testing lab

Math and Geometry Placement

The math placement exam is used to measure your mathematical skills to determine your proper course placement. Most math 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.

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.)
    • High school cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher with successful completion of a 4th year high school math class (2 semesters with C or higher) within the past 18 months
  • For Math 1321 only:  
    • Math 0482 with a grade of C or higher*
    • ALEKS placement score of 46 or higher within the past 18 months*
    • ACT math sub score of 24 or higher within the past 30 months*
    • SAT math score of 570 or higher within the past 30 months*
    • High school cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher with successful completion of a 4th year high school math class (2 semesters with C or higher) within the past 18 months

* Students also need ALEKS Geometry score of 50 or higher. Math 1321 students will need to pass, with an 80% or higher, an arithmetic skills assessment as a mastery component of the course.

  • 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 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. Mathematical and quantitative skills are used on a daily basis throughout your personal and professional life. Placement into the right math course saves time and money. View the steps below or download the ALEKS Placement Test to get started.

Steps for ALEKS Accounts Created on or after January 3

  1. Review Math Placement Test Guidelines or video.
  2. 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 studenthelp@dupage.edu.
  3. In the Math Placement Testing section, click “ALEKS PPL Math Placement” to create your one-year account.
  4. Click “Get Started” on your placement assessment. Complete the tutorial.

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.

  1. Review Math Placement Test Guidelines or video and FAQs. 
  2. Results from Test 1,2, 3, and 4 can be used for course placement. Note: Your Test 1 score will be used to create an individualized study plan in the ALEKS Prep and Learning module.
  3. Take your proctored test at one of the six testing locations.
  1. Work in your Prep and Learning (P&L) Module at least 3 hours before each test (Tests 2, 3, 4).
  2. Take the next proctored test at one of the six testing locations.
For help with your ALEKS PPL account, email alekstesting@cod.edu.

Steps for ALEKS Accounts Created before January 3

  1. Review Math Placement Test Guidelines.
  2. Login to inside.cod.edu with your COD username and password. For assistance logging in, contact the Student Help Desk at (630) 942-2999 or studenthelp@dupage.edu
  3. In the Math Placement Test section click "Test 1 or Prep and Learning Module".
  4. Click "Get Started" on your Placement Assessment.
  5. Complete the tutorial and Test 1 at home. Note: Your Test 1 score will be used to recommend an individualized study plan in the ALEKS Prep and Learning module and cannot be used for course placement.

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.

  1. Review Math Placement Test Guidelines and FAQs.
  2. Take a proctored test at one of the six testing locations.

Note: Your Test 2, 3 and 4 scores will be used for course placement. For help with your ALEKS PPL account, email alekstesting@cod.edu.

  1. Work in your Prep and Learning (P&L) Module at least 3 hours before Test 3. Work an additional 5 hours before Test 4.
  2. Take the next proctored test at one of the six testing locations.

Note: Your Test 2, 3 and 4 scores will be used for course placement. For help with your ALEKS PPL account, email alekstesting@cod.edu.

Need Help Choosing a Class

When you finish your test, refer to the score chart for course placement.

To discuss your options, contact Counseling, Advising and Transfer Services at (630) 942-2259.

For more information about math placement, contact Math Assistance by:

Engineering Pathways Applicants

Engineering Pathways applicants are required to take a proctored ALEKS PPL Math Placement test and meet minimum score requirements in order to apply for admission. For more information regarding program requirements, visit Engineering Pathways.

How to Use Your Transitional Math Placement

Students who take the two-semester transitional math course in a College of DuPage Community College District 502 high school can use their second semester grade of A, B or C to enroll directly into select classes.

ALEKS Geometry

Registration for the following math courses require a Geometry Placement test score: 0482, 1321, 1322, 1428 and 1431.

You may not need to take a Geometry Placement test if you have one of the following:

  • A prerequisite math course 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 previous College of DuPage ALEKS Geometry score that meets the minimum score requirements.
  • A qualifying test score or course prerequisite.
  1. Login to inside.cod.edu with your COD username and password. For assistance logging in, contact the Student Help Desk at (630) 942-2999 or studenthelp@dupage.edu
  2. In the Math Placement Test section, click the "Geometry Placement" link to either take your first test (Initial Knowledge Check) or work in Learning your study plan. Note: Your Initial Knowledge Check score will be used to recommend an individualized study plan in ALEKS Geometry and cannot be used for course placement. 
  3. Complete your Initial Knowledge Check or review in your study plan until you feel ready to take a proctored test.
  4. Geometry Review Workshops are also available to  review basic geometric principles in preparation for the Geometry Placement test. 
  1. Review Math Placement Test Guidelines and Geometry FAQs.
  2. Take a proctored test at one of the six testing locations.

Note: Your Comprehensive Knowledge Check scores will be used for course placement. The Comprehensive Knowledge check may be taken up to two times.


Contact Information

Academic and Specialized Testing Center, Glen Ellyn - Main Campus
Berg Instructional Center (BIC), Room 2A06/2A08
(630) 942-2401
Email: testing@cod.edu
Testing Hours and Locations