07-30-2015, 01:19 PM
Hello, everyone.
I scored a 77 on the CLEP Precalculus exam and would like to help you out with some advice on how to prepare.
Although I am a math teacher, I did not take a precalculus course beforehand and did prepare diligently for this
exam for a little over one week, in addition to applying my prior algebra 2 and trigonometry knowledge.
For anyone planning on taking this exam, I highly recommend that you use the following resources to study:
1) Precalculus Demystified (2nd Edition)
2) Online Collegeboard Sample CLEP Test Questions (http://hiteducation.org/files/pla/clep-t...recalc.pdf)
It is very important that you have a strong understanding of algebra 2 and trigonometry in order to do well on this exam, and the Precalculus Demystified book does a great job in going over the topics in detail. One caveat is that the book does make some errors in terms of definitions and wording, but is still very well written in an easy to understand manner.
The following topics appeared on the CLEP exam which I took (on July 29th, 2015):
-Linear Equations (Finding the slope or y-intercept when given the graph or two points on the line, parallel and perpendicular lines, finding the equation a line
when given the graph or points)
-Solving a Linear Equation (Using inverse operations to solve for one variable in terms of another)
-Simplifying Complex Fractions (With and Without Variables)
-Solving Rational Equations
-Solving Quadratic Equations (including radical solutions)
-Finding the x-coordinate of the Vertex of a Quadratic Function (Given a few coordinates or points on the parabola)
-Factoring (GCF, Trinomials, Difference of Two Perfect Squares)
-Identifying a Function (Given a set of ordered pairs or tables)
-Identifying the Inverse of a Function (Given a table, graph, or equation of the Function)
-Finding the Composition of Two Functions (Given a table or equations of the functions)
-Evaluating a Piece-wise Function (Given the expressions and domains for each piece)
-Determining the intercepts and direction of the graph of a parabola by writing the equation in the form (x-h)^2 =4p(y-k), by completing the square
-Transformations of Functions (Identifying the graph of a transformed function, given the graph of the original function, or finding the equation of a function that has been transformed when given the equation of the original function)
-Find the Maximum/Minimum Values of a Function (Given the equation)
-Direct Variation
-Volume of a Rectangular Prism
-Logarithm Rules/Properties
-Solving Exponential Equations
-Exponential Decay (half-life and carbon-14)
-Exponent Rules (Fractional and negative exponents)
-Horizontal and Vertical Asymptotes (Identifying the equation of a given graph by applying asymptote rules)
-End Behavior of Polynomial Functions (Relationship between even or odd Degree of the function and whether the function's graph goes up/down on the left/right)
-Absolute Value Expressions
-Law of Sines
-Converting From Radians To Degrees
-Sine and Cosine Graphs (Finding the Period, Amplitude and Frequency Given the Graph or Equation)
-Trig Graphs (Basic Properties - Period, Asymptotes, Shape)
-Trig Identities (Reciprocal and Double Angle Identities)
-SOH CAH TOA
-Pythagorean Theorem
-Solving Trig Equations
NOTES:
1) The above topics are NOT all that you must know for the test; they indicate the topics that were on the test that I took.
2) Matrices are a precalculus topic, but don't seem to be covered on the CLEP exam. I studied this topic to be safe, but it did not show up on the exam.
The emphasis on the clep is on functions and trigonometry.
3) Make sure to practice MANY problems so that the concepts are drilled into your head.
4) When you do practice (exam) questions, make sure to go over the explanations for questions that you got wrong.
5) During section 1 of the CLEP, make sure to utilize the computer calculator that is provided to you - it is VERY handy for questions involving maximum/minimum
values and intercepts of functions.
Hopefully the above information is helpful to you.
Good luck on the CLEP!
Regards,
Paul Choe
I scored a 77 on the CLEP Precalculus exam and would like to help you out with some advice on how to prepare.
Although I am a math teacher, I did not take a precalculus course beforehand and did prepare diligently for this
exam for a little over one week, in addition to applying my prior algebra 2 and trigonometry knowledge.
For anyone planning on taking this exam, I highly recommend that you use the following resources to study:
1) Precalculus Demystified (2nd Edition)
2) Online Collegeboard Sample CLEP Test Questions (http://hiteducation.org/files/pla/clep-t...recalc.pdf)
It is very important that you have a strong understanding of algebra 2 and trigonometry in order to do well on this exam, and the Precalculus Demystified book does a great job in going over the topics in detail. One caveat is that the book does make some errors in terms of definitions and wording, but is still very well written in an easy to understand manner.
The following topics appeared on the CLEP exam which I took (on July 29th, 2015):
-Linear Equations (Finding the slope or y-intercept when given the graph or two points on the line, parallel and perpendicular lines, finding the equation a line
when given the graph or points)
-Solving a Linear Equation (Using inverse operations to solve for one variable in terms of another)
-Simplifying Complex Fractions (With and Without Variables)
-Solving Rational Equations
-Solving Quadratic Equations (including radical solutions)
-Finding the x-coordinate of the Vertex of a Quadratic Function (Given a few coordinates or points on the parabola)
-Factoring (GCF, Trinomials, Difference of Two Perfect Squares)
-Identifying a Function (Given a set of ordered pairs or tables)
-Identifying the Inverse of a Function (Given a table, graph, or equation of the Function)
-Finding the Composition of Two Functions (Given a table or equations of the functions)
-Evaluating a Piece-wise Function (Given the expressions and domains for each piece)
-Determining the intercepts and direction of the graph of a parabola by writing the equation in the form (x-h)^2 =4p(y-k), by completing the square
-Transformations of Functions (Identifying the graph of a transformed function, given the graph of the original function, or finding the equation of a function that has been transformed when given the equation of the original function)
-Find the Maximum/Minimum Values of a Function (Given the equation)
-Direct Variation
-Volume of a Rectangular Prism
-Logarithm Rules/Properties
-Solving Exponential Equations
-Exponential Decay (half-life and carbon-14)
-Exponent Rules (Fractional and negative exponents)
-Horizontal and Vertical Asymptotes (Identifying the equation of a given graph by applying asymptote rules)
-End Behavior of Polynomial Functions (Relationship between even or odd Degree of the function and whether the function's graph goes up/down on the left/right)
-Absolute Value Expressions
-Law of Sines
-Converting From Radians To Degrees
-Sine and Cosine Graphs (Finding the Period, Amplitude and Frequency Given the Graph or Equation)
-Trig Graphs (Basic Properties - Period, Asymptotes, Shape)
-Trig Identities (Reciprocal and Double Angle Identities)
-SOH CAH TOA
-Pythagorean Theorem
-Solving Trig Equations
NOTES:
1) The above topics are NOT all that you must know for the test; they indicate the topics that were on the test that I took.
2) Matrices are a precalculus topic, but don't seem to be covered on the CLEP exam. I studied this topic to be safe, but it did not show up on the exam.
The emphasis on the clep is on functions and trigonometry.
3) Make sure to practice MANY problems so that the concepts are drilled into your head.
4) When you do practice (exam) questions, make sure to go over the explanations for questions that you got wrong.
5) During section 1 of the CLEP, make sure to utilize the computer calculator that is provided to you - it is VERY handy for questions involving maximum/minimum
values and intercepts of functions.
Hopefully the above information is helpful to you.
Good luck on the CLEP!
Regards,
Paul Choe
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