ALEKS Math study guide
ALEKS Math · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
ALEKS is not a single certification exam but a family of adaptive, online learning and assessment products from McGraw Hill, used in K-12, higher education, and independent study. Its course products cover Math, Chemistry, Statistics, Accounting, and more, and it is also used for course placement. The platform begins each course by determining a student's baseline knowledge, then builds an individual, dynamic learning path in which students learn and master topics one concept at a time. Instructors can layer on their own assignments: homework, quizzes, and tests built from algorithmic questions that change from attempt to attempt. Because the system is adaptive, the sequence and difficulty of what you see depend on your demonstrated knowledge rather than a fixed syllabus. ALEKS reports that it has helped over 50 million students and that students achieve mastery more than 90% of the time. Topics on this exam: Math and Chemistry. The ALEKS Math study guide has 2 sections and about 619 words.
01ALEKS Math: Core Skills and Test-Wise Strategies
The ALEKS math assessment is adaptive: each item is chosen based on your prior responses, so early accuracy shapes the whole session. The content spans pre-algebra through intermediate algebra, geometry, and some precalculus. Prioritize the recurring concept families: fraction and decimal arithmetic, order of operations, ratios and proportions, percent change, linear equations and inequalities, systems of equations, exponent and radical rules, polynomial factoring, quadratic equations, coordinate geometry (slope, distance, midpoint), and basic function notation. Also expect word problems involving rates, mixtures, and unit conversion.
312 words, about 2 min02Chemistry: Stoichiometry, Solutions, and Periodic Trends
Chemistry questions on this exam emphasize quantitative reasoning grounded in a few core models. Master the mole concept: Avogadro's number, molar mass from the periodic table, and the bridge between grams, moles, and particles. Stoichiometry depends on balanced equations and mole ratios; limiting-reactant problems require comparing the moles of each reactant divided by its coefficient. Solution chemistry involves molarity (moles solute per liter solution), dilution (M1V1 = M2V2), and percent composition by mass.
307 words, about 2 minMore study resources for ALEKS Math
- Practice questionsSimplify the expression 3(2x − 4) + 5x.
- FlashcardsSlope formula. The slope of a line through points (x1,y1) and (x2,y2) is (y2 - y1)/(x2 - x1).
- Cheat sheetSlope between two points: m = (y2 - y1)/(x2 - x1); horizontal line m = 0, vertical line m is undefined.
- Key termsVariable. A letter or symbol that stands for a number whose value is not fixed, allowing a rule or relationship to be written in general form.
- Study planDiagnose baseline by completing a timed mixed math set and logging error types.
- Common mistakesThe candidate reaches for a calculator habit and treats the answer box as a decimal field, forgetting that exact rational answers are expected and accepted.
- Exam-day guideBring a current, government-issued photo ID; confirm with the provider which specific ID forms are accepted and whether the name must match your registration exactly.