Course placement helps ensure you can be successful in your courses. To determine your course placement, we'll first see if we're able to place you without a test. If we can't, or if you'd like to see if you can place higher by taking the tests, you'll then take two placement tests.
If you haven't completed your application yet, apply using the Steps to Enroll. In order to be placed for your courses, you'll need to know your L Number.
Step 1: Gather your information
Before we begin, see if you have any of the following:
- High School GPA
(approximate) - Last completed high school math course
(C- or better; Pre-Calculus, Last 2 years; Calculus I or II, Last 5 years). - GED [GED scores]
Scores in Reasoning through Language Arts (RLA; Last 5 years) or Math (Last 2 years). - Smarter Balanced [If you don't remember your score (or level), please contact your high school]
English Language Arts (Last 5 years) or Math score (Last 2 years). - SAT [SAT scores]
Scores in Reading & Writing (Last 5 years) or Math (Last 2 years). - ACT Math [ACT scores]
Scores from the last 2 years. - Advanced Placement [AP Exam scores]
Scores from in any of English & Composition (Last 5 years), AP Statistics (Last 2 years), AP Calculus AB (Last 5 years), or AP Calculus BC (Last 5 years). - International Baccalaureate [IB Exam scores]
Scores in English A Literature (Standard or High; Last 5 years), English A Literature & Language (Standard or High; Last 5 years), Math Studies (Standard; Last 2 years), Mathematics (Standard or High; Last 2 years), or Further Mathematics (High; Last 5 years). - Transcripts
(Unofficial is fine, including CollegeNow!)
Step 2: Complete the placement survey
This will take about five minutes. Afterward, you'll receive an email with your responses and whether you earned a placement or not.
We should be contacting you within the next business day to confirm your placement, answer any questions, and provide information on next steps/testing options. If you would like assistance completing this survey, please contact Alexis Kielb at KielbA@lanecc.edu
Step 3: Determine if you want or need to take a placement test
If you don't receive a placement in math, you'll likely need to take a placement test. If you placed below MTH251 (Calculus I), you can also choose to take a placement test in order to place higher. If you placed into WR115 and wish to attempt to try for WR121, you also may require testing. Taking a placement test cannot negatively impact your placement: the highest placement stands.
If you are satisfied with you placement on the survey, please return to the Steps to Enroll and continue to the next step.
If you need or want to take a placement test:
Before taking a placement test, it's very important to prepare to earn a more accurate placement.
Note: Only used to challenge a WR115 placement
ALEKS Math Placement is open-response (not multiple-choice), so you'll benefit greatly from preparing beforehand
After you create your ALEKS Account (log in with L# and myLane Password), take the unproctored Placement. Afterward, ALEKS will recommend a Prep and Learning Module. After completing the first test, you must spend spend at least three hours in Prep and Learning before your next test will be unlocked.
Note: Researchers have found that 40% of students will improve their placement by at least one level with just two hours of work in a Prep and Learning Module
Taking the Placement Test(s)
Both In-person and Virtual Testing are available for the Accuplacer Reading Placement (attempting to place into WR121). The math placement can be completed virtually from home. Contact us at testingoffice@lanecc.edu for the link to take your math test or if you have any questions.
Please complete the placement survey before attempting Virtual Testing
Schedule Virtual Proctoring for Accuplacer Reading
Schedule your In-person test by emailing testingoffice@lanecc.edu
Interpreting your Results
Accuplacer Reading scores are used to determine whether you qualify for WR121
Writing Placement Score Matrix
Note: Accuplacer Classic and Next-Generation Reading and Writing were previously used for placement, those scores still apply for placement
The ALEKS score is used to determine your starting level for college math. Every score on ALEKS results in a placement
There are different math course pathways for different programs, you will want to talk to an advisor. Here is a map of the Math Pathways:
If you want to retest:
If you aren't happy with your scores, there are retest options on all placement tests.
For Accuplacer Reading, you are allowed two attempts every three month period from the day you take your test.
ALEKS PPL allows up to four attempts total in a one year period (an unproctored practice test counts as an attempt). Once you have taken your first test, you can quickly access Prep and Learning for ALEKS to review if needed. You will need to spend a minimum of 3 hours in the Prep and Learning module of your choice, before your second test unlocks.
To retest, please review the preparing for placement testing section above