The purpose of the Learning Mode is to assist students in mastering mathematical and statistical concepts. Students using ALEKS choose which concepts they wish to work on in the Learning Mode from the list of concepts the system has determined they are most prepared to learn. This happens either as the result of an assessment or through the continuous update of assessment results that is performed by the Learning Mode. Students in the Learning Mode work on those concepts they are best prepared to learn, so that the benefit of their work is maximized.

In the Learning Mode students always work on one concept at a time. The Learning Mode provides them with a rich array of resources to help in mastering the concept. This includes explanations, references to a McGraw-Hill/Irwin textbook if one is being used in conjunction with ALEKS, links to supplemental tutorial material and interactive applications, practice problems, diagnostic feedback on problem solutions, and access to a student Dictionary. Moreover, the Learning Mode is designed to monitor the progress made by students toward mastery of a given concept and advise them on continuing or changing concepts. A student is required to solve an appropriate number of practice problems correctly before the system will conclude that the concept has been mastered. At this point the student is encouraged to choose a new concept from the (updated) pie chart, but the opportunity to continue to work on this concept is available if the student wishes. If the student makes mistakes, a greater number of correct solutions may be required.

If the student has difficulty, the system may suggest closer attention to the explanations or offer the name of a classmate who has recently mastered this concept. A new selection may also be encouraged.

The student continues to work in the Learning Mode until a new assessment is ordered, either by the instructor or automatically when a certain amount of time has been spent or a certain amount of progress has been made since the last assessment (See Sec. 4.3).