College Math -- Don't stress over it ---

[zippy99]

I took college math earlier today and as promised in another thread I have some thoughts about this one.

First off Don't stress. This not a difficult test.
Second Excelsior will give you credit toward Social Sciences for this test even if you have already met the math requirement. This was like finding 6 extra credits sitting on the sidewalk.

While I have taken alot of formal math classes, I haven't taken a math class in more than 20 years. I spent perhaps 15 hours reviewing (and that was too much) over 5 days and scored a 73. I'll say it again. This is not a difficult exam.

The exact objectives are listed in the college board brochure and the college board sample test is very representative of what you can expect, both in terms of content and difficulty. I'd save this for the night before to make sure you're ready.

If you need a refresher (or to learn some new concepts altogether) use the petersons book. Everything you need to know is covered in there and probably in more depth than is required. It is also presented (IMO) quite clearly. Take the time and DO THE PROBLEMS.
This is a test that covers a relatively broad area at relatively little depth. A little time with the Wiki to supplement the book, and some time with a pencil and paper and you'll be golden.

If you have the equivalent of high school algebra and trig, and the first couple weeks of a statistics course you can pass this exam. The only topic that is covered that would not be found in these places is logic. Again, learn the basics. If you can solve a truth table for 2 variables P AND Q, P OR Q, and P implies Q you've licked it.

Some observations. The sample questions in the Peterson Book are WAY harder than the real test. If you can do these, you'll ace the test.

A calculator is provided. You probably won't need it.
Bring a pencil. You WILL need it. You'll need to do a little manual figuring, but not a ton. You can do the whole thing on a single sheet of scratch paper probably.

And finally, somethings to be sure you know.

Number Systems.
Know what real numbers, rational, irrational, integers and primes are.
This information is required for a large number of the questions.
Understand absolute value and number lines.

Sets.
Know what the set of all real numbers means. Know the basics of sets.
Union, Intersection and compliment. Know what a cartesian join is (all you
database guys, it's the same for numbers)
Make sure you know what a Venn Diagram (a simple one) is and how to
interpret it.

Logic.
Just need to know the basics.
Truth tables for 2 variables. AND, OR and IMPLIES. It would be a good idea
to understand inverse, contrapositive etc. But probably not necessary.

Functions and graphs

This is an important section, especially functions. Make sure you can do a
simple composite function. Make sure you understand common function
types, lines, circles, ellipses, parabolas etc. Know the 2 forms of the
formula for a line.
Undertand domain and range. Refer to my notes about number systems
for this too.

Probability and statistics.
Reading some previous notes, there seems to be alot of stress about this
The test covers the basics. There are 2 (TWO) pages on this in the
Peterson book and it covers all you'll need to know.
Be sure to understand how to compute probability for related and
unrelated events as well as mean, median, mode etc.

Additional topics
Imaginary numbers.. This one is important
BASIC geometry. Understand area, length and the Pythagorean theorem.
The quadratic formula.. Just memorize it.
Combinations and permutations. This one always drives me crazy but there
is a really good explanation in the Petersons book.

Good luck.