TECEP Liberal Arts Math or Aleks Int. Alegbra

[dbwdb]

I am really bad at Math but I need to do the requirement. Which is easier TECEP liberal arts math or Aleks Alegbra? Is the TECEP very hard? Any study guides I can use besides the texts recommended? Do I have a better chance at passing here if I take the online course TESC offers for this?

[bricabrac]

Aleks Intermediate Algebra (MAT115), in my opinion, is less stressful. The Aleks assessment is both untimed and unproctored, you could literally take all day (or 3 days) to complete the assessment. If you are in the middle of the assessment and logoff, when you log back in you are taken to the same place (bookmarked).

The Liberal Arts Math (MAT105) TECEP/Course is HS Math. You could actually take the TECEP after the Aleks course. I took the Liberal Arts Math online course for an easy A but I also enjoy math. Aleks is more than enough to prepare you for both the TECEP and the General Mathematics (MAT102/103) CLEP for an added 9 credits. If you take them concurrently there is a ton of overlap.

Good luck!

[cookderosa]

The TECEP will require you to go to a testing place and take an exam (open book or closed book? Not sure) but with ALEKS you work from home open book. Even if the material is a click harder, it might not be harder to complete given the opportunity to use your notes.

[laughter]

The TECEP will require you to go to a testing place and take an exam (open book or closed book? Not sure) but with ALEKS you work from home open book. Even if the material is a click harder, it might not be harder to complete given the opportunity to use your notes.

From what I understand, all TECEPs can be completed from home via ProctorU except for English Composition II. Unless this has changed recently?

[bricabrac]

From what I understand, all TECEPs can be completed from home via ProctorU except for English Composition II. Unless this has changed recently?

Laughter, the English Comp II TECEP was revised (no longer just the one research essay) and exam details updated effective October 2014. The exam is now available via ProctorU.[INDENT]Starting with the December 2014 term, this TECEP will be offered in online format and paper/pen format. Also, the testing time will be 3 hours, not 4 hours. http://www2.tesc.edu/tecep_desc/ENC-102.pdf


[/INDENT]

MAT-105 Applied Liberal Arts Mathematics TECEP http://www2.tesc.edu/tecep_desc/MAT-105.pdf
Although it was somehow omitted from the TECEP exam details pdf, the course midterm and final exams are both open book, but not open notes. I would bet the TECEP is the same. Also, you were permitted to use a scientific (nongraphing) calculator and the authorized textbook. (see below) To save time I placed post it flags in areas where I felt I might need to refer to the text; better than wasting time searching the index.

This is a 3 hour examination in which you must answer 69 multiple-choice questions worth 1 point each. A passing score is 48 out of 69 points.

Recommended textbook: A Survey of Mathematics with Applications. Allen Angel, Christine Abbott, Dennis Runde. Version used for the course is the 9th Ed. I would purchase the 8th Ed (ISBN-13: 978-0321501073) if taking the TECEP. If you decide to take this exam, confirm with the testing administrator via email (helpdesk ticket) the use of the 8th Ed. It is less that $5 used on Amazon!

Ask the testing coordinator to update the pdf to include the testing details (eg open book, calculator). You can also use that email confirmation as proof of the open book if ProctorU has not yet been given updated testing details.

Good luck with whatever course(s) you decide to take!

[laughter]

Laughter, the English Comp II TECEP was revised (no longer just the one research essay) and exam details updated effective October 2014. The exam is now available via ProctorU.[INDENT]Starting with the December 2014 term, this TECEP will be offered in online format and paper/pen format. Also, the testing time will be 3 hours, not 4 hours. http://www2.tesc.edu/tecep_desc/ENC-102.pdf
[/INDENT]

Whaat?! Okayy... so I went ahead and purchased the books for the UExcel English Comp since I would most likely have a hard time locating a face-to-face proctor for the Eng Comp II TECEP. And now they have it available online... just when I'm preparing for the UExcel. Lol, can't decide whether to be annoyed or speechless. :p

[dbwdb]

Thanks everyone for your info. I've already taken 2 TECEP's and I was able to do it from home with Proctor U so I'm assuming this is the same. I asked a program advisor at TESC which was easier and she advised LA Math. She also advised I get the current edition textbook. I also looked at the program details for Aleks and it looks like difficult alegbra concepts. I would probably have to relearn everything as I forgot almost all the Math I learned. The material in LA Math seems simpler. Am I correct?

