This website provides Placement Assessment Instruction to YSU International Student applicants who have been approved to complete placement testing. Please check your YSU email for instructions regarding which of the assessments are required based upon our evaluation of your student records.
Testing Remotely is a privilege that we extend only to international students living outside of the continental United States. If you are a currently enrolled student at YSU, you may not test remotely. All domestic students are required to test on-site at YSU or with an approved proctor at an approved test location. If you
Testing remotely is a privilege, and as a result, we have a zero-tolerance policy for cheating and/or plagiarism on these assessments. Evidence of dishonesty will invalidate your test score and subject you to referral to Student Conduct. See Section D, Article III for YSU's policy on Academic Honesty and our expectations for all students.
Students suspected of using outside resources, such as cell phones, smart watches, headphones, earbuds, notes, secondary computers, friends, family, etc., while taking assessments will not be permitted to retest or register for Fall courses until they arrive at Youngstown State University and test in the YSU Testing Center.
- Math Placement Assessment Instructions
Math Placement for International Students
What is the purpose of the Math Placement Assessment?
The purpose of the Math Placement Assessment is to accurately evaluate your math skills so that you take the math course for which you are best prepared.
Who needs to take the Math Placement Assessment?
- Students who have not submitted an official copy of their SAT Math Subject score are required to take the math placement assessment.
- Students who have submitted an official SAT Math Subject score below 630 are required to take the Math Placement Assessment.
How will my math skills be assessed?
YSU uses a placement assessment called ALEKS PPL. The ALEKS PPL Placement Assessment covers material from Basic Math through Pre-calculus and will take approximately 90 minutes to complete.
Can I register for courses without taking the Math Placement Assessment?
Students who are required to take the Math Placement Assessment and who are pursuing a math-intensive major listed below will not be allowed to register for classes until they have taken the assessment.
Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Computer Science, Environmental Science, Forensic Science, Geology, Information Technology, Mathematics, Physics, Physics and Astronomy
Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Civil and Construction Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Electrical Engineering Technology, Mechanical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering Technology, First Year Engineering, STEM First Year Engineering, STEM Engineering, STEM Natural Science, STEM Physical Science, STEM Technology, STEM Math, Undetermined STEM Exercise Science, Medical Lab Science Integrated Math Education, Integrated Science Education, Middle Childhood Math and Language Arts, Middle Childhood Math and Science, Middle Childhood Math and Social Studies
Can I use a calculator?
For some questions, ALEKS will provide an on-screen calculator. Otherwise, you may not use a personal calculator.
When will I get my assessment results?
Your results will be available immediately after you complete the assessment.
Can I retake the Math Placement Assessment?
Yes, you may take the assessment up to three times. Depending on your score and your major, an academic advisor may contact you to discuss retaking the assessment.
How do I take the Math Placement Assessment?
To accommodate your distance from YSU, International students and other students living abroad may take the Math Placement Assessment remotely. The assessment requires the use of a Windows computer, MAC, or Chromebook with a working camera and microphone.
To test remotely, You are required to agree to the following rules:
- You are permitted to use blank paper and pencil or pen.
- You must turn off and put away your cell phone(s).
- You may not use headphones, smartwatches, second computers, IPADS, or any other device to access information or answers.
- You may not use a personal calculator.
- You are not allowed to use notes, textbooks, or any other resource.
- No outside assistance is allowed. No one may be present while you complete the assessment.
- You must download and use the Respondus Lockdown Browser during the Aleks math assessment.
- Upon completing the assessment, you must scan or take a photo of your scratch paper and email it to testing@ysu.edu.
To launch the assessment:
- Download the Respondus Lockdown Browser The lockdown browser prevents digital cheating during online tests. You cannot print, copy, or go to another website until the assessment is submitted. The Respondus Monitor will record your activity during the assessment and will detect if you are wearing headphones if you are receiving any assistance from another person, if you are looking using a second computer, phone, or other device, if you are using notes or a textbook, or if you are using a calculator.
- NOTE: To test, you must have a camera and microphone on your computer.
- Have photo identification with you.
- Clear your desk of everything but blank paper and pencil.
- Exit and close all applications running on your device.
- Launch a browser and log into the YSU Penguin Portal.
- Under “e-Services for Students” click on “ALEKS Math Placement Test.”
- When you reach the page shown here, click “ADD CLASS” and type: RWPGV-ERKXU
- You are adding "YSU International Cohort 2024". All of your work will be done in the "YSU International Cohort."
- Complete the survey.
- Complete the Tools Tutorial. Click “Get Started.”
- Select “Launch Lockdown Browser and Webcam.”
- The Lockdown Browser will launch in a new window.
- Complete the verification process to use the webcam and microphone.
- You will need your photo identification for this step. PAN your desk SLOWLY.
- If you encounter a problem accessing the assessment, log out and then log in again, and relaunch the assessment.
- Scan or take a photo of your scratch paper and email it to testing@ysu.edu.
For more assistance, watch this instructional video before beginning the Aleks assessment.
Remember, this is not a pass/fail assessment. It is a diagnostic that will help us determine the most accurate mathematics course for the topic knowledge you demonstrate on this assessment. You ARE permitted to retest after a period of study in the Aleks Prep and Learn modules. Students scoring less than "30" on the Aleks assessment may be required to retest. Please email testing@ysu.edu for retest information.