Placement Assessment FAQ
If your question is not answered here, please email Kristen Coleman at placement@dominican.edu
Do I need to take the math placement assessment?
Almost all students need to take the math placement assessment
Exceptions:
You have an SAT math score of 620 or higher or an ACT math score of 26 or higher and are not a Biology or Chemistry major
You took a math course at a college or university and it meets your CORE math requirement according to your Transfer Course Evaluation (TCE) and are not a Biology or Chemistry major
Note: If you are waived from taking this placement assessment, you may still consider taking it in order to attempt to waive your terminal math course.
The math placement assessment takes approximately 90 minutes
Do I need to take the chemistry placement assessment?
The following students are required to take the chemistry placement assessment:
Biology, Chemistry, and Nursing majors
Undecided majors who are considering any of the majors listed above
Note: If you did not take chemistry in high school or you feel that you would benefit from greater confidence in chemistry, you can opt into Intro to Chemistry - CHEM 1500 in lieu of taking the placement assessment
The chemistry placement assessment is untimed and generally takes about an hour to complete
Who is my advisor?
Your advisor's contact information is in an email titled "Advisor Information for [your name]"
Note: Your advisor will reach out to you to schedule an advising session after you complete your required placement assessment(s)
Where can I find the links to the placement assessments?
The links are in an email sent to you titled “Registration Instructions for New 1st Year Students" or “Registration Instructions for New Transfer Students”
Note: This email is sent out after you submit your deposit
I took my assessment, but my portal is still showing that I need to take it. What do I do?
The assessments are not linked to the portal. If you are concerned if we received your placement result, you can email placement@dominican.edu
What is ALEKS?
ALEKS is our assessment tool to help us determine the appropriate math course for you. The ALEKS placement assessment covers material from basic math through precalculus. After you complete the assessment, a targeted prep and learning module is available for you to review and learn material and to improve placement and eventual course outcomes.
How does ALEKS work?
ALEKS has two components: Assessments and Learning Modules
Once you have completed your first assessment, you can work in the learning module provided to you. After completing the learning module, you may take another assessment with the possibility of changing your course placement.
You are allowed one ALEKS account and your account comes with 5 assessments
Note: ALEKS accounts are good for one year. The learning module is good for 6 months or until your account expires
I can't log into the ALEKS platform. What do I do?
Once you created your ALEKS account, the link that was sent to you will no longer work. Instead, go to ALEKS.com and use your login name (ALEKS emailed this to you when you created your account) If you need additional assistance email placement@dominican.edu
How do I view my score?
To view your math placement assessment score follow these steps:
In ALEKS, go to the "Placement Assessment Results" section
Click on "Institution's Cut Scores"
If you score below a 30%, we strongly recommend that you work in the learning module and take another assessment
All I have is a Chromebook. How can I take my math placement assessment?
Please email placement@dominican.edu with the day and time that you plan to take your assessment and we will temporarily adjust the settings to allow you to take your assessment via Chromebook.
Are placement assessments proctored?
Prior to the start of classes, placement assessments are not proctored. Once classes start, you must email placement@dominican.edu to schedule an appointment to take your placement assessments. All proctoring is via Zoom.
What if I had accommodations in high school?
If you had accommodations in high school, email placement@dominican.edu Please include a summary of the accommodations you received in high school.