Precalculus CLEP

[Rhapsody]

I just took my first CLEP Precalculus and thought I would post some feedback on the forum since it seems to be lacking information on the exam.

I studied roughly a week in total and ended up with a 65.

I studied:

- An IB HL Mathematics Book
- REA Precalculus CLEP Book
- Precalculus Demystified


- Most of the practice problems came from the IB HL mathematics book. The calculus demystified is a good book but lacks a lot of practice problems and I feel its good for covering gaps but, I would supplement it with an actual textbook of some sort.

- The REA precalculus book was not really used for studying and its exactly what it claims to be, a review book. It won't really help you learn any of the material but, it does cover most / if not all the material on the exam. The practice exams in the back are extremely useful as well. I focused my studying around taking practice tests and going back and marking which questions I got wrong. I then went and did those sections out of my IB HL math book.

- The REA precalculus practice tests are probably a bit harder than the actual exam so don't worry too much if a few of the things seem rather difficult. It tested on synthetic division and the remainder theorem, neither of which ended up on my test. Of course, that doesn't mean it won't end up on your test.

I logged 140 pages of math in the week that I studied. The only thing I really regret doing is following my textbook each section all the way through. Don't get caught up in major specifics of each topic. You probably won't need to solve any extremely difficult or complex problems. Most of the problems I solved just tested if I knew the topic and its basic/ intermediate applications.

As for the topics on the exam:

Logarithms
- Know all the formulas pertaining to them as well as formulas/rules pertaining to exponential numbers (combining, dividing, multiplying, subtracting etc)

Natural Logarithms
- Same as logarithms. Know all the Formulas pertaining to Natural Logarithms as well. Know Euler's Number (e).

Trigonometry
- One of the most important sections on the exam. Including direct trigonometry questions it permeates more than 30-40% of the exam.
- Know formulas
- Know identities
- Know compound angles
- Know double angles
- Know complementary angles
- Know negative angles
- Know Cosine rule
- Know Sine rule
- Know reciprocal trigonometric functions
- Know General sine and cosine functions and how amplitude, period, horizontal and vertical shift are affected.
- Know when identities are positive and negative as well as how to convert them into each other and their relations to each other.
- Know how to find the arc length and how to convert radians into degrees and the reverse.
- Know the range of trigonometric identities and also the domain.
- Know how to find the area of a triangle.

Functions
- Know the quadratic formula
- Know discriminant
- Know formulas of quadratic equations and how they are affected as well as how to find the vertex.
- Know cubic functions and linear functions and how to factor and manipulate them.
- Know how to find the inverse of the function as well.
- Know the domain and range of functions.
- Know Inequalities

Circles
- Know the formula of circles, radius, and diameter.

Conics
- Know the formulas for Hyperbolas, Ellipses, how to find the vertex, foci, and center of both.

Random Stuff

- You should be relatively good on multiplying radicals with whole numbers, dividing, multiplying, and other basic math functions. On the non calculator section you'll need to make good use of basic math skills.

- Be good with the graphing calculator. The calculator section is exceedingly easier than the non calculator section because you are able to punch functions in to the calculator without needing without actually knowing how to solve the function. The table feature is nice because you are able to immediately type in answers to see if they are correct. The graphing ability allows you to find the intersects of equations and also 0's. The non calculator tests raw knowledge and you need to think a lot more for that part. It relies more on as I said, raw knowledge and also tests more in depth than the calculator section.

- Its a multiple choice test, never fail to take advantage of that. Eliminate answers as you go. It saved me a lot of time on finding translations of functions.

- Graphing Calculator link is Here. The trial lasts for something like 30 days so be at least familiar with it so you don't freak out on the exam day when it is completely different than your TI. In some ways its more efficient than the TI's basic functions. The way in which you can find intercepts and set table values seems to be faster in my opinion.

- Here is the Precalculus: At A Glance sheet that covers all the topics and gives 7 practice problems as well.

- I may have over studied a bit in some areas or missed some areas but, its what I recall from the exam as well what I had studied, which was purely focused from the REA book practice tests. It should give anyone wanting to take the test a relatively accurate area to study. None of the sub sections or the topics were written in any relative order of importance and only as they popped into my mind. I will place a importance on trigonometry though which is supposed to make up 30-40% of the questions.

