Precalculus CLEP

[adamdriggers]

As all moaning Thomas Edison students are aware, the CLEP Trig/College Algebra was replaced by Precalculus - a required course for we business majors. I am going to take it. Instacert has nothing and the CLEP site has no specific textbook recommendations. The description cited:

Section 1: 25 questions, 50 minutes. The use of an online graphing calculator (non-CAS) is allowed for this section. Only some of the questions will require the use of the calculator.
Section 2: 23 questions, 40 minutes. No calculator is allowed for this section.

Here's the official exam description:
http://www.collegeboard.com/student/test..._pcal.html

Has anyone taken this? What is it like? Any book recommendations? Maybe any video series as well? I will pay hard cash for good resources! Thanks, guys.

[upgray]

I took CLEP college algebra (same thing?) using only the REA college algebra book. It was enough to pass.

[adamdriggers]

After forging through four videos, today, um, it is rather different than algebra.....I WISH it were algebra. But that's encouraging just the same.

[adamdriggers]

Ok, guys, this test is WAY harder than I anticipated. I have exhausted all our library and neighboring library for resources - books and videos. I have completed TWO full video series on pre-calculus. AFter the first series (Standard Deviants which was pretty hilarious) and after understanding EVERY SINGLE CONCEPT and working out EVER SINGLE PROBLEM, I took a look - with my study buddy - at the 25 questiosn you buy for ten bucks off the CLEP site and WE COULD NOT ANSWER EVEN ONE QUESTION. I just finished my second video series today and I am super discouraged. Apparently the trouble is these tapes are very different from what is on the test, as well as it seems the test is far harder than the material we are studying.

This is definately the longest I have ever studied for a test, and I am still light years away from being ready. I just signed up to take it a week from Friday and I'm going to do something I've never done before - I'm taking it unprepared, hoping that I will pass sheerly from good guessing because I have reached a point where, um, I need a professor and I'm not willing to enroll. This is also a major chance as several questions are student-generated fill-in-the-blank vs. multiple choice.

ATTN THOMAS EDISON BUIS MAJORS: As you know, this higher math is a pre-requisite OR you can take college algebra AND trig. My brilliant solution is: if you fail this, don't enroll in pre-cal next semster (it could really skew your GPA b/c it is tough and if you get a C, your GPA will be severely affected if most of your degree is via CLEP and DSST tests). SOLUTION: if you fail the pre-cal Clep, immediately take the CLEP Algebra and enroll in Trig (there is no Trig Clep anymore). This seems to be the feasible solution.

Dang it, I am discouraged!!!

[adamdriggers]

Dude, I am taking this Monday at 2 p.m. I am pretty sure, even after a month of studying, that I am going to fail it. This was just a dumb course to try to CLEP without having studied it formally with a prof. I would appreciate your prayers. May God be blessin' the guessin'.

[tcc]

I use SparkNotes, which are free, and SparkCharts, which are $4.95 (downloaded) for giving me all the major points of a subject in short form. They have both for precalculus at sparknotes.com. Go to the website and do a search on precalculus to find the notes and the chart. Here's what I'd say about doing your test on Monday: cram all weekend and then just GO FOR IT. Remember, the scores are scaled!

[pilotguydave]

Take your time and just think through all those answers. If you studied for a month, I think you might have a decent shot at passing it! Also, don't get discouraged when you take the test. On my statistics dsst I was sure I was failing it but when the score came it was way above average. Like the other person said -- it is scaled. Good luck and study hard until then!

[wfb0l2c]

Has anyone taken this? What is it like? Any book recommendations? Maybe any video series as well? I will pay hard cash for good resources! Thanks, guys.



Leah,

Have you considered Shaum's Outlines for Precalculus? A co-worker of mine teaches all levels of math at the local community college and he highly recommends Shaum's Outlines.

[ShotoJuku]

I would appreciate your prayers. May God be blessin' the guessin'.

[SIZE="2"]Prayers for your success and/or best guesses are coming your way - Choose Wisely!![/SIZE]

[adamdriggers]

Aw, man. I failed with a 45. ;( My first CLEP failure. I am enrolling next January in a course - I can't wait another six months. ;( You can't win 'em all, I guess.