Testing

All testing will be completed in Respondus Lockdown Browser using Respondus Monitor – this means you will be recorded through your webcam and microphone for the duration of the test

The first assessment will be unproctored and will require Respondus Monitor to ensure you do not encounter any technical difficulties with the new platform. An additional 30 minutes has been added to the time limit (for a total of 3hr30min) to accommodate any glitches.

You must complete your unproctored (practice) attempts to “unlock” the official, proctored attempts

o You will have four attempts. The first and third are unproctored while the second and fourth are proctored

o It is highly encouraged to study before retesting to improve your chances for a higher placement!

You will have to wait at least 24 hours between assessments and will need a password for the official, proctored assessments.

When prompted for a proctor password in the box labeled “Proctor Password Required,” you must enter HCC2020.

More instructions and a table to understand your ALEKS PPL score are posted on the Test Center website under the tab “What is ALEKS PPL?” at www.howardcc.edu/placement

If you initially tested in-person at the Test Center you can retest at home. Refer to the “retest” section.

Initial Sign-up Process

Set up your Howard Community College (HCC) login credentials at www.howardcc.edu/passwordservices

To contact and virtually meet with an advisor send an email to the following mailbox:

o For JumpStart Students: Jumpstart@howardcc.edu

o For all other students (including Freshman Focus): advising@howardcc.edu

During your advising session, advisors will provide a link to enroll and take your first unproctored assessment.

Once you click on the link, you will be required to login using their HCC credentials.

First time-testers

Immediately after enrolling, you will be asked to complete the tools tutorial, background questions, and first unproctored assessment.

The first unproctored assessment along with both proctored assessments will require Respondus Monitor. Before launching the exam, Respondus will walk you through the process, which includes student ID verification (holding up the ID to the camera), environment review (panning and tilting the camera over their testing area), microphone checks, and webcam checks.

If you disconnect from an exam, you can simply log back in and resume where you left off. However, the timer will continue to run in the background.

You should continue to use the SSO sign-up link to access your ALEKS PPL account. You can access and test using ALEKS PPL from any device, except Chromebooks.

To retest go to the same link provided by your advisor.

Retest

If you tested at the Test Center, you can retest at home using Respondus Monitor. Sign in at www.aleks.com and use the username and password you created at the Test Center.

You must complete all practice attempts before “unlocking” the final proctored attempt. The last practice attempt has Monitor enabled to allow you to resolve any technical issues with the platform prior to taking their final proctored attempt.

When prompted for a proctor password in the box labeled “Proctor Password Required,” you must enter HCC2020.

Troubleshooting

You are encouraged to troubleshoot account issues with the HCC Help Desk and Respondus Monitor issues directly with Respondus (which maintains a 24-hour help desk).

As you go through the Start Up Sequence, you can reach out to Live Chat at any point by clicking More Information on the Details screen.

For all other questions and concern, email the Test Center staff for assistance at

testcenter@howardcc.edu.

ALEKS PPL Remote Testing - Student Fact Sheet