I guess thats just about all I have for now so, hopefully somebody will find this either mildly amusing or helpful.

[Chebasaz]

Outstanding feedback and for a first post no less!

Congrats on the pass!

[Rhapsody]

Thanks, If anyone finds it useful I'll post what I do after my Calculus exam too since it seems to be an uncommon occurrence on the forums as well.

I won't be taking it until December though as I'm getting 3 more out of the way before then and it would give me more time to study.

I guess I should note that I just recently graduated high school and took AP Calculus. In other words, I've already saw the material on the Precalculus exam before and for the most part just needed to relearn the topics since it has been a year and a half or so. So by no means do I suggest people plan the exam a week in advance and expect an easy pass.

Although, I think the exam is made out to be more than it actually is. I flipped through the REA practice test and noted 12 questions (25% of the exam) on the calculator section that could be answered solely by knowing how to use a calculator (no precalculus knowledge required). That brings someone up to a 32 (According to the REA scale) by just having a brain. That isn't even including basic math knowledge, just knowing how to use the intersect function on a calculator.

[physio_24]

Thanks alot for the feedback. I'm planning to give this week too. Will get back to you with my results if they are good.

physio

[redheadsrule]

I cannot tell you how much i appreciate this breakdown.
I am SOOOO not taking this CLEP :willynilly:

I am in need of passing a 5 credit math class, and after three tries - failed all of them. Precalc twice, and then Intro to Stats which I reall enjoyed, but got bogged down by my other course work, so that was more a petering out that an epic fail like the other two tries in traditional classes.

Any suggestions for CLEP/DSST math exams that are a bit easier than you fine example?


Shank Ewe!

[Rhapsody]

Well to be honest, the school I'm attending only has official policies for the CLEP exams so, I'm probably not the best to ask for that advice as I'm only focusing on those exams in particular and only specific exams that allow me to gain credit for classes.

If any, the best advice I could give you is that most common misconception is that math is extremely hard or more advanced than other subjects. If you give it a good thought, many other subjects require the memorization of many details and the understanding of concepts.

Math is the same way except I would argue that there are less things to memorize and more concepts to understand. Its true that math requires a lot more work because of the many different applications of all the formulas but, I would argue that even calculus isn't a hard subject. The material in calculus itself isn't too bad, its the fact that it encompasses and can be applied to many other areas of math that makes it difficult.

Precalculus is the same way, the material isn't too bad but it does cover a good amount of formulas and you need to know how they are applied to different kinds of problems.

I would give more advanced math classes another shot if I were you, just take your time and only take it when you feel comfortable with the subject. I think distance learning is great and all, not to mention testing out to give credit to knowledge that people already know but, once you actually get a position you are expected to perform as well.

Many traditional degrees require statistics or calculus is some form or another. You'll be expected to know these things throughout your career if it deals with some form of mathematics and not to mention math is an overall life skill that can assist you in many areas.

The college algebra exam gives 3 credits according to the ACE recommendations and the College Mathematics exam is supposed to give 6 credits according to the ACE. If you know you can't take a higher level math class for one reason or another I would check out one of those two exams. Both of them should be fairly easy in comparison with precalculus or statistics.

All areas of math are going to require you to learn a routine set of formulas and concepts though and probably make you work a lot more than other subjects. Perhaps you just have a wrong approach on math? Try the REA books for reference to what will be tested on the actual exam. The official exam study guide also gives you a large amount of problems given directly from the college board. If you couple those with a good textbook then everything is relatively strait forward.

I would even suggest high school textbooks for lower math subjects as they normally explain things better (In my opinion), not to mention they are probably cheaper as well if money is an issue.

[venominator]

Thanks, If anyone finds it useful I'll post what I do after my Calculus exam too since it seems to be an uncommon occurrence on the forums as well.

I won't be taking it until December though as I'm getting 3 more out of the way before then and it would give me more time to study.

I guess I should note that I just recently graduated high school and took AP Calculus. In other words, I've already saw the material on the Precalculus exam before and for the most part just needed to relearn the topics since it has been a year and a half or so. So by no means do I suggest people plan the exam a week in advance and expect an easy pass.

