Testing Center at Montana Tech

Placement Assessments

Montana Tech and Highlands College use the following methods to place students in the appropriate math and/or writing course: ACT, SAT, or AP/IB score, transfer credit from another college or university, and/or scores from an accepted placement test (e.g., ALEKS PPL, College Success). Our goal in making placement decisions is to enroll students in the course that they have the best chance of successfully completing while working toward their degree.

If you don't know whether you need to take a placement assessment, ask your admissions counselor or see our assessment score chart.

View assessment score chart.

Choose Your Exam

ALEKS PPL Math

Any student may take ALEKS, but placement into M151 (Precalculus) or M171 (Calculus) requires it.
Students have up to 2.5 hours to complete the assessment. Afterward, they can work in skill-tailored math modules and re-test.

Register for ALEKS (online).

College Success Math

Students seeking placement into entry-level college math courses can take either College Success Math or ALEKS PPL. The assessment includes 30 questions with a 60-minute time limit. It must be completed in person.

Register for CS Math.

College Success Writing

College Success Writing determines your initial writing placement through one session. You'll write an essay based on a randomly provided prompt, expected to take approximately 90 minutes. This assessment must be completed in person.

Register for CS Writing.