How do I learn if I don't already

[setite]

I am 26, almost 1.5 successful semesters into CC. I took the ACT when I was trying to get into UNLV, to make up for my high school GPA from 2004 being just under the 3.0. I sort of glossed over the math portion because I don't remember most of it. I didn't realize that I would have to take two remedial math courses before I got to take the math I want. Since that is too many semesters in limbo I need to take the College Mathematics CLEP.

My question is how would I go about "learning" this stuff since I seem to be drawing a blank on all of it. I have gone through part of the IC for it and I have the REA book, but neither seems to be much in the way of actually teaching me. I would like to avoid getting a tutor, but I need a system that actually teaches me these things.

EDIT: To clarify, REA and IC seem to be nothing more than practice quizzes. I was quite disappointed to see less in the way of instruction on IC. Also I have used the search function, but ALEKS was confusing as I couldn't seem to find out what I needed. If someone has used ALEKS, can you say what section is related, because there was nothing sounding anything like College Algebra.

Lastsly I even emailed the ALEKS people and never received a response. Also, I am not a dull person, but I have ADHD and math is something I have difficulty with. I get A's in my CSN classes, I have a few Bs on classes where I simply forgot an assignment or two that ruined my grade. So I just need a little extra explanation. I'm doing okay on individual flash cards by googling for explanations but I don't feel like I'm retaining much.

[claytonordie]

I passed college mathematics using only IC and random things I looked up on google.

I passed college Algebra using this website, Prelgebra at Cool math .com:  Free Pre-Algebra Lessons and Practice Problems. The layout is sort of annoying, but you'll see pre-Algebra and Algebra. You need to stick with it a practice and re-practice and you'll do fine .

[seanmathews]

I know exactly what you mean, I have my own specific ways of learning that are even hard for me myself to figure out. It all depends on what kind of learner you are and what kind of test/subject. Whether you learn better with audio, visually, reading, taking notes, you just gotta find out what clicks with you, might be a mixture of a few. Second, the subject you are testing for. Some tests you need to understand theories and fundamentals, others you need to just know facts, most are actually a combination of both. IC is good for understanding the black and white facts about a topic, I believe. The REA books have worked well for me, and I can see how practice tests could seem like very little help, but the more problems you practice solving and then reading the back to see how that answer works, really helps you understand more of the question.
The search option on this forum is priceless, there are so many resources out there that people have used as talked about so just by reading around you can see what has worked for others.
And lastly might I add,
Khan Academy
This really helps me understand the things I struggle with, it breaks topics down step by step.
Even though this is mainly for sciences and Mathis, each topic has its own specific resources that are highly recommended
Best of luck to you.
Any more questions feel free to ask

[bluebooger]

I like this guy's videos because they're usually practical

Derek Owens - YouTube

he usually includes practical applications too
Khan Academy

[SuZQ2]

If cost is not an issue, check out iStudySmart. They have a more structured class oriented approach to help you learn the material for the various tests. All the courses assign specific textbooks, along with either a workbook or online study guide. I used the traditional workbook method for my first ever CLEP -Psychology - a subject I knew NOTHING about. I started with iStudySmart, moved on to the REA guide, IC, then took the Peterson's tests as a final review (yup, I covered every study method possible!) You don't have to do all the study guide exercises (they're pretty overwhelming), but I found the program quite helpful.

As an alternative, you can check out the textbooks the iStudySmart program uses for the particular class you're interested in. Purchase the text on your own (used - from Amazon or any other source) and study on your own. I've used iStudySmart textbook selections for most of my CLEP studies.

Distance Learning Test out of CollegeiStudySmart

Hope this helps!

[cookderosa]

I empathize with you

The thing about math, especially in your case, is you need to develop intuition in the material. What I mean by that, is college math won't "be" your degree math, it will jump prereqs for your degree math- a class that presumes you understand all that goes up to that point. I will go against what might be normally suggested, and say either a) attempt to self-study and test out of the math for your degree or b) take the remedial courses.

I know that is terrible, awful, long, and expensive (I often rant about this very thing- and how placement tests and remedial education can add YEARS to a degree plan). After 18 years teaching in a CC, I'd bet my last 10 cents that remedial classes are the reason our drop rate is so insane...but anyway.....

If you have the option to take a CLEP for your degree math, there are TONS of ways we can help you study (Khan, ALEKS, IC, purplemath) but if you need to learn it, time is important because -again- it allows you to marinate in the material and develop intuition of the process. Otherwise, you're just setting yourself up for trouble.

[clep3705]

Flashcards and REA books don't work for some people. If you are starting from scratch, you must learn the fundamentals. Depending on the subject and your abilities, that could take a substantial amount of time and effort.

Khan Academy has a lot of video lessons on U.S. History. There's another free site similar to Khan Academy. The difference is that Free Online Courses, College Classes and Video Lessons - Education Portal Academy has video lessons specifically targeting CLEP test preparation.

If you use the search feature, you'll find plenty of posts offering suggestions on what to study to prepare you for CLEP tests.