ALEKS Mathematics Placement Assessment
Students can make an appointment to take a proctored assessment at the NIC Testing Center after applying to NIC and receiving a Student ID # and email login. There is no fee for NIC students to take a proctored placement assessment at the Testing Center. The ALEKS placement assessment is not available in the Testing Center on Fridays. Students who want to take a proctored assessment online must pay a $5 fee to use Respondus Monitor proctoring with ALEKS PPL. This is a one-time fee for all placement attempts. Payment is made during the monitor Startup Sequence and can be made via PayPal or credit card.
Please scroll down this page for the proctor password and instructions to take the virtual proctored placement assessment online.
- Students who have an ALEKS Math Placement account may continue to access their ALEKS PPL account.
- Students who do not have an ALEKS Math Placement account must complete the following initial steps before taking a proctored assessment:
- Use your MyNIC username and password to create your ALEKS PPL account.
- Complete the ALEKS survey and tools tutorial.
- Make an appointment on the Home page OR
- Scroll down to the sentence in RED for directions on taking the Virtual Proctored assessment at home.
How long do I have to access my ALEKS PPL account?
Students have 12 months to access their ALEKS PPL account. The 12 month period begins when a student registers for an ALEKS PPL account.
If you do not use all five proctored placement attempts within 12 months and want to continue using ALEKS for math placement and refreshment, you may request access to a new ALEKS PPL account. The fee for a new account is $20.00 and is paid directly to ALEKS via credit card when you sign up for the new account. Purchase of a new account does not increase the number of placement attempts allowed for math placement at North Idaho College.Please contact the Math Education Center by email at mathedcenter@nic.edu, or phone at (208) 676-7139 to request permission and the instructions to open a new ALEKS PPL account.
When you are ready to take a virtual proctored assessment, read through the following instructions carefully and then complete the steps to start your assessment.
Virtual Proctored Assessment Instructions
Academic Integrity and Virtual Proctoring
When you take a virtual proctored assessment you agree to abide by the following rules to maintain the academic integrity of your assessment.
- No outside assistance is permitted. Outside assistance includes getting help from others and from other materials. Other individuals are not to be in the room while you are taking the assessment.
- The webcam lens must not be covered up or otherwise obscured. The webcam and lockdown browser are how students are proctored so it should show the student's face at all times.
- No outside calculators are permitted. A calculator icon will appear on the screen when it is allowed to be used. Blank paper and a pen/pencil are allowed for students to work out problems.
- No use of cell phones or other electronic devices are permitted including headsets and wireless earpieces.
Getting Started
- Prepare your system
You will need a Windows, Macintosh, or iPad computer that enables you to install software. Your computer will also need a functioning webcam and microphone, since you will be recorded during the assessment. ALEKS will prompt you to download Respondus LockDown Browser when you start the assessment. Note that Chromebooks and smartphones are not supported by LockDown Browser.
If you have any problems with LockDown Browser or the webcam setup, contact the NIC Help Desk by phone at (208) 769-3280 or email at helpdesk@nic.edu, or open a support ticket at www.nic.edu/IT.
- Please read and follow ALL steps. Failure to follow all steps may register a suspicious behavior flag and lead to review of your recording for academic dishonesty.
- Be prepared to show a physical Photo ID.
- Your environment video should show your keyboard and work area and then slowly pan to the left and then slowly pan to the right.
- Avoid wearing sunglasses, baseball caps, or hats that extend beyond the forehead. This makes it difficult to confirm your identity.
- If using a notebook computer, place it on a firm surface like a desk or table, not your lap.
- If the webcam is built into the screen, avoid making screen adjustments after the assessment starts. A common mistake is to push the screen back, resulting in only the top portion of the face being recorded.
- Don’t cover the webcam or move around outside the camera’s video frame during the assessment. Make sure you have blank paper and pencils or pens within arm’s reach.
- Don't lie down on a couch or bed while taking an assessment. There is a greater chance you'll move out of the video frame or change your relative position to the webcam.
