Course Placement and Testing


Course placement in writing and math will help you start in classes that fit you best as you start your UAA experience.

Not all certificate-seeking students are required to take course placement. Please reach out to your program Academic Advisor to see if your certificate applies.

Writing Placement

UAA Writing Sample

We highly recommend that you complete a UAA Writing Sample, as it will most accurately place you in the correct courses at UAA.

Complete Your Writing Sample

Other Options

Standardized Test Scores

You may submit standardized writing test scores (ACT, SAT) to receive placement via Collegeboard. Or you may take the Accuplacer, a computerized test of your reading comprehension and writing skills.

Nontraditional Credit

You may submit non-traditional credit (AP, CLEP) scores to receive placement. See the National Exams and Nontraditional Credit information provided by the Office of the Registrar for more information and qualifying scores.

Traditional Credit

You may transfer completed college credits in writing courses from another university or college to receive placement. See the Transfer Student page to learn more and find instructions for submitting official transcripts to UAA.

Math Placement

ALEKS PPL Exam

We highly recommend that you take the ALEKS PPL Exam, as it will most accurately place you in the correct courses at UAA. You may submit an ALEKS PPL score in math that is less than one year old to receive placement. See the Course Placement page in the catalog for more information and qualifying scores.

  • If you are not satisfied with your course placement, you may complete the ALEKS PPL up to five times a year.
  • If your score is 12 months or older, you must retake the ALEKS PPL.

Take the ALEKS PPL Exam

Other Options

Nontraditional Credit

You may submit non-traditional credit (AP, CLEP) scores to receive placement. See the Nontraditional Credit Policies page in the catalog for more information and qualifying scores.

Traditional Credit

You may transfer completed college credits in math courses from another university or college to receive placement. See the Transfer Student page to learn more and find instructions for submitting official transcripts to UAA.

Check box with check mark in itCompleted your course placement?

Your writing sample placement results will be emailed to your preferred email account, which you can update in UAOnline. Your ALEKS and/or Accuplacer results can also be found on UAOnline.

UAOnline

UAOnline is your portal to your student account, course registration and much more.

  • How To Access UAOnline for the First Time

    Access UAOnline the First Time

    To access your UAOnline account for the first time:

    1. Visit ELMO
    2. Choose Option 3 to find your username and ID number.
    3. Enter your birth date, last name and the last four digits of your Social Security Number.
    4. Click “Go ELMO!”
    5. Provide at least five pieces of information from the provided options. Then click “Confirm.”
    6. Choose your desired level of account security and establish three security questions. Click “OK.”
    7. Your username and ID number will be displayed on the left side of the page.
    8. Set your password on the right side of the page.
    9. Wait at least 15 minutes before logging into UAOnline.
      If you’re having trouble setting up or accessing your UAOnline account, contact IT Services at 907-786-4646.