LockDown Browser App installed). You can find specific system requirements posted here: https://www.aleks.com/support/lockdown_system_requirements. The same system requirements exist for completing a Möbius placement assessment.

Must I work in my ALEKS Prep and Learning Module between placement assessments?
No, this is an optional resource that can be used to better prepare you for the proctored placement assessment.

Are placement assessments timed?
Yes, you have 2 hours to complete an ALEKS placement assessment once it has begun.
For Möbius, your designated subject-specific assessment will have a time limit of either 30 or 45 minutes.

How long will a placement assessment take to complete?
For ALEKS, placement assessments require approximately 90 minutes to complete, but the amount of time will vary by student. There will be a maximum of 25 questions.

For Möbius, placement assessments require approximately 30 to 45 minutes to complete, but the amount of time will vary by student. Depending on the subject-specific assesment, the maximum number of questions will be between 25 and 32.

May I use a calculator while using ALEKS?
ALEKS will provide an on-screen calculator if you need one to complete a particular problem. Otherwise, you may not use a calculator.

May I use a calculator while using Möbius?
No, all Möbius assessments are calculator-inactive.

What happens if I do not complete a placement assessment in the allotted time?
For the unproctored ALEKS placement assessment, you will have to restart it.

For the proctored ALEKS and Möbius placement assessments, you will be given a score, but it may underestimate your true ability.

May I use any other resources during a placement assessment?
You may only use a pen or pencil, paper, and the resources provided by ALEKS and Möbius. You may not receive assistance from friends, family, other websites, textbooks, phones, calculators, or any other resource not provided by ALEKS or Möbius. Using outside resources may lead to improper placement and ultimately course failure.

How long is my placement result valid?
Your placement result is valid for as long as you are an active Lincoln University student.

Can I practice using ALEKS and Möbius before I begin placement?
ALEKS will begin with a brief tutorial before your placement begins. There is no available practice before the Möbius assessment is given.

How long do I have access to my Prep and Learning Module?
You will have access until the placement assessment period concludes. Since you are provided access to it after the first, unproctored attempt, the length of availability will vary from student to student.

Is there an additional fee for my Prep and Learning Module?
Access to a Prep and Learning Module is included along with two placement assessments.

What are ALEKS Progress Assessments?
While working in a Prep and Learning Module, you will periodically complete progress assessments to solidify your gains in knowledge.

Does progress in an ALEKS Prep and Learning Module count toward placement?
No, you must complete a new placement assessment to change your placement result. Click on the menu in the upper-left of the page from within ALEKS to navigate. Only your placement assessment result will be used for course placement.

Can I change to a different Prep and Learning Module later?
No, you may only use one Prep and Learning Module. If you are unsure which module to select, use the module recommended by ALEKS.

What if I do not place into the course I wanted?
After you take the initial placement assessment, you can use a Prep and Learning Module to review and learn. This gives you a chance to improve your result for your second placement assessment. Additionally, after the ALEKS proctored placement assessment is complete, the subject-specific Möbius assessment may lead to higher course placement.

I did not place into the class I wanted. Can I take it anyway?
No, you must achieve the minimum placement result to take each corresponding class.

What if I placed into the class I wanted?
Congratulations! Continue to use your Prep and Learning Module to improve your chances for success. The placement result above is the minimum preparation required for your course! Take advantage of the targeted review and learning features in ALEKS to get a better grade in your class.

Where can I get help with ALEKS?
http://support.aleks.com/assess_placement

Where can I get help with Möbius?
https://www.digitaled.com/support/help/student/Content/Students-Home.htm

Mathematics Placement Assessment

Placement Assessment Process

Frequently Asked Questions

Important Links