CLEP Algebra -vs- DANTES Algebra

[ShotoJuku]

[SIZE="3"][COLOR="Blue"]I'm in the midst of my second quest to complete just 2 credits for "quantitative reasoning" and am considering either the CLEP or DANTES Algebra exams.

Does anyone have any personal experience with either of these and recommendations as to which one to lean towards first?

THANKS!![/COLOR][/SIZE]

[snazzlefrag]

I'm in the midst of my second quest to complete just 2 credits for "quantitative reasoning" and am considering either the CLEP or DANTES Algebra exams.

Does anyone have any personal experience with either of these and recommendations as to which one to lean towards first?

THANKS!!

ShotoJuku,

I haven't taken either of these exams. However, if I were in your situation, I would go for DANTES Fundamentals of College Algebra. Here's why:

1. It is a lower level of Algebra than the CLEP.
2. It is not timed (ie, nowhere near as much pressure).
3. You can use your OWN calculator.
4. It fulfills Excelsior's Quantitative Requirements.

The only downside I can see, is that you wouldn't receive your score immediately. But somebody in another thread just mentioned that you can pay DANTES an additional fee to expedite your scores (within a few days).

This would be my number one choice between the two.

I would also recommend that you at least consider the DANTES Statistics exam. It fulfills the Excelsior quantitative requirement, but is much more concept based than math based. As I have said elsewhere, I took care of learning the concepts as best I could, and my Texas Instruments BAII+ ($30) took care of the math for me. Math is TOTALLY not my thing, but I studied hard for this exam and was able to do very well.

Anyway, the option is there for you if you need it,
Snazzlefrag

[upgray]

I took the college algebra CLEP using the REA test prep book. It was a pretty serious exam. I used the REA book and got help from my smart wife. I guessed on all the graph identification questions (don't neglect studying the graph sections like i did) and scored in the mid 60's. The pass rates look nearly the same for the dantes and clep exams. It took some really committed studying, but it is not unrealistic. If it is easier to "teach yourself" statistics instead of algebra, maybe that's the way to go if they both count for what you need. The statistics exam is on my list; is it easy enough to do with instantcert? I was planning on using the idiot's guide and IC for it.

[snazzlefrag]

I took the college algebra CLEP using the REA test prep book. It was a pretty serious exam. I used the REA book and got help from my smart wife. I guessed on all the graph identification questions (don't neglect studying the graph sections like i did) and scored in the mid 60's. The pass rates look nearly the same for the dantes and clep exams. It took some really committed studying, but it is not unrealistic. If it is easier to "teach yourself" statistics instead of algebra, maybe that's the way to go if they both count for what you need. The statistics exam is on my list; is it easy enough to do with instantcert? I was planning on using the idiot's guide and IC for it.

Upgray,

Instantcert will provide you with all the concepts you will need. But you may also need to do some additional study in order to really grasp any concepts you are still unsure about.

Here are a few links (I didn't use all of these....just pick and choose as needed to solidify the concepts in your mind).

Online Study Guides:

http://davidmlane.com/hyperstat/

http://www.pinkmonkey.com/studyguides/su...ntents.asp

http://www.sysurvey.com/tips/statistics/contents.htm

http://estumpf.home.mindspring.com/Main/...esMap.html

http://www.quickmba.com/stats/

http://sofia.fhda.edu/gallery/statistics/lessons.html


Online Glossary of Terms:

http://www.stats.gla.ac.uk/steps/glossary/alphabet.html


Online Videos:

http://www.learner.org/cgi-bin/swish-res...ishdefault


Online Quizzes: (use the drop down to navigate)

http://college.hmco.com/mathematics/bras...index.html

Hope this helps,
Snazzlefrag

[ShotoJuku]

ShotoJuku,

I haven't taken either of these exams. However, if I were in your situation, I would go for DANTES Fundamentals of College Algebra. Here's why:

1. It is a lower level of Algebra than the CLEP.
2. It is not timed (ie, nowhere near as much pressure).
3. You can use your OWN calculator.
4. It fulfills Excelsior's Quantitative Requirements.

The only downside I can see, is that you wouldn't receive your score immediately. But somebody in another thread just mentioned that you can pay DANTES an additional fee to expedite your scores (within a few days).

This would be my number one choice between the two.

I would also recommend that you at least consider the DANTES Statistics exam. It fulfills the Excelsior quantitative requirement, but is much more concept based than math based. As I have said elsewhere, I took care of learning the concepts as best I could, and my Texas Instruments BAII+ ($30) took care of the math for me. Math is TOTALLY not my thing, but I studied hard for this exam and was able to do very well.

