Math and Geometry Placement
The math and geometry placement exams are used to measure your mathematical skills to determine your proper course placement. Most math and geometry courses at COD have a prerequisite. These prerequisites may be met using prior coursework at COD or another college or a qualifying score on the ALEKS Math Placement Test.
Before taking your placement test, new students must apply for admission and obtain a COD ID number, username and password. A photo ID, COD ID number and COD username/password are required to begin the test.
Testing is available at the main campus Glen Ellyn Testing Center; at the Learning Commons in the Addison, Naperville, Carol Stream or Westmont Center; or in the Virtual Testing Center.
Students can meet math placement requirements using any of the following:
- A prerequisite college math course, at College of DuPage or another institution, with a grade of C or higher. For math classes taken at another institution, transcripts must be submitted and evaluated by the Office of Student Records.
- A proctored ALEKS PPL score from COD or another institution. Scores for tests taken prior to January 1, 2022 are valid for 12 months. Scores for tests taken January 1, 2022 or later are valid for 18 months. Test scores from other institutions can be submitted through a student's ALEKS PPL account or a Placement Assessment Report can be sent to alekstesting@cod.edu from the other institution's testing center.
- For Math 1218 or 1220 only:
- An ACT math score of 22 or a SAT math score of 530 (Scores must be less than 30 months old.) Proof of score must be provided. Send to * Students also need ALEKS Geometry score of 50 or higher.
- An A, B, or C grade from an Illinois high school senior year Transitional Math course completed in the last 18 months may allow placement into some math courses. If a TM code is included in the high school transcript, it can be sent to HStranscript@cod.edu.
- A COD ALEKS PPL math placement test
ALEKS PPL Math Placement Test
ALEKS Placement, Preparation, and Learning (PPL) is a placement tool. The score from Test 1 creates an individualized study plan for review prior to future test attempts. All questions on the ALEKS test are free response (no multiple choice).
ALEKS PPL is used at College of DuPage to assess your current math skills, create a personalized learning path to help refresh and improve your math knowledge and place you into an appropriate math course based on your best proctored assessment.
Math Placement Test Procedures
Step One: Get Started with ALEKS PPL
- Review Math Placement Test Guidelines or video.
- Log in to inside.cod.edu with your COD username and password. For assistance logging in, contact the Student Help Desk at (630) 942-2999 or Math Placement Test Information Sessions are also available to help you learn how to sign up for and navigate the ALEKS Placement, Preparation, and Learning module.
