What is ALEKS?

ALEKS is a pioneering, powerful, adaptive, A.I. web tutor available at a fraction of the cost of a human tutor. It was developed over three decades by teams of UC Irvine cognitive scientists, chemists, software engineers, and mathematicians. ALEKS is currently used by major U.S. colleges, universities, and community colleges to improve student experiences and overall performance in general chemistry.

What is ALEKS?

ALEKS is a pioneering, powerful, adaptive, A.I. web tutor available at a fraction of the cost of a human tutor. It was developed over three decades by teams of UC Irvine cognitive scientists, chemists, software engineers, and mathematicians. ALEKS is currently used by major U.S. colleges, universities, and community colleges to improve student experiences and overall performance in general chemistry.

What is ALEKS?

ALEKS is a pioneering, powerful, adaptive, A.I. web tutor available at a fraction of the cost of a human tutor. It was developed over three decades by teams of UC Irvine cognitive scientists, chemists, software engineers, and mathematicians. ALEKS is currently used by major U.S. colleges, universities, and community colleges to improve student experiences and overall performance in general chemistry.

What is ALEKS?

ALEKS is a pioneering, powerful, adaptive, A.I. web tutor available at a fraction of the cost of a human tutor. It was developed over three decades by teams of UC Irvine cognitive scientists, chemists, software engineers, and mathematicians. ALEKS is currently used by major U.S. colleges, universities, and community colleges to improve student experiences and overall performance in general chemistry.

ALEKS Individualized Assessment

The task of the ALEKS engine is to uncover, by efficient questioning, the knowledge state of a student. The first task for every student after registering is to complete a 20-30 question assessment pinpointing a student’s knowledge state.


View an interactive demo

ALEKS Won’t Let You Forget

Students periodically complete ALEKS progress assessments, called Knowledge Checks – 25 question, AI-driven assessments that focus on topics the students have previously mastered. Results of Knowledge Checks are employed by ALEKS to adjust the system’s detailed map of the student’s knowledge. In other words, if a student does not retain 100% of material they already learned, ALEKS will remove that topic from the student’s pie and have them relearn the topic.

Using ALEKS Learning Rates to Assess At-Risk Students

Automated reporting tools show detailed data on individual student and class level progress, including the exact problems each student worked on and their answers. Learn how an ALEKS Chemistry user may identify at-risk students and understand their current knowledge state.

Learn How Your Colleagues Use ALEKS

Student Progress Report – See your students’ knowledge growth between each ALEKS Knowledge Check and explore the rate at which they are learning topics. You can get a feel for the time spent vs. overall mastery to gauge which students are getting ahead and which ones are falling behind.

Instructor Quotes


"I have loved using ALEKS. I's an excellent system, and once set up, very easy to use. I can identify struggling students from week one and work on targeting them for one-on-one help. I would never go back to a different system."

Tony St John – Skagit Valley College


"ALEKS is a must use for General Chemistry I and is an excellent way to accomplish online placement."

– Claire Cohen-Fray – University of Toledo


"I have a student who is going to take a final exam this Thursday. It is remarkable that she could finish the whole course in just under 7 weeks of a regular 16 week semester while taking 16 credit hours. She has Aced all her exams and assignments. I am so grateful to your technology that allows me to offer students a path to go as fast (or slow) as they desire/need. I think that is truly revolutionary."

– Vally D'Souza – University of Missouri – Saint Louis

Case Studies

Skagit Valley College

Student Quotes


"The McGraw-Hill ALEKS system has improved my chemistry skills more than I ever thought possible. It allows for simple and clear explanation of difficult subjects, and makes sure you genuinely understand the subject material you are learning. Along with being one of the best aids in practice problems, it is also one of the least complicated online learning systems today with its easy to use and adaptable technology. My best study success tip for students is to practice! McGraw-Hill products are amazing in this area- day or night, there is always time to get better."

– Sydney – University of Arkansas at Fayetteville


"The ALEKS program has not only assisted me in my own academic endeavors, but my peers' and students' as well. I have used ALEKS starting from day one in college, and it has greatly enhanced my understanding of chemistry. My peers have a love-hate relationship with the program because it is tough, but with all things in life, the toughness is what makes it worthwhile."

Audrey – Loras College


"I was first exposed to ALEKS in the summer leading up to my freshman year of high school. It was a great tool to have exposure to prior to college beginning, and formed a comfortable transition into school. Through the interactive learning capability of ALEKS, I learned very quickly what I knew and what I didn't know. Not only was it made more aware of what I needed to work on, but also how to improve my skills within both specific categories and general subjects."

Ariel – Loras College