Calculus CLEP/in general: Not sure where to start

[Cory]

Watch the free MIT lectures from their calculus course. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jbIQW0gkgxo

Work through a calc book.

Work through a Schaum's outlines

[OfficerA]

Out of a bad habit, I decided to read through what others went through to prepare for this. Not to sound like an immense cheapskate, but as my library faces closure soon (thanks to budget concerns), I want to exhaust all free resources first, before committing to everything else (and this includes taking the CLEP, which I get one free shot at).

Managed to find a Barron's book (looked old, 4th edition), as well as the Schaum's book as well, along with a massive REA book for it. I really do feel like I gotta just grind this out, so I'll see what I can do in the 4-day weekend I got before work/last semester starts.

Thank you all again (got good info with this topic too); I'll only revive this topic if/when I pass this. I want to love math again but didn't worry about it until I realized just how close I was to completing my current degree since I started posting here last year, around this time too.

[KayV]

Saylor also offers Calculus I for 4 hours of NCCRS- approved credit, and they also have noncredit Calc II and III as a study resource.

[freddy]

Hi OfficerA,

You don't want the REA problem solver book, which sounds like the one you have when you used the word "massive". What you want is the REA clep study guide:

CLEPÂ Calculus (CLEP Test Preparation): Gregory Hill, CLEP, Calculus Study Guides: 9780738603049: Amazon.com: Books

I would say the REA study guide is a must have for the calculus clep. Also you might want to try to find a copy of the CLEP official study guide at your library, if it isn't already closed. These will give you an idea of what types of questions you need to know how to answer.

[OfficerA]

I have both available, and after trying the books I borrowed yesterday, they're probably my next best.

My issue with the Calculus REA book (normal one) is that I was lost on the concept from the start. That said, I was rushed too at the time, but now I'll try it again.

As for the massive book, it was a lot less "fancy" than the one I ended up borrowing, so I'll try it again. Not sure if my library is open today, but I can hope.

I've seen good reviews on the REA book, so I'll definitely go for them next.

Thanks.

[berenice15]

Hello OfficerA!

I am now preparing for the Calculus CLEP myself. I wonder if you ended up taking the exam, and how you did? I am using Thinkwell and Porf. Burger is doing an excellent job at helping me understand everything. I also have the REA book and CLEP Professor, but I have not needed to use them as yet. I probably will just to practice more problems, etc.

If you did take the exam (or anyone else who might be reading this) I wonder if you could post about the topics covered and which of them you found the exam to be heavier on. Any other advice would be greatly appreciated from recent test takers. Thanks!

[OfficerA]

Hello OfficerA!

I am now preparing for the Calculus CLEP myself. I wonder if you ended up taking the exam, and how you did? I am using Thinkwell and Porf. Burger is doing an excellent job at helping me understand everything. I also have the REA book and CLEP Professor, but I have not needed to use them as yet. I probably will just to practice more problems, etc.

If you did take the exam (or anyone else who might be reading this) I wonder if you could post about the topics covered and which of them you found the exam to be heavier on. Any other advice would be greatly appreciated from recent test takers. Thanks!

I'm taking a break right now; depending on how things go this coming Monday, I'll either be studying this again (more focused) or focusing exclusively on promotion testing, as I have less than 60 days till I test for my next rank.

As for studying, I'm relying on the REA book for this based on the reviews I've read, as well as it being focused on the problems I'm supposed to encounter in the actual exam. That said, there are section in the edition I have that aren't explained well, but in those cases I've searched online for help and I'm been able to make a little progress here and there.

Here's another site I believe someone posted: Pauls Online Notes : Calculus I

The Algebra/Trig review has been helpful, and the fact that the instructor points out common problems also helps. Sorry I can't help more, but I've been able to knock out a few Limit problems including those dealing with infinity, until work/promotion testing bogged me down.

[bluebooger]

have you seen his videos
PatrickJMT

or his book
Calculus: 1, 001 Practice Problems For Dummies (+ Free Online Practice): Patrick Jones: 9781118496718: Amazon.com: Books

[OfficerA]

have you seen his videos
PatrickJMT

or his book
Calculus: 1, 001 Practice Problems For Dummies (+ Free Online Practice): Patrick Jones: 9781118496718: Amazon.com: Books

Trying to get the book for free, as my library here on base tends to carry a lot, but I haven't had luck.

His videos though are excellent! (and I wish I added them earlier) I've also used his to knock out some problems here and there, and they have been very helpful. I'm trying to pattern my studying (with what limited time I have now) with what the REA/test description has, so I turn to his videos when I get stuck. I've also had to review Algebra and Trig though, as it's been a while as I've noted before.