Precalculus Proficiency Assessment

About the PPA

The Precalculus Proficiency Assessment (PPA), formerly known as the Calculus Placement Exam (CPE), is one way that students may show readiness for advanced mathematics courses. SJSU's PPA is conducted through ALEKS PPL, an adaptive online program to map student's abilities through assessments and knowledge checks.

ALEKS PPL test cycles begin in early March (for summer/fall) and early October (for winter/spring), to be completed in time for enrollment. They close shortly after the deadline to add classes each semester.

There is preliminary work which must be completed on your own in advance before you test. Plan ahead so that you have time to complete the test at least a week ahead of any deadlines.

Who Needs the PPA / Instructions

Depending on your major course of study (more info here), some students must take the PPA if there are no other qualifying scores or coursework in your record.  You may opt to take the PPA even if you are waiting on other transcripts and/or test scores to arrive, to ensure that you will be able to enroll in classes. If you plan to take Pre-Calculus before Calculus, you do not need to take the PPA. Consult your admissions advisor for more information. 

• Accessing the PPA

  • A link to the program you will use to prepare for the PPA (ALEKS) is located in your MySJSU account under "Other Items".  Follow the instructions in this video to obtain your ALEKS license and to take the diagnostic test:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCtSb790y8M You may need a "class code".  If so, email the Testing Office for assistance:  testing-office@sjsu.edu

• Preparing and Scheduling the PPA

  • To start preparing for the PPA:

    E-mail the Testing Office. Include your name, SJSU ID, major, and year in college in your first correspondence.  You will be provided with directions on how to study for the PPA and how to schedule an in-person proctored assessment.

    To schedule your proctored assessment:

    After 3-5 hours of work in ALEKS, email our office again and schedule an appointment. We are proctoring PPA exams Monday through Friday from 9 am to 2 pm.

Special Circumstances

• I usually test with accommodations.

  • If you receive disability-related accommodations, you must e-mail the SJSU Accessible Education Center (AEC) to arrange accommodations at least one month prior to testing.

• I need to request religious accommodations.

  • If you receive religious accommodations, you must e-mail the SJSU Testing Office to arrange accommodations at least two weeks prior to testing. We can arrange a suitable appointment date/time.

• I do not live close to campus. Is there a remote proctoring option?

  • We are no longer offering the option to take the exam remotely and apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

    International students will need to test in-person after arriving at SJSU. We strongly encourage all international students to plan your travel arrangements so that you arrive early, so that there is enough time to take your test and for scores to be posted.

• Can I retake the PPA?

  • One retake is allowed. The higher of the two scores will be used to determine placement.

    Additional practice time in the Prep and Learning Modules is required after the first proctored attempt (at least 3 hours) before you can retake the test.

    All retakes must be done in-person at the Testing Office. A $20 proctoring fee applies to all retakes.

• I started the PPA last semester, but did not complete it.

  • Incomplete work does not carry over between test cycles. If you did not complete the PPA previously, you will need to start over again with the current test cohort and pay a $20 registration fee for an ALEKS account.  Email testing-office@sjsu.edu for more information.

• I completed the PPA last semester, but did not enroll in a math class.

  • As long as an official, proctored PPA score is entered into the system, it will remain in your record. You will not need to retake the PPA unless you need a higher score.