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PLACEMENT EXAMS FOR FIRST YEAR COURSE MATCHING
UAA believes it is important to start college on the right track, and First Year Course Matching (Placement) is important to your success! Course Matching helps you and your Student Success Advisor make informed decisions about which classes are best for your first semester.
- Do I have to take any exams?
Yes, most people need to take placement exams to make sure we determine your best writing and math courses. UAA relies on standardized exams as part of the course matching process. It is important for new students to complete their placement exams soon after they are admitted to UAA and before they attend orientation.
- Mathematics and Statistics: Incoming students must complete ALEKS PPL (For a screen reader friendly version of the ALEKS exam, contact Disability Support Services.) unless they meet the following exceptions:
- Students who qualify for nontraditional credit (examples include AP exams, CLEP exams, IB) may not need to take the ALEKS. Visit the UAA Academic Catalog to learn more.
- Students who have mathematics credit from another regionally accredited institution may not need to take the ALEKS. Visit UAA’s Transfer Evaluation System to learn more or talk to your Student Success Advisor.
- Writing: Incoming students will need to take a writing sample or the Accuplacer test unless
they meet the following exceptions:
- Students who have ACT or SAT scores that meet the minimum score requirements for WRTG A110 may not need to take the Accuplacer. See if your ACT or SAT scores qualify and send those scores through the SAT and/or ACT system to UAA.
- Students who qualify for nontraditional credit (examples include AP exams, CLEP exams, IB) may not need to take the Accuplacer. Visit the UAA Academic Catalog to learn more.
- Students who have Writing or English credits from another regionally accredited institution may not need to take the Accuplacer. Visit the UAA’s Transfer Evaluation System to learn more or talk to your Student Success Advisor.
- Mathematics and Statistics: Incoming students must complete ALEKS PPL (For a screen reader friendly version of the ALEKS exam, contact Disability Support Services.) unless they meet the following exceptions:
- How do I take these exams?
ALEKS PPL for Mathematics and Statistics
ALEKS PPL is not just a test. (For a screen reader friendly version of the ALEKS exam, contact Disability Support Services.) It is a learning system that covers materials from Basic Math through Precalculus and will take about 90 minutes to complete. After you take it, a customized study module is available for review so you can take it again and improve each time. Students have the opportunity to re-test up to five times!
This exam is free, can be taken on any computer, and does not need to be scheduled. All students need is their UA login credentials. Visit ELMO to retrieve your UA login information.
- Take the ALEKS (For a screen reader friendly version of the ALEKS exam, contact Disability Support Services.)
- Planning for the ALEKS
- Learn about the scores
Accuplacer for Writing
Accuplacer is UAA’s computerized exam to assess reading comprehension and sentence skills. This exam must be scheduled and can be taken at the University Center. The $22.00 cost is payable by credit or debit card at the time of scheduling the exam date and time.
Schedule the Accuplacer Exam Visit Accuplacer FAQs Learn about the scores
- Advising
Your Student Success Advisor is here to talk with you about placement exams and the course matching process. 907-786-6475 or samoran@alaska.edu. Please provide your student ID#.
TIPS FOR FIRST YEAR SUCCESS
In each stage of your first-year college experience there are many steps to be successful. Below are a few checklists and links
- Before Classes Start
- First Two Weeks of Class
- During the First Semester
- Preparing for the Next Semester
To Do:
- Follow and complete the New Student Checklist.
- Make sure you have your preferred email address confirmed in UAOnline.
- Instructions to forward your UAA email to your preferred email
- Confirm your residency status in UAOnline. Click on the "Student Services & Account Information" tab: Student Records > View Student Information.
- Submit your final high school or any college transcripts to be fully accepted and to receive financial aid. UAA Office of the Registrar 3211 Providence Dr. Anchorage, AK 99508
- Review Dates and Deadlines for the semester.
- Download Navigate when you have registered for classes.
- Authorization to Release Education Record Information
Tips:
- Know where your classes are with the UAA map.
- Check your UAOnline “Financial Aid” tab frequently; you may need to submit additional documentation.
- Visit Financial Aid Office website
- If you are unable to attend your first term, postpone admission up to one year before the postponement deadline.
- Need a refresher on UAOnline or how to use the Schedule Planner? Chat with your Student Success Advisor
- View and Order your Textbooks through the UAA Online Bookstore.
- Sign into Blackboard with your UAOnline username & password. Navigate through Blackboard Learn for Students.
FYI:
- There is a difference between Week One and Week Two of the Add/Drop Period. During Week Two, you must receive instructor approval if you would like to register for (add) a course. If you have questions, please call your Student Success Advisor.
- If you need to drop a course, be sure to drop it before the Friday of Week Two; otherwise, you will be responsible for paying the full cost of the course.
- Part of Term classes follow different drop deadlines. Contact your Student Success Advisor for assistance.
To Do:
- Make sure you are happy with your class schedule by the end of the Week One during the Add/Drop Period.
- Read your syllabi and add assignments/quizzes/exams to your calendar.
- Go to your classes daily.
- Check your email daily.
- Check your UAA account balance in UAOnline.
Tips:
- Drop by your instructors' offices and introduce yourself.
- Check out student organizations and clubs.
- If you need to return a textbook, do so within the first two weeks of class.
- Explore resources on the Navigate app.
- If you are on a class waitlist, set your preferred email address as the @alaska.edu account. Otherwise, you may not recieve a notification to register for the class if you are using a personal account (Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, etc.)
- Do you need to adjust your schedule? Contact your Student Success Advisor for help.
To Do:
- Attend all classes and complete all assignments.
- Keep checking your email for anything you may need to address.
- Check your account balance monthly in UAOnline.
- Pay your bill or set up a payment plan by the payment deadline.
- Update your calendar with assignments/quizzes/exams.
- Schedule your advising appointment through Navigate to plan for next semester and talk about your current classes.
- Complete the next year's FAFSA and UA Scholarship Application between October 1 and February 15.
Tips:
- Communicate with your instructors if 1) you are worried about your academic progress or 2) you are experiencing personal challenges.
- If you would like to withdraw from a course, please talk with your Student Success Advisor beforehand so you are aware of any unforeseen consequences and the effect it may have on your funding.
- Visit the Learning Commons's Writing Center or Math Lab for help with your writing and math courses.
- Know your financial game plan and attend Seawolf Savvy Financial Literacy Workshops.
To Do:
- Are you in the habit of checking your email yet?
- Meet with your Student Success Advisor.
- Address any account holds in UAOnline.
- Register for classes and order textbooks.
- Complete the next year's FAFSA and UA Scholarship Application between October 1 and February 15.
- Review Dates and Deadlines for the next semester.
Tips:
- Ask for help if you need it!
- Pay attention to upcoming registration dates and deadlines.
- Make sure you complete your Title IX Training to take advantage of priority registration.
- Know your financial game plan and attend Seawolf Savvy Financial Literacy Workshops