College Math CLEP...... HELP!! o.O

[bonniekate89]

Hello All,
I'm slightly panicking here... I'm not good at math, and stink at Algebra. (However, Currently have A's in Anatomy and Physiology and Psych in college...) i'm just not a math wiz.
I have to take the CM CLEP asap, so I can be accepted into the Nursing school I want to go to this fall. Any tips on what to focus on in my studies? I haven't taken math in 5 years, so it's all pretty rusty. And looking at reviewing ALL of it makes my head spin!

Thanks so much,
~K

[sklineho]

I was in the same boat but s others told me: don't worry about it.

Free College Mathematics CLEP * Exam Study Guide

Another user linked me to that site and it's very useful. Make sure to learn probability inside and out. Also know your functions. It never gets too in-depth but you'll need to know the basics. Learn union and intersection and how they relate to Venn diagrams as you may get one or two of those. (they're really easy).

That link and Khan Academy as well as IC flashcards are all you'll need, seriously. I'm the worst math person ever and I passed it on Thursday, so I'm sure you can.

[Daithi]

You really only need to know the bare basics for this test, but you do need to know them.

Use Khan Academy, and don't just watch the videos, but make sure you do the problems (click on practice my math skills).
Focus on Algebra, Geometry, Probability, and Sets.

Spend $20 and work through the algebra and other sections on ALEKS. You don't have to get to 70% (as you would for college credit), but just practice doing the basic math. It is the practicing the basics that will really help. Also, the REA book's practice tests are really close to the test, although the section on sentence logic was a lot easier on the actual exam. The book will really help you focus on what you need to study. If you can pass the REA tests then you should be able to pass the real test. Also, make sure you do the practice tests online to get a feel for the time restraints.

I wouldn't spend too much time on things like imaginary numbers and standard deviation. I had only had one question on standard deviations and none on imaginary numbers, so concentrate on the basics.

[sklineho]

Yeah I didn't think about ALEKS. I'm using it for Statistics but I'm sure the math parts are great too. One thing that I think will help you is to go through the pie sections that correspond to what you need to know. ALEKS won't fill in a section until it's sure you know it so that could force you to learn things.

[sklineho]

Oh and one other thing I forgot to mention:

Make a chat sheet. No, don't use it to cheat, but make a list of all the formulas and take it to the exam. You can't use it during the test, but sit in the hall and memorize as many as possible before walking in. Then as soon as you sit down, jot them down from memory on your scratch paper. It's an old testing trick that really does work. Especially remember:

Standard Deviation
1.Work out the average (mean value) of your set of numbers
2.Work out the difference between each number and the mean
3.Square the differences
4.Add up the square of all the differences
5.Divide this by one less than the number of numbers in your set - this is called the variance
6.Take the square root of the variance and you've got the standard deviation

Pythagorean Theorem

a2+b2=c2

In right-angled Δ ABC, base AC = 3 cm and hypotenuse AB = 5 cm. 2.

By Pythagorean Theorem, height BC = √

52 − 32 = 4 cm.

Area of the triangle = ½ × AC × BC = ½ × 3 × 4 = 6 cm

[bonniekate89]

Thanks y'all!
I'm working on the instantcert flashcards right now, so far just the venn diagrams have been challenging. The 'why the heck do we need to know this?!' question goes through my mind once in awhile. -_- Oh well.
I'll definitely do the "cheat scratch paper" thing, thanks. Part of my problem is remembering all these stupid rules and order of operations etc.
headed to the tutor at school tomorrow to work on it a bit.

[BGSU_Alum_86]

Just remember, you cannot write on that scratch piece of paper until your test time officially begins (you need to be out of the tutorial screens and see an actual timer running). At that point, you can write whatever you want on your scratch paper -- good luck!

[jayroca26]

Hello everybody, I'm new to this forum and need help. I've never been a math wiz. All I need is a college level math to graduate with my bachelors. So far I'm studying from IC and REA. It's really kicking my butt. Any suggestions are welcome.

[bluebooger]

Hello everybody, I'm new to this forum and need help. I've never been a math wiz. All I need is a college level math to graduate with my bachelors. So far I'm studying from IC and REA. It's really kicking my butt. Any suggestions are welcome.

read posts 2 and 3 of this thread

[SoliDeoGloria]

I took the College Algebra CLEP, not the College Mathematics, so I can't share specifics about CM. But I do know that Princeton Review has been an excellent resource for many different kinds of tests, so I would suggest look up the Princeton Review's "Cracking the CLEP." They have wonderful test-taking strategies and the relevant topics you need to study. See if your local library has a copy to borrow.