Although, I think the exam is made out to be more than it actually is. I flipped through the REA practice test and noted 12 questions (25% of the exam) on the calculator section that could be answered solely by knowing how to use a calculator (no precalculus knowledge required). That brings someone up to a 32 (According to the REA scale) by just having a brain. That isn't even including basic math knowledge, just knowing how to use the intersect function on a calculator.

I hate to be a necroposter, but if you can post the Calculus guide, that would be great!

I plan on taking these together, since they are kind of grouped together. (Mostly because Unit Circle is a weak spot for me, but still.)

[Rhapsody]

Well, I actually decided to take the Calculus course at the university I'm attending as I feel it would be better in preparing me for future courses that are based off of the material.

I had originally planned to take the exam and got the Barron's AP calculus review, Official Study Guide, and was also using my IB HL Mathematics book.

I took AP Calculus in High School and had used the Princeton AP Calculus Review book which I found a lot higher quality than the books that I am currently using. It should be noted that the Barron's AP Review guide (at least the current one) tests in multiple choice at the end of each chapter which is better suited to the CLEP exam, The Princeton Review Book gives free response problems. In a way you may learn the material better but, being smart in multiple choice testing is a great advantage in the CLEP examinations.

The Official study guide is only around $24.00 and includes information on all the tested material for all the CLEP Exams as well as 50 or so sample questions for the Calculus CLEP.

I would go through the Princeton Review book (We used it as our primary textbook in my High School) and then look over the sample questions in the official guide. If there are any gaps in information, go to other Calculus text books. There are many older edition college textbooks that go for a mere fraction of the cost of the current editions and still provide just as accurate information.

Just make sure you cover everything on the "Syllabus" that is listed and it should be more than enough.


Calculus: At a Glance

There is the link to the "At a Glance" which provides the material tested on the Calculus CLEP.

I found that the Precalculus exam tested breadth not depth, so don't worry about going into extreme details. If you're unable to solve some of the more difficult problems presented by textbooks or review I wouldn't worry too much.

Its a great Idea to take the Calculus soon after the precalculus though. Although not all concepts will be tested, its good to keep trigonometry fresh in your mind. I recall having trouble in Calculus because of a lack of review of trigonometry, I can't of course speak for the CLEP exam itself though.

Anyways,

Best of Luck with your exam.

[throwaway12345]

sorry to bump this old thread but i thought i would add my info since this thread helped me study

- The real test is easier than the REA/CollegeBoard practice tests, however if you do well on the practice test you can be assured that the real test won't be a problem.
- Things I wish I had reviewed better:
-- Systems of equations and solving for perpendicular lines (these are so easy and I completely blanked out on how to do them)
-- Conic sections and how to manipulate them (e.g. moving a circle equation one unit to the left)
-- Trig identities
-- Factoring
- Use the calculator to check your answers and to infer the answers to questions you don't know how to solve. I think this is what put me up to 55.

I passed using basically only khanacademy.com as my reference. I went over a lot of the Pre-Algebra, Algebra and Trigonometry. I have not taken any Precalculus or Trigonometry classes before.

[driftwood20]

Rhapsody, thanks for the excellent breakdown. It may be an old post but it gave me a much better framework to study from than the official study guide did, probably wouldn't have passed without it. I passed with only a 52, studying for a couple months on and off followed by a pretty intense 2 weeks before the exam. For those taking it, a couple of resources I enjoyed are listed below. Best of luck.

MathBff: Love Nancy's videos. https://www.youtube.com/user/mathbff

PatrickJMT: Great videos. I'll be buying his Dummies book for sure to help with Calculus. PatrickJMT

Kahn Academy: Most know about this one, I spent quite a bit of time there learning trig.

Cymath Solver: Cymath | Math Problem Solver with Steps | Math Solving App If you're having trouble working a problem, sometimes this works to show you steps in the solution.

Like others have said, definitely get used to the calculator by getting the free trial. While very few problems require it, I can't imagine seeing it for the first time on exam day. It also helps if you don't have a graphing calculator, I used it a lot when learning how to move functions around/translations.