Math Placement Test

Take a deep breathe and believe in yourself. Student talking to Oakton staff.The Math Placement Test is designed for Oakton to assess where you're at with math. It will help us find the right level course to support your success. 

Placement tests are given on-campus and remotely through the Testing Center.  Instructions and more information can be found online. Students who currently receive or intend to receive accommodations to complete a test should contact the Access and Disability Resource Center at 847.635.1489 or accessdisability@oakton.edu prior to testing.

Different careers require different types of math. We encourage you to reach out to Advising Services if you have questions about what math pathway aligns with your goals. 

Oakton Uses ALEKS Math Assessment Tool

This tool is structured into three phases 1) Initial Placement Assessment 2) Prep and Learning Modules 3) Retesting (if desired)

After taking the test a score reflecting your placement will be displayed. If you are not satisfied with your placement after this first attempt and are not currently enrolled in a Math class, you are encouraged to take the ALEKS assessment again.

  • ALEKS can be taken a total of 5 times over a one-year period.
  • In order to retest, work in ALEKS Prep and Learning Modules is required. (Instructions are below)
  • Assessments can be taken at either the Oakton campus or remotely.
  • If you have taken the ALEKS exam in a proctored environment at another university within the last 2 years and wish to transfer the score, you will need to send the results to Oakton. Instructions to send these results (PDF) (176 KB) to Oakton are available.
  • If a year has elapsed from when you first took the test and you wish to take the assessment again, a new subscription can be purchased.

Refer to the course catalog for more information on any of the Mathematics courses listed below in the ALEKS Score Chart.

It’s important that you consult with an academic advisor to determine which course is appropriate for you. Some courses are designed to coordinate with a specific degree or certificate. Contact the Enrollment Center at 847.635.1700, Room 1860, Des Plaines or 847.635.1400, Room A100, Skokie

See chart below for overview.

Before retesting, it is required that you spend time working in the ALEKS Prep and Learning Modules to improve your skills. Work in the modules can be done at any location (no password is required.)
To access the modules,

  • Log into myOakton, click on the Math ALEKS PPL link on the lower right-hand side of the screen.
  • Follow the prompts - click on the link for the assessment “class” (the year you first took the test).
  • The Prep and Learning modules will open. Choose the desired learning path.
  • Work in the modules does not have to be completed in one session. A timer on the left side of the module screen keeps track of how much time you have spent in the modules. You can spend more time than is required.

ALEKS retest conditions:

  • Before the 2nd attempt—3 hours of work in the Prep and Learning Modules is required
  • Before the 3rd attempt—3 additional hours of work is required.
  • Before the 4th attempt—5 additional hours of work is required.
  • And before the 5th attempt—8 additional hours of work is required.

If you have questions regarding your ALEKS results or would like guidance about retesting, please contact:

ALEKS Retest Support
aleks@oakton.edu
Division of STEM
847.635.1688

If you have questions related to your placement, please contact:
Mathematics Assessment Coordinator, Division of STEM
mathplace@oakton.edu
847.376.7110

  • There is no fee for first time account holders. Oakton students have free access to four additional assessment attempts for one year from the date of the initial assessments, and access to the Prep and Learning Modules for one year from the start of working in the modules.
  • If your subscription has expired and you wish to purchase a new subscription for $20, please contact either Testing Center (Des Plaines - 847.635.1939, Skokie - 847.635.1446) for directions.

ALEKS Score Chart

Effective Fall 2023

Cut Score   

Math courses for which a student can register:

0-13

065, 111, 114

14-29 

All of the above and 070

30-36 

All of the above and 080, 085, 087, 088, 095, 102, 116

37-45 

All of the above and 092, 125, 131

46-60 

All of the above and 122, 128, 140

61-75 

All of the above and 143, 144, 149, 180, 190

76-100

All of the above and 250

Geometry

Geometry
If you have an ALEKS score of 46 or above, you have satisfied the Geometry requirement. You may have fulfilled your requirement for geometry through previous coursework. To see if you have met the geometry requirement:

  • Log into my.oakton.edu and select the “Student Profile” from the menu
  • Choose “Prior Education and Testing”
  • Find “Geometry Requirement” in the Testing portion of the screen (lower right)
    • A value of 1 = requirement met
    • A value of 0 = requirement has not yet been met

If you have not satisfied the Geometry prerequisite … register for MAT 080 if you intend to take MAT 128, 140 or 149.

