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Louisiana Tech credit exams are administered in some subject areas for students who believe they have already attained the level of knowledge required in a course. You may only attempt a placement or credit exam once; if you do not pass the first time, you will not be allowed to repeat the exam.

How do I register for a credit exam?

If you would like to register for a credit exam, please keep the following things in mind:

• You can only register during regular registration periods. An exam cannot be administered without proper registration. Permission to take a credit exam is denied if you have previously attempted the course for credit, earned credit in a higher sequence course, or failed to receive approval from the department head responsible for the course.
• Every credit earned by exam has a “E01” section number and is entered on your student registration form or added during the add period. Regular University fees apply.
• Your registration record reflects the credit exam course(s) for which you registered. These courses are not added into the total semester hour load for determining full-time status.
• Exams are given according to the times listed in the schedule of classes (Racing Form) or times assigned by the department head. Exams are normally scheduled during the first three class days of a quarter.
• Successful completion of an exam is recorded on the permanent academic record as “credit by examination” with a grade of “S.” Grades of “S” are not used to compute the GPA.

COES Students who enter Louisiana Tech without a Math ACT or Math SAT score will be required to take the ALEKS PPL.

¹ Students automatically receive credit for Math 101 with this Math ACT/new SAT score if Math ACT/new SAT test date is within the previous 5 years.
² Students will not be given credit for both MATH 1013 and MATH 1002/3.
³ Students will not be given credit for both MATH 1023 and MATH 1032/3.
⁴ Students who place into MATH 1002/3 must take MATH 1123 before moving on to MATH 2403 if MATH 2403 is in their degree pathway.
⁵ Students whose cumulative High School GPA is >= 3.0/4.0 are eligible to register for MATH 1023 (unless the student’s major is in COES).

ALEKS PPL Guidelines and Policies 2025-2026

What is the ALEKS Placement exam and how do I register?

We offer the ALEKS PPL math placement exam to ensure that students begin the study of mathematics at the level for which they are prepared. The ALEKS PPL is an adaptive placement exam supported and provided by McGraw Hill Education. It is a national standard test used to assess students’ knowledge of general mathematics topics and place students into a variety of math courses. Students who wish to take the ALEKS PPL math placement exam can register at aleks.latech.edu. To receive an official score, the placement must be proctored in person at Louisiana Tech University.

When can I take the math placement exam?

Students who register for the ALEKS PPL software can take an initial assessment un-proctored at their leisure to get an idea of where they may place when they come to campus. However, To receive an official placement score, the placement must be proctored in person at Louisiana Tech University. Proctored placement exams are offered during every Student Orientation session in the summer. They are also administered the day prior to the beginning of every quarter. The exam schedule will be listed on the Schedule of Classes (Racing Form) and in the Student Orientation brochure.

Can I prepare for the exam?

Students who register for the ALEKS PPL software can take an initial assessment un-proctored at their leisure to get an idea of where they may place when they come to campus.  Before assessing the second time, students will spend a minimum of eight hours in the prep and learning modules. Each student will be required to spend a minimum of five hours before placement attempts three and four each.  ALEKS is designed to help students learn and retain mathematics.  Therefore, reassessment should only take place after sufficient time is spent learning and practicing.  A student should not expect to see improvement without spending time in the prep and learning modules.

Cool Off Period: Each student will be required to wait a minimum of 48 hours between assessments.  This period allows students time to work through the Prep and Learning Modules to enhance the student’s understanding of the content being assessed.

Required Time Practicing: Each student will be required to spend a minimum of eight hours in the prep and learning module section before reassessing for the second placement and five hours before placement attempts three and four each.  ALEKS is designed to help students learn and retain mathematics.  Therefore, reassessment should only take place after sufficient time is spent learning and practicing.  A student should not expect to see improvement without spending time in the prep and learning modules.

Testing Procedures: Students typically finish the assessment in 65 minutes or less.  There will be a two-hour limit for taking each placement assessment.  You will be provided with scratch paper to work out any problems.  YOU WILL NEED TO BRING YOUR FULLY CHARGED LAPTOP WITH YOU.  IF YOU DO NOT BRING YOUR LAPTOP, YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO TEST.

Calculator Policy:  ALEKS PPL will provide students with a virtual calculator if a calculator is allowed for the problem given.  No physical calculators should be present when testing.

Fees:  Each student will need to pay a $25 fee (+ processing fees and tax) to access the ALEKS PPL software.  This fee covers year long access to ALEKS Prep and Learning Modules.  This fee does not go to Louisiana Tech University.

Number of Placements:  There will be the opportunity for new incoming students to take the assessment up to four times before beginning coursework in mathematics.  Each summer orientation session will provide a testing time as well as the day before classes start for each quarter.

*Students who have started or completed mathematics coursework at Louisiana Tech are not allowed to test unless approved by the mathematics and statistics program.

FRESHNESS OF SCORE: Scores are required to be fresh, which means a score must be from within 183 days (half of a year) of the first day of class for the quarter a particular MATH or STAT course is to be taken.  For the Upcoming Academic Year, please refer to the chart below.

Advanced Placement can be earned by taking AP courses in high school and completing the course exam to earn college credit. To get college credit, make sure your scores are sent to Louisiana Tech. Look at the table below to determine which classes you can receive college credit for.

* Either Math 112 or 240, depending on the major. 240 credit is for Engineering and Science majors.

Louisiana Tech University recognizes the academic rigor inherent in the International Baccalaureate Program and is pleased to award advanced standing credit to students with IB transcripts as follows:

* A student may only be awarded credit for either Music General 290 or Speech Theatre 290, not both.

Louisiana Tech University requires that official IB transcripts be submitted directly to: Admissions, Louisiana Tech University, P.O. Box 3178, Ruston, LA 71272. Students can request transcripts through their high school International Baccalaureate coordinator for the first year after high school graduation. Transcripts can also be requested from the International Baccalaureate Program, North America, 475 Riverside Drive, Suite 1600, New York, NY 10115, USA, 212.696.4464. Website: www.ibo.org. You will need your seven digit IB candidate code. (In case you are asked, Louisiana Tech’s institution number is 01758.)

Credit will be recorded on Louisiana Tech’s official transcript with a grade of “S” (Satisfactory). Grades of “S” are not used to compute the grade point average. Students may earn up to 30 semester credit hours through the IB program. Credit by all types of examinations collectively may not exceed 60 semester hours (i.e. Advanced Placement, CLEP, Louisiana Tech Credit Examinations, Credit by Military Experience, DANTES, etc.)