Aleks question

[Aubs]

I am no where near taking the math clep but my parents want me to take a math class instead (kill me now please). The next couple tests I have lined up are all history oriented but my parents want to know what I will do for math since it is so indescribably hard for me. I was leaving math to the last minute (denial factor) and had a vague idea that I would probably have to do Aleks since studying math on my own is like signing myself in to the psychiatric ward.

What exactly is Aleks? If I take Aleks do I have to take a math clep as well? I need six credits for my degree. I was going to take the college mathematics clep but I know I'd be a mess trying to take it on myself.

Edit - Looking at Thomas Edison for my degree.

[Lindagerr]

ALEKS is teaching yourself math. It is self paced and it can be difficult. On the other hand it is self paced and if I could do statistics through it anyone can with enough time.

Some people prefer Straighterline, I don't really know much about the math there.

Either of those ways you would have to see if your college will accept them. I believe they both go through ACE transcripts.

If Math is so difficult for you one of these might work if you try it starting now and work on it slowly. ALEKS is only $20/month and Straighterline is also not expensive. If you school will not take these courses directly they would still be an excellent way for you to study for the CLEP.

[Aubs]

Mm...okay, thank you I'm looking at Thomas Edison for my degree. I'll have to check out straighterline, haven't looked at that yet.

[Lindagerr]

TESC takes both Straighterline and ALEKS credits. They do not give credit for the ALEKS beginning algebra, but every above that will work. I would highly recommend you join ALEKS and give it a try for one month them you can decide if it will work for you. You could have the six credits done and have that monkey off your back or you could find you need to do math a different way. If you wait Math could end up holding up your degree completion.

See us parents do have the right idea sometimes

[Aubs]

Will definitely have to give that a try, thank you very much

Oh I know, and usually I am not at odds with my parents, I'm very close with them but they were thinking one way and I've been thinking another and prepping for a test on Thursday and switching gears all of a sudden frustrated me.

[dew125]

I highly recommend using khan academy to gain confidence in math. Besides just the videos, there is a free members area where you can work through problems and gain mastery. You can start with easy addition if you want and work up from there.

If it were me, I would spend time on Khans site and focus on the areas covered by either the math clep or Aleks. I personally didnt love learning through Aleks, but many people do, and it is the means to the end...your degree. Good luck!

[MISin08]

ALEKS plus Idiots Guide and videos made me like Statistics, and now that I know I can do math and even enjoy it, I'm a living example of regret at putting it off. I was done with everything else a year ago. Then work demands became too intense for me to give math the focus it needs and now I am probably going to lose a great grad school opportunity because I haven't graduated yet. Not the end of the world but looking back I wish I had just done it.

Phillip

[dcan]

Khan Academy and also PatrickJMT.com actually teach you the material via short video lectures. ALEKS is great for the math exercises. Doing ALEKS is sometimes like World War I -- slogging through the trenches to get to 70%. But you see your progress at all times, and you know you are getting one step closer to victory. It's only $20 to try it for a month, and you get 3 days free anyway, so give it a go.

Another fantastic resource is the /r/learnmath subreddit.

BTW, if you go through College Algebra on ALEKS then I strongly suggest taking the College Math CLEP since College Algebra is more advanced than the CLEP requires. Actually, Intermediate Algebra is probably enough for that CLEP, but you need to supplement a bit by watching the Logic and Set Theory videos on Khan and elsewhere. The CLEP is more broad, while the ALEKS classes are more narrow. The CLEP is easy once you know the material, but getting to that point can be frustrating. But it is the easiest of all the math tests by a country mile.