College Algebra question

[joel66]

I appreciate the feedback I received on my other post regarding foundation courses to take prior to an MBA. I realized with the amount of extra courses I had to take even after I complete my B.S. in Liberal Arts, it seems that the direction I want to head, it would be better to just go for the Bachelor, General Business degree (BGB) so I waive the foundation route when going for my MBA.

In regards to Algebra, I would reading some posts about what Excelsior would accept. Based on the a review that Excelsior College did prior to switching to Liberal Arts, I had the following requirements for BGB.

36 credit hours to include:
Macroeconomics
Microeconomics
Math at level of precalculus or above
Statistics
Remaining credit in Arts and Sciences electives

Business Component
23 credit hours to include:
* Ethics
* Organizational Behavior
Financial Accounting
Managerial Accounting
Principles of Management
Principles of Marketing
Financial Management
Production/Operations Management
Business Policy
2 credit hours in advanced level Business electives

My question is do you think Excelsior would consider the CLEP Algebra as "Math at level of precalculus?"

If they do accept that course, that leads me to my second question. I have read "Specific Exam Feedback ONLY" for College Algebra, but it seems most of the people that took this course was already a math brain

I need to know if there is anybody else like me who totally suck at math. I took Elementary Algebra over 20 years ago and barely.... passed with a "C" I can't see buying a CLEP Algebra and think I would be able to just learn from it. Has anybody else had to get a pre-algebra book and go from there to Algebra? I noticed some of the post, but it seems that people had went to over 6 different websites of videos to tutorials. I'm curious if anybody has any good recommendations on sequence of books they had to do, in order to successfully pass College Algebra. Example, taking a pre-algebra book, then one or two others in sequence to get a good understanding of it, so they can successfully transition to Statistics next?

Joe

[blueyzz28]

Yes, Excelsior recognizes CLEP College Algebra as precalculus. I used Introductory and Intermediate Algebra; A Combined approach by Marvin Bittinger. I studied for about five weeks, putting in roughly 60-70 hours and passed the CLEP with a 55! I believe there are roughly 12 chapters and 1000 pages but I thought it was a great resource.

[CDM]

i don't consider myself to have a math brain -- so - here's my 2 cents:

I had to take the college Math CLEP a few months back, but accidently ended up taking the college Algebra test instead. (They really need to make those test-names a little more distinct.) (Okay - maybe I should have paid more attention....) ANYWAY - I didn't quite make the 50 on the test (I didn't study for) - but I was close.
Point: The college Algebra test is do-able. Just study for it like you would any of the "harder" CLEP tests. Find a book that will take you step-by-step though the concepts, and you'll be fine! Some topics take a while to sink in, so don't get discouraged. It will come together in your mind eventually.

[PeteDude]

I had to take the college Math CLEP a few months back, but accidently ended up taking the college Algebra test instead. (They really need to make those test-names a little more distinct.) (Okay - maybe I should have paid more attention....) ANYWAY - I didn't quite make the 50 on the test (I didn't study for) - but I was close.
Point: The college Algebra test is do-able. . .

I wonder if the alleged 16% pass rate is largely attibutable to college kids taking it on a lark, thinking they'll pass it without prep?

[snazzlefrag]

I wonder if the alleged 16% pass rate is largely attibutable to college kids taking it on a lark, thinking they'll pass it without prep?

You raise a good point PeteDude.

In addition, military personnel can take the exams free of charge. This means that many of them have nothing to lose by giving the exam a shot (regardless of whether they are adequately prepared for it or not).

I'm not sure where the 16% figure comes from, but the statistics that I have seen were actually based ONLY on military test-takers. In that case, the skew towards failure would certainly be higher than for the general 'test-taker' population for the reason I stated above.

You tend to take exams more seriously when they are $60-$70 a pop.

Just my thoughts,
Snazzlefrag

[joel66]

Well, I decided to sign up for Math 1000 Individualized Mathematics at American River College. I don't think I can do the same CLEP study for this because of the fear of one final exam at the end. :eek:

This program is part of the Math Learning Center that covers four different classes that I can do at my own pace, then head over to the school on Saturdays and take my exam. At least I can break down my exams over 8 chapters for each course and bug my son to help on the tough ones.

I think by doing this, I will be in a better position to start doing the CLEP/DSST on courses that require math knowledge and start working on other easy business CLEP/DSST exams. Plus, I get extra credits applied to my arts and sciences

It has the following courses in that math 1000
Math 32 Pre-Algebra 3.0 units
Math 100 Elementary Algebra 5.0 units
Math 120 Intermediate Algebra 5.0 units

Once I get that done, I can probably be in a better position to either take CLEP Algebra and start studying for CLEP or DSST Statistics.

FYI, the courses I'm taking at American River College use the Hawkes Learning System books and software

Joe