ALEKS Statistics Is Very Humbling

[LaterBloomer]

Yes, I agree with proving things with smaller number sets. I finally took bus. stats. through Penn Foster, and got through it on the second attempt. Though I (barely) passed the final, I didn't finish it, and part of it was that reason. Why do you need me to do basic mathematical operations on a WHOLE bunch of numbers, just to get me to the part that matters. It was frustrating.

[Maniac Craniac]

Congratulations on finishing off that monster. I don't think you should blame yourself for how difficult it was. Truthfully, I don't find the study of statistics to be so difficult, but Aleks is an absolute mess. When you get a question wrong, it directs you to pages that give you explanations that assume that you already know what you are doing. If I already knew what I was doing, I wouldn't need an explanation banghead

It didn't help at all that I found the black-on-white color scheme and the poor resolution of the images very difficult to stare at for hours at a time.

The most success I had with ALEKS was when I gave up trying to use their study materials. I picked up some books from the library to learn the lessons, then would take the assessments. All of a sudden, I was BREEZING through the pie chart.

In case anyone is wondering, no, I didn't finish. When I changed the direction of my degree path (in the middle of taking the ALEKS course!), I realized that I didn't need the statistics credits anymore and decided to not waste my time trying to salvage a sunk cost.

Errr... sorry for this long post about ME, ME, ME. How about a high five for your accomplishment?

[iwant2stalku]

What also irks me is ALEKS sending me an assessment at 66% when 1. Even if I get all the answers right, I still don't have the 70% I need for my credit. and 2. You have to take the assessment seriously or risk losing your pie progress.

I got through the whole thing in about 6 days (logging 6,7,8 hours most of those days=no life whatsoever). I took 4 assessments. Had a statistics book from the library that was no help, but luckily there are some good ALEKS youtube videos that show you how to find answers with the ALEKS calculator. Also there is a formula spreadsheet on the forum that was very helpful, but you still have to use your brain. Be wary of online calculators. For the more advanced calculations, many of them are off by just .1 or so and ALEKS won't accept the answer because it wants calculations carried out to 4 decimal places and answers rounded to 2-3. Many online calculators only calculate 2 decimal places when you need 4 to get a rounded 3.

[JTP]

I'm glad it only cost me $25 to get the Stats credit, but I think it would have been worth it to take an actual class to cut down on some stress.