Math Placement Test

What is it?

  • ALEKS PPL (Adaptive LEarning in Knowledge Spaces – Placement, Preparation and Learning) is a placement tool used to help properly place students in mathematics courses.  ALEKS PPL is replacing COMPASS because the company that produced COMPASS no longer offers the test.

When is it coming?

  • ALEKS PPL will be given to students intending to take mathematics courses at Oakland Community College during the winter 2017 semester. This new testing process will begin on November 7, 2016.

Who does it affect?

  • Students who are admitted to Oakland Community College for Winter 2017 semester after November 7 will take the ALEKS PPL Math Placement Test. Students who apply before November 7 may take the current COMPASS test as long as they take the placement on or before November 6.
  • Students should visit the OCC Placement webpage to review testing procedures and must complete the unproctored ALEKS PPL mandatory practice test via MyOCC before they can take the proctored test that will count for placement. Students will not be allowed to take the proctored ALEKS PPL placement without having completed the unproctored practice on their own.

Will COMPASS scores still be valid after Winter 2017?

  • Yes. Students transferring COMPASS scores from other institutions (if taken on or before October 31, 2016) or who have taken COMPASS at Oakland Community College in the past two years can use their COMPASS scores for placement purposes. As before, all COMPASS scores will expire two years from the time the placement was taken.

Does Oakland Community College Accept Placement Score From Other Institutions?

  • Yes, Oakland Community College accepts valid COMPASS and ACCUPLACER placement scores from other institutions. An official copy of the placement score report must be provided to Oakland Community College via email (CES@oaklnadcc.edu) or by fax (248.341.2199) from the institution that administered the test.  Scores have a 2-year expiration date.

Does this change impact OCC’s current retest or exemption policy?

  • The exemption policy does not change at this time.
  • The retest policy does change – ALEKS PPL has three retesting attempts included in the subscription that must be completed within one year from the mandatory practice attempt. See more details about this policy on the Placement Testing webpage.

Will ALEKS PPL scores expire?

  • Yes – scores are good for two years.

How much does it cost?

  • There is no cost to you for your initial subscription to ALEKS PPL.  You will need to purchase an access code for $25 if you do not register for a math course prior to your score expiring. The math discipline recommends retesting after one year has passed since your last ALEKS PPL placement test.