- Don't take an exam in a dark room. If the details of your face don't show clearly during the webcam check, the automated video analysis is more likely to flag you as missing.
- Avoid backlighting situations, such as sitting with your back to a window. The general rule is to have light in front of your face, not behind your head.
- Select a distraction-free environment for the exam. Televisions and other people in the room can draw your attention away from the screen. Other people that come into view of the webcam may also trigger flags by the automated system.
- You will have three hours to complete the assessment. You cannot save your place and come back to the test. You may take a short bathroom break if necessary, however the timer on your assessment will continue to run.
- Start the proctored assessment
- Please note that you will need the proctor password CARDINALS1 to begin the assessment.
- Click here to log back into your ALEKS PPL account and select START.
- Enter the proctor password CARDINALS1 and select Submit Password.
- Download the LockDown Browser.
- Select Launch LockDown Browser + Webcam. Lockdown Browser will ask you to close any applications that you still have open.
- Select "I want to use a webcam (Respondus Monitor)" and Continue.
- Respondus LockDown Browser will begin the Startup Sequence for your assessment.
- Your assessment will begin once you complete the Startup Sequence.
If you have questions about taking the virtual proctored placement assessment, please check the Frequently Asked Questions or contact the Math Education Center at mathedcenter@nic.edu.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS)
Technical Information:
What are the system requirements to operate the LockDown Browser besides a webcam and microphone?
Refer to LockDown Browser for ALEKS for information about the system requirements to use ALEKS PPL with the Respondus LockDown Browser.
Do I need to install any software or plug-ins prior to using ALEKS PPL?
You will need to install the Respondus LockDown Browser in order to take a virtual proctored placement assessment. Otherwise, there are no required plug-ins or applets to use ALEKS PPL.
What browser is most compatible with ALEKS and the LockDown Browser?
ALEKS and the Respondus LockDown Browser run on several browsers. Refer to the System Requirements for Windows, Macintosh, and iPad devices for the list of supported browsers.
What should I do if I tried to download the LockDown Browser but it does not load?
Try another browser such as Chrome or Firefox, or clear the cache and cookies and try again. For assistance, contact the IT Help Desk by phone at (208) 769-3280 or email at helpdesk@nic.edu, or open a support ticket at www.nic.edu/IT.
Can I take the virtual proctored math placement assessment if I have a laptop with Windows 10 S Mode?
S Mode only allows you to install apps from the Microsoft Store unless you switch out of S Mode. Read Respondus LockDown Browser Information and Troubleshooting to learn more about switching out of S Mode.
What are my options if I do not have a compatible device to take the virtual proctored math placement assessment?
Please email mathedcenter@nic.edu to request a loaner laptop. The Math Education Center will work with IT to determine if we have an available laptop to loan out. Once a loaner laptop is available and ready, IT will contact the student by their NIC email. Students will need to come to the NIC main campus to pick up the laptop and sign a Loaner Laptop Agreement.
Account Information:
Who do I contact if I am having trouble signing in to my MyNIC account?
Please call the IT Help Desk at (208) 769-3280.
Who do I contact if I am having trouble signing in to my ALEKS account or my account has expired?
Please contact the Math Education Center at mathedcenter@nic.edu or (208) 676-7139.
Taking the Assessment:
Where can I get the proctor password to start the placement assessment?
The password is in the virtual proctored assessment instructions under Step 3 Start the proctored assessment. Please read through the instructions carefully to avoid losing your work and having to retake the assessment.
When does the 3 hour timer on my placement assessment begin?
The timer does not begin until you install the LockDown Browser, complete the LockDown Browser StartUp Sequence, and then select Start to begin the assessment.
What should I do if my web browser gets stuck or my computer crashes while I’m taking the Placement Assessment?
If your computer or internet stops working and then comes back online, try logging back into your ALEKS account and repeat the Startup Sequence. ALEKS will resume the placement assessment exactly where you left off, with no loss of your previous answers.
If you are unable to restart due to a technical issue, email helpdesk@nic.edu, or open a support ticket at www.nic.edu/IT to record the issue and obtain assistance.