Anyway, the option is there for you if you need it,
Snazzlefrag

[SIZE="3"][COLOR="Blue"]Hey Rob - Thanks for the reply!

I think that's the way I'll go this time, particularly as it looks as though the DANTES exam is based on "fundamentals" rather than and intermediate level that the CLEP exam looks like.

At this point, time is no longer an issue and although I'll hate to play the DANTES waiting game the passing score for DANTES is a 47 compared to CLEP's 50 so it may very well worth the wait.

Thanks for the suggestion!!![/COLOR][/SIZE]

Quick Follow-up question: How many questions on the DANTES exam?? Didn't see it on their website.

[snazzlefrag]

Quick Follow-up question: How many questions on the DANTES exam?? Didn't see it on their website.

Brian,

According to their Technical Data Sheet, there are two versions of the exam. One has 78 questions, the other has 79:

(http://www.getcollegecredit.com/pdfs/TEC...ET0204.pdf)

I know at first glance this might seem like a bit of a negative (compared to only 60 questions on the CLEP), but the more questions there are, the less any SINGLE answer is worth. This might actually help you since any question you get wrong will have slightly less of an impact on your overall score.

[ShotoJuku]

Brian,

According to their Technical Data Sheet, there are two versions of the exam. One has 78 questions, the other has 79:

(http://www.getcollegecredit.com/pdfs/TEC...ET0204.pdf)

I know at first glance this might seem like a bit of a negative (compared to only 60 questions on the CLEP), but the more questions there are, the less any SINGLE answer is worth. This might actually help you since any question you get wrong will have slightly less of an impact on your overall score.

[SIZE="4"]Either way, it's the path I've got to travel now and I hope it's a wide road leaving plenty of room to swerve -[/SIZE]

[camillumi]

[SIZE="3"][COLOR="Blue"]I'm in the midst of my second quest to complete just 2 credits for "quantitative reasoning" and am considering either the CLEP or DANTES Algebra exams.

Does anyone have any personal experience with either of these and recommendations as to which one to lean towards first?

THANKS!![/COLOR][/SIZE]

Brian-When I read your thread re: Dantes vs. Clep College Algebra, I was relieved. I first used the Dantes guidelines to study. I then switched to the Clep printout thinking they were the same. If it is true that Excelsior accepts the Dantes exam, I am confident that this would be my hands down first choice. It appears far more passable than the Clep. I could be wrong, of course, but reading about Lynda's experience this week was very informative. Was it you who mentioned that Excelsior College accepts the Dantes as well???? I hope this is the case!!! Thanks! Camillumi

[snazzlefrag]

Brian-When I read your thread re: Dantes vs. Clep College Algebra, I was relieved. I first used the Dantes guidelines to study. I then switched to the Clep printout thinking they were the same. If it is true that Excelsior accepts the Dantes exam, I am confident that this would be my hands down first choice. It appears far more passable than the Clep. I could be wrong, of course, but reading about Lynda's experience this week was very informative. Was it you who mentioned that Excelsior College accepts the Dantes as well???? I hope this is the case!!! Thanks! Camillumi

Camillumi,

Just to be clear....

If you are doing a Business degree at Excelsior, you MUST pass the CLEP version of Algebra ("College Algebra").

But if you are doing a Liberal Arts degree, Excelsior will accept the DANTES Algebra ("Fundamentals of College Algebra").

DANTES Principles of Statistics will also fulfill the quantitative requirement for any Liberal Arts degree (ie, non-business). This is the path I would HIGHLY recommend for anyone who struggles with Algebra....providing you aren't going for a Business degree.

If you are in any doubt as to which exam you are required to take, you should contact Excelsior. That way you won't waste any time or money doing an exam that you later find out won't meet your requirements.

Hope that helps,
Snazzlefrag

[ShotoJuku]

Brian-When I read your thread re: Dantes vs. Clep College Algebra, I was relieved. I first used the Dantes guidelines to study. I then switched to the Clep printout thinking they were the same. If it is true that Excelsior accepts the Dantes exam, I am confident that this would be my hands down first choice. It appears far more passable than the Clep. I could be wrong, of course, but reading about Lynda's experience this week was very informative. Was it you who mentioned that Excelsior College accepts the Dantes as well???? I hope this is the case!!! Thanks! Camillumi

[SIZE="3"]Like Snazzlefrag said, different degree options have different requirements. When in doubt - ask your EC Advisor for recommendations and/or approvals BEFORE spinning your wheels. GOOD LUCK!![/SIZE]

PS: Check out "Algebra Blues" thread too.