FTP Placement Testing

Required Math Placement Test

To confirm your admission to Towson University’s Freshman Transition Program and to determine your math placement, you are required to take the ALEKS Practice Placement, Preparation and Learning Assessment. You need to place into Introductory Algebra (CCBC’s MATH 082) or higher to join the FTP. 

Placement testing is complete for the Fall 2024 semester; we are unable to offer additional math placement exam dates this year. Placement testing must be completed on-site at Towson University and begins in early March for admitted FTP students. 

Disability Accommodations

ALEKS is not a timed test. You may take as long as you need to answer the questions. Our testing space will be as free of distraction as possible. If you need other testing accommodations, please contact Ann Gamble at agamble@ccbcmd.edu right away. Some accommodations, such as handheld calculator use or other assistive technology, can only be approved and implemented through the university's Accessibility and Disability Services Office and will require you to complete proctored testing with them. You will still need to complete the same preparatory steps to take the proctored test. If you test without accommodations, it will count as an official attempt, although you will still have the opportunity to retest. 

Follow these steps to complete placement testing:

1

Register for FTP Placement Testing

Placement testing is now closed for 2024.

2

Create your ALEKS User Account

• Access ALEKS
• Select New Student Sign Up. Enter the course code provided in your placement testing confirmation email. If you do not have the code, email Ann Gamble, agamble@ccbcmd.edu.
• Confirm that your placement cohort is Towson University Freshman Transition Program FY 2024.
• If you already have an ALEKS login and password, you can use it. If you do not have an ALEKS login, set up an account.
• You will receive a confirmation email with your ALEKS login name and password.(You will use this login name and password for the unproctored test.)
• Complete the ALEKS Placement, Preparation and Learning First Time Use Experience.

3

Take the Unproctored Practice Placement 

• Take Placement Assessment #1, at home. This score does not count but will be used to customize your Prep and Learning Module to prepare for the actual test.
• Select Get Started. Review the introduction and tips on how to take the practice assessment. You may not use a calculator unless one appears on the screen.
• Select Start Now. After completing the Practice Assessment, you will see your results. 
• After reviewing your results, you will learn how to work in the Prep and Learning Module to practice topics and improve your knowledge.

4

Complete 3 Hours of Review and Practice 

• Complete at least 3 hours of review and practice in your personalized Prep and Learning Module before your scheduled Proctored Placement Assessment at TU.
• Note: Failure to complete this module will result in you having to reschedule your official Placement Assessment.

5

Take the Proctored Placement Assessment at Towson University

• All first-time proctored placement testing attempts must be completed at Towson University in accordance with the steps above by April 19, 2024.

6

Review Your Checklist

• Check your TU Admissions Portal for missing checklist items and to submit your participant agreement to join the FTP.

About ALEKS Math Assessment

The ALEKS Math Assessment ensures students' readiness for certain math courses for CCBC. Since these courses are demanding, it is important for you to start with a firm foundation in your understanding. The assessment is designed to identify the best mathematics course for you to start in, given the mathematics requirements of your intended major. 

Math Placement Test Exemptions

If you received credit from another college or university for a college-level math course and earned a final grade of C or better, you should send a copy of your unofficial transcript for review to Ann Gamble, agamble@ccbcmd.edu, no later than April 1.

You will not have to take the placement test unless you need a higher level math for your intended major at TU. In-progress coursework does not qualify for an exception but may be used to override your placement to a higher math course, depending on your final grade. In most cases, it is generally better to test.

Honest Work Matters

There is no benefit to inflating or deflating your abilities on the ALEKS math assessment. ALEKS scores will not change your admission offer from Towson University. The ONLY way your ALEKS score is used is to determine math courses that match your incoming knowledge level. Dishonest work on this assessment causes many problems, including placement into a course that is not appropriate for your current level of knowledge. Incorrect placement can impact your ability to transition and negatively affect your GPA.

Cheating is a violation of both CCBC and Towson University academic policies and principles. If cheating is suspected, your FTP admission offer may be revoked by Towson University. If you are permitted to continue with the admission process, you will be required to have a consultation, and possibly complete a proctored assessment with the CCBC Math Department. 

What to Expect

• Plan to complete the assessment in a single one- to two-hour sitting.
• You will answer up to 30 questions. There are no multiple choice questions.
• Before you take the assessment, ALEKS will present a short tutorial on how to enter answers, how to use the graphing utilities, and how to use the built-in calculator. Take your time with this tutorial. You will not be permitted to use your own calculator. 

Optional Retesting

All students who place into developmental (non-college-level) math have the opportunity to return for a retest, where the higher score from the two proctored attempts will be honored for your official placement. If you decide to retest, you will need to complete an additional 5 hours of review in the ALEKS Prep and Learning Module before returning for a retest. Retesting will require you to sign up for a session in advance. Retest dates will be posted by late April and will take place in May. Developmental coursework does not carry transferrable credit and is not included in your GPA but will meet pre-requisites for higher-level courses at the university. Developmental courses typically count for three billable hours and count towards your required full-time enrollment in the program. 

Technology Requirements

Please review the ALEKS support site for a list of preferred browsers.

More Information

See frequently asked questions about FTP placement testing. If you have additional questions, please contact Ann Gamble, CCBC Director of Transfer and Degree Acceleration, at agamble@ccbcmd.edu.