Take Accuplacer, then challenge out?

[inkleind]

So I know I am going to bomb the accuplacer when it comes to math and they're going to try and put me in math for sixth graders or something ridiculous. Can I take the accuplacer, bomb it, and then challenge or clep out of the math classes I need for my degree? Basically just take the accuplacer so I can register for classes and then challenge out? My local CC has a challenge out option for most of the math classes for $50.
Salt Lake Community College - Student Testing Services

I am totally new to the college experience so I'm just not sure how all this works. That being said, I want to get math out the way as quickly as possible. I'm a successful 31 year old who has little desire or need for algebra or trig...

Thoughts?

[Mamasaphire]

I'm not sure how your CC works, but mine required me to take a math class based on my placement test. However if you explain you'll be studying math independently and would prefer to just take the English portion of the exam for now, maybe they will let you enroll provisionally.

[inkleind]

That would suck. I don't have enough time to study for the accuplacer before I have to take it, I'm hoping there is a workaround!

[clep3705]

Ideally you'd CLEP math instead of taking Accuplacer for math. Do well on the Accuplacer and you get zero semester hours of credit. Do well on CLEPs and you get credit.

[inkleind]

So as long as I can challenge or clep out, not placing high in accuplacer is about the best thing I can do anyway.

[cookderosa]

Many colleges have a policy against CLEPping out of a class you previously failed, but I've never run across one that says you can't CLEP above your assessment. Many colleges accept CLEP in lieu of an accuplacer/compass. Any chance that you have an SAT or ACT exam score sitting around? A lot of the times that works too.

My oldest son bombed his accuplacer (twice actually). He was in high school, so it's a little different- they don't assign you 000 level until you graduate high school. Anyway, he kept doing math in our homeschool, and I thought about him CLEPping - but he picked doing the developmental level. Our community college has this set up pretty cool (and as a cash cow) but there are 4 quarters in a semester. So, in theory, a person could assess at absolutely zero and complete all levels (010, 020, 030....080) in 1 academic year. Now, that's not ideal- and no one wants to pay for 8 credits that don't count toward a degree, but look into how they structure it at your CC before you panic. In years past, many levels used to take ENTIRE SEMESTERS, so a person might have to complete developmental levels for YEARS before hitting their degree requirement. My point is, that even if you do place into a lower level, it might not be a huge roadblock. Update- my son completed his levels in less than a semester. They were pass/fail and they used ALEKS math (self paced curriculum that we used- he had already done these at home!) . No re-assessment was done (yes, cash cow) so it was just red tape (as opposed to actually caring if you can take a math test)

[cathgrl]

The OP's school doesn't allow CLEPping for math Salt Lake Community College - Student Testing Services (CLEP).

[inkleind]

But they do allow challenging out. Look at the menu on the left and select challenge. I think this could be a better option anyway as it should give me a grade instead of p/ff.

*edit: just looked at the site, it just gives pass/fail.

[Prloko]

But they do allow challenging out. Look at the menu on the left and select challenge. I think this could be a better option anyway as it should give me a grade instead of p/ff.

*edit: just looked at the site, it just gives pass/fail.

I don't think I'd be comfortable taking a challenge exam in math if my skills weren't good enough to pass the placement test. Last thing I'd want on my transcript is an F in math
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