[bricabrac]

Thanks everyone for your info. I've already taken 2 TECEP's and I was able to do it from home with Proctor U so I'm assuming this is the same. I asked a program advisor at TESC which was easier and she advised LA Math. She also advised I get the current edition textbook. I also looked at the program details for Aleks and it looks like difficult alegbra concepts. I would probably have to relearn everything as I forgot almost all the Math I learned. The material in LA Math seems simpler. Am I correct?

If you need a refresher, uou can start with Aleks Beginning Algebra. The course is not awarded credit at TESC but it's an excellent beginners warmup course. (If you assess at 70% or greater I woudl add it to your ACE transcript. Do a little research, one of the other Big3 accepts it, can't remember which one.)

Then move on to Intermediate Algebra. Once you assess at 70% or better you can add it to your ACE transcript. You can continue with College Algebra, or stop there and take the TECEP Liberal Arts Math and CLEP College Mathematics. Along with general math, the mathematics exams contain beginners level algebra.

So again this is the order in which I would work through the courses/exams

1. Aleks Beginning Algebra - warmup
   
2. Aleks Intermediate Algebra (3 cr)
   
3. TECEP Liberal Arts Math (3 cr)
   
4. CLEP College Mathematics (6 cr)
   
5. Aleks College Algebra (optional 3 cr)
   

FYI, the text used for the MAT105 course/exam, A Survey of Mathematics with Applications , is also on the list of recommended texts for the CLEP exam. And of course the advisor said use the current text because that's what's written on the test descrition. I never used the current textbook, actually I purchased texts that were 2-3 editions old and I passed without issue. In math and science not much changes between editions other than added commentary, color, nicer graphs, etc. It's simply about the money publishers, authors, and colleges make off of the new release.


BTW, I am not trying to sell you on any of this...just lending advice/experience on how to earn the most credit for your dollar while taking advantage of the course topics overlap.

If you take course/exams 2-4 (12 cr), and you complete Intermediate Algebra within one month (took me one day) here's the math: Aleks $20/mo + $40/first ACE transcript, TECEP $111, CLEP $100 (approx exam/admin fee), equals $22.50/credit. This is definitely a great opportunity for cheap credit! Good luck with whatever you decide!


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Helpful study resources:

You can use the online math lab for Liberal Arts Math
Text - Angel: A Survey of Mathematics with Applications, Expanded 8e or current 9e

[URL="http://interactmath.com/Home.aspx"]InterActMath.com
[/URL]In the drop down box, scroll to - author and text

Click on whatever chapter you need extra help. Within each practice problem you have the option to have the software teach you the steps.[INDENT]• For each problem you don't know how to solve, look to right there is an icon with a key 'help me solve this'
• When you click on it another window opens and the software will go through each step by clicking the yellow continue button at the bottom.of the window.
• There is also a print icon.


[/INDENT]
There are many math sites you can use, here are a few additional sites on my go to list:
[URL="http://patrickjmt.com/#algebra"]PatrickJMT
[/URL]khanacademy


Excellent math software program - Algebrator

• With this program you enter your problem. The answer worksheet details each step in solving the problem (including graphs). It's exactly like the solutions manual just not specific to one textbook. The program topics span from pre-algebra to college algebra. It really helped me to comprehend certain formulas I was having an issue internalizing; but I'm a visual/audio learner.
  

online help calculating problems
https://mathway.com/
https://www.wolframalpha.com/examples/Math.html

Good luck!

[UptonSinclair]

When I began my degree plan in 2013, I tested at barely the elementary algebra level on the accuplacer. Using Aleks, I was able to complete beginning algebra, intermediate algebra, algebra, trigonometry, and precalculus. There is no harm in trying with Aleks. The worst that can happen is you spend $20 to find out you hate it. One the other hand, you may find that you are not as bad at math as you thought. I was surprised to find I was able to move along as quick as I did. Just don't be afraid to back up if things are too difficult. If elementary algebra is difficult, drop down to prealgebra. Once the concepts start sinking in, things begin to move along pretty quick.

[JohnnyHeck]

Surprising as it may seem LA Math is actually an excellent course for anyone who will not need to use Algebra and higher levels of math for future math and science courses. LA Math teaches you the practical skills of many different aspects of math that you actually can use in the course of your daily life. However, for the math phobic, I would most highly recommend the ALEKS Math Essentials with Quick Tables as your refresher course. It will quickly build your speed at math calculations and jargon. It will give you a great chance to overcome your math fears so that you really can take advantage of your LA Math course. Good luck.