ALEKS Free Trial - Are Results Saved?

[birdandbee]

Hi All,

Based on the recommendations of the board, I'm trying out ALEKS via the free trial. My question is, now that I'm being assessed on the pie chart, will the results of my assessment during the trial be saved if/when I elect to sign up for a paid account?

Just wondering if I'm wasting my time with the trial and if I should instead just go ahead and sign up.

Also, I frequently see members recommend the "For Dummies" book series to brush up on math skills. For the intermediate algebra ALEKS, which "For Dummies..." book should I opt for (Algebra I, Algebra II)?

By the way, my pie chart was embarrassingly low in terms of what I "do know". I'm scared that this may take a looooooooong while. Wondering what the average turn around time for most of the more math-deficient members of the forum is.

Thanks in advance, all!

[cookderosa]

Hi All,

Based on the recommendations of the board, I'm trying out ALEKS via the free trial. My question is, now that I'm being assessed on the pie chart, will the results of my assessment during the trial be saved if/when I elect to sign up for a paid account?

Just wondering if I'm wasting my time with the trial and if I should instead just go ahead and sign up.

Also, I frequently see members recommend the "For Dummies" book series to brush up on math skills. For the intermediate algebra ALEKS, which "For Dummies..." book should I opt for (Algebra I, Algebra II)?

By the way, my pie chart was embarrassingly low in terms of what I "do know". I'm scared that this may take a looooooooong while. Wondering what the average turn around time for most of the more math-deficient members of the forum is.

Thanks in advance, all!

It will be saved as long as you use the same username. How long? That's anybody's guess. Go into your master account and see if the option exists to "edit student billing" and that is where you can add your payment info. If that option does NOT exist, you can simply call customer support and ask. I'm with you, if you go through the work, you certainly don't want to start over!

For math help, I love Khan Academy. That's my "go to" for myself and my kids. You didn't say the class you are trying, but beg. algebra is probably where you should start. There is a lot of over-lap, so when you pass beg. algebra at 70%, you can then take the inter. algebra assessment and not feel like you're starting from scratch. You'll likely have a much higher starting percent. (and you can stop there for most TESC BA) or you can go on to College Algebra, then Precal/trig. Also, stats is an option.

I think ALEKS is great for 1 class, but it's fantastic for the cumulative effect of grabbing alllll the math credit. You'll get your math requirement filled and some electives too.

[birdandbee]

Hi Jennifer!

Thanks so much for all the helpful info. For me right now, time is of the essence so I'm a bit concerned as to how long getting through ALEKS will take, but in all, it appears to be my best option (as opposed to taking the CLEP or a course at a local community college (though I *have*considered looking into a summer session).

The class I'm working on is Intermediate Algebra as I understand that's the lowest level ALEKS option for credit at TESC. Given my lack of math know-how (and believe me, it *is* lacking), anything beyond that would possibly be the equivalent of asking me to perform brain surgery. :-)

Thanks again for the info!

It will be saved as long as you use the same username. How long? That's anybody's guess. Go into your master account and see if the option exists to "edit student billing" and that is where you can add your payment info. If that option does NOT exist, you can simply call customer support and ask. I'm with you, if you go through the work, you certainly don't want to start over!

For math help, I love Khan Academy. That's my "go to" for myself and my kids. You didn't say the class you are trying, but beg. algebra is probably where you should start. There is a lot of over-lap, so when you pass beg. algebra at 70%, you can then take the inter. algebra assessment and not feel like you're starting from scratch. You'll likely have a much higher starting percent. (and you can stop there for most TESC BA) or you can go on to College Algebra, then Precal/trig. Also, stats is an option.

I think ALEKS is great for 1 class, but it's fantastic for the cumulative effect of grabbing alllll the math credit. You'll get your math requirement filled and some electives too.

[birdandbee]

Any thoughts on the best book to study from (see my first post)? Should I opt for Algebra I for Dummies? Algebra II? Also, I'm definitely checking out Khan (thanks for mentioning it). I tried to navigate Mathway, but to be honest, I found it a bit confusing.

Hi Jennifer!

Thanks so much for all the helpful info. For me right now, time is of the essence so I'm a bit concerned as to how long getting through ALEKS will take, but in all, it appears to be my best option (as opposed to taking the CLEP or a course at a local community college (though I *have*considered looking into a summer session).

The class I'm working on is Intermediate Algebra as I understand that's the lowest level ALEKS option for credit at TESC. Given my lack of math know-how (and believe me, it *is* lacking), anything beyond that would possibly be the equivalent of asking me to perform brain surgery. :-)

Thanks again for the info!

[rebel100]

You know ALEKS does a pretty good job of explaining the problems, you can also print out study sheets. I fear the unique nature of the learning format doesn't lend itself particularly well to any particular book. You might try the coolmath or purple math websites for particularly challenging portions. Khan Academy is an excellent resource, and the Mathway tool might help.

You might also consider hiring a tutor. I found a Bio-Chem pre-med graduate who was happy to meet my daughter a few hours a week and help her on just about anything for $20/hr.

Finally I would say that if the ALEKS just isn't working then the Straighterline alternative is a solid choice. ALEKS is sort of all encompassing while staighterline lets you know what you are going to be tested on. Here again a tutor can make all the difference.

I feel for you, I basically spent 2 decades without a Bachelors due almost solely to my inability to get through College Algebra. Don't let it get you down...there are many options and one or the other is bound to work for you!

[Lyanne]

I feel for you, I basically spent 2 decades without a Bachelors due almost solely to my inability to get through College Algebra. Don't let it get you down...there are many options and one or the other is bound to work for you!

I could have written this. So true.....In fact I'm still procrastinating lol

[birdandbee]

Math seems to be a weak spot for many of us. Now if only all schools would do away with that pesky requirement. ;-)

I could have written this. So true.....In fact I'm still procrastinating lol

[dcan]

I was ridiculously rusty on my math as well. What I found when I went through ALEKS was an initial period of frustration followed by a much easier progress. Well, "easier" is probably a misnomer. The material wasn't necessary any easier, but my understanding had come up to a point where I was able to put together the concepts more easily in my head.

My learning curve looked somewhat like this for each course I took: (hint: it's logarithmic growth)



Something I found particularly helpful (again, considering I'd been away from "math" for a couple decades) was this textbook, cheap on Amazon. It's designed to teach some basic college algebra concepts, not as a "pipeline to calculus" like most curricula, but rather as foundational math for those working in bio sciences, basic economics, etc. It focuses on interpreting multi-variate data via graphs, and helps you for example see why understanding the logarithmic growth function is important (Ex: bacteria reproduces at a logarithmic rate, so it can help you predict the spread of an infection). Same with exponential growth, etc. It really helps take the more abstract "math" you get in ALEKS and elsewhere and tie it to everyday life.

I'm a computer guy, but my background in math was anemic to start with, so I found this helpful to "bridge the gap."

[birdandbee]

Hey dcan, thanks for the tip about the book. I believe I've seen that very same textbook referenced elsewhere on the forum, so I'll have to check it out. Thanks again! :-)

Math seems to be a weak spot for many of us. Now if only all schools would do away with that pesky requirement. ;-)

[dcan]

Hey dcan, thanks for the tip about the book. I believe I've seen that very same textbook referenced elsewhere on the forum, so I'll have to check it out. Thanks again! :-)

Probably by me lol.