Students sitting on Des Plaines steps.

Other Ways to Place into College-Level Math

Students can earn an initial placement into math courses through a variety of methods.  These include recent ACT or SAT scores, previous developmental or college level math credit at other institutions, Transitional Math courses, GED scores, meeting certain criteria in High School work and the Oakton Mathematics Placement Test (ALEKS).

Email your scores and transcripts to the Mathematics Department Placement Coordinator for review.

Placement into college-level math is earned by meeting one of the following criteria:

 

Test Scores

  • ACT Math score of 20 or higher
  • SAT Math score of 490 or higher
  • GED score of 165 or higher on 'Mathematical Reasoning' (MAT125, MAT131)
  • GED score of 145 on 'Mathematical Reasoning' (MAT085, MAT087/125 [co-requisites], MAT095)
  • HiSet score of 15 or higher on Mathematics (MAT125, MAT131)
  • ALEKS placement score of 37 or higher

Grades

  • An overall HS GPA of at least 3.0 (unweighted) with a grade of C in both semesters of a fourth year of High School math
  • A grade of at least C in both semesters of an approved Transitional Math course in High School
  • A grade of at least C in a college-level transfer math course at another institution
  • A grade of at least C in another higher education institutions course that meets the learning objectives in Oakton's MAT085 or MAT0095

Agreements

  • Specific agreements regarding coursework with most High Schools in Oakton's district (Glenbrook, Maine, Northridge Prep, Evanston, Loyola or Niles Township).

To meet the prerequisite of an Oakton course in Mathematics, you must have one of the following:

Developmental Courses 

These are designed to equip you with the tools needed to succeed in future math courses.

Here is the chart showing the sequence and relationship of Developmental Math classes: Mathematics Course Dependency Graph (PDF) (702 KB).

Credit Courses

You can place into these courses by

  • taking the pre-requisite at Oakton
  • earning the appropriate ALEKS placement score or
  • transferring in coursework that fulfills pre-requisites (in an established timeframe)

Here is the sequence for college-level math classes by pre-major/goal area:

A.A. and A.F.A. (Transfer degrees, non-STEM or non-business)

MAT125 (General Education Math)  or  MAT131 (Elementary Statistics)

* Can be taken with co-requisites if you have a score of 30-36 on ALEKS placement or the previous Development Math sequence is accomplished. 

** A co-requisite course is taken alongside the 100-level course, saving time and money. It covers material from the pre-requisite curriculum.

Elementary Education

MAT128 (Math for Elementary Educators I), then MAT129 (Math for Elementary Educators II)

Pre-requisite: MAT092, or MAT095 

Business

MAT140 (College Algebra), then Business Sequence

Pre-requisite: MAT092, or MAT105

A.S., A.S.E., STEM

MAT122 (Trigonometry) + MAT140 (College Algebra), then Calculus Sequence

Pre-requisites: MAT092, or MAT095 

 or  MAT149 (Pre-Calculus), then Calculus Sequence

Pre-requisite: MAT095 with a grade of A 

General Studies, some A.A.S. degrees, some certificates

MAT111 (Business Math)

Other Certificates and A.A.S. degrees

MAT114 (Technical Math I), then MAT116 (Technical Math II)

Math classes vary by Oakton degree and by transfer program; be sure to work with your advisor to outline the best path for your goal. 

Review your ALEKS Placement Score and compare it to the Score Chart.

If you've taken an equivalent course elsewhere and earned a qualifying grade, you can have prerequisites waived. Have your transcripts and scores examined by the Mathematics Department Placement Coordinator.

* Remember to include what course you are attempting to register for here at Oakton.