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+--- Thread: College Math -- Don't stress over it --- (/Thread-College-Math-Don-t-stress-over-it)
College Math -- Don't stress over it --- - zippy99 - 08-01-2006
I took college math earlier today and as promised in another thread I have some thoughts about this one.
First off Don't stress. This not a difficult test.
Second Excelsior will give you credit toward Social Sciences for this test even if you have already met the math requirement. This was like finding 6 extra credits sitting on the sidewalk.
While I have taken alot of formal math classes, I haven't taken a math class in more than 20 years. I spent perhaps 15 hours reviewing (and that was too much) over 5 days and scored a 73. I'll say it again. This is not a difficult exam.
The exact objectives are listed in the college board brochure and the college board sample test is very representative of what you can expect, both in terms of content and difficulty. I'd save this for the night before to make sure you're ready.
If you need a refresher (or to learn some new concepts altogether) use the petersons book. Everything you need to know is covered in there and probably in more depth than is required. It is also presented (IMO) quite clearly. Take the time and DO THE PROBLEMS.
This is a test that covers a relatively broad area at relatively little depth. A little time with the Wiki to supplement the book, and some time with a pencil and paper and you'll be golden.
If you have the equivalent of high school algebra and trig, and the first couple weeks of a statistics course you can pass this exam. The only topic that is covered that would not be found in these places is logic. Again, learn the basics. If you can solve a truth table for 2 variables P AND Q, P OR Q, and P implies Q you've licked it.
Some observations. The sample questions in the Peterson Book are WAY harder than the real test. If you can do these, you'll ace the test.
A calculator is provided. You probably won't need it.
Bring a pencil. You WILL need it. You'll need to do a little manual figuring, but not a ton. You can do the whole thing on a single sheet of scratch paper probably.
And finally, somethings to be sure you know.
Number Systems.
Know what real numbers, rational, irrational, integers and primes are.
This information is required for a large number of the questions.
Understand absolute value and number lines.
Sets.
Know what the set of all real numbers means. Know the basics of sets.
Union, Intersection and compliment. Know what a cartesian join is (all you
database guys, it's the same for numbers)
Make sure you know what a Venn Diagram (a simple one) is and how to
interpret it.
Logic.
Just need to know the basics.
Truth tables for 2 variables. AND, OR and IMPLIES. It would be a good idea
to understand inverse, contrapositive etc. But probably not necessary.
Functions and graphs
This is an important section, especially functions. Make sure you can do a
simple composite function. Make sure you understand common function
types, lines, circles, ellipses, parabolas etc. Know the 2 forms of the
formula for a line.
Undertand domain and range. Refer to my notes about number systems
for this too.
Probability and statistics.
Reading some previous notes, there seems to be alot of stress about this
The test covers the basics. There are 2 (TWO) pages on this in the
Peterson book and it covers all you'll need to know.
Be sure to understand how to compute probability for related and
unrelated events as well as mean, median, mode etc.
Additional topics
Imaginary numbers.. This one is important
BASIC geometry. Understand area, length and the Pythagorean theorem.
The quadratic formula.. Just memorize it.
Combinations and permutations. This one always drives me crazy but there
is a really good explanation in the Petersons book.
Good luck.
College Math -- Don't stress over it --- - LuBee - 08-01-2006
I am currently studying for College Math. I was glad to see your post on it and your info seems to be a wonderful resource. I have a CLEP study guide for College Math but it is by Comex systems. I got it from Amazon after reading the reviews on it. I have only been using IC at the moment but plan to then get into it. I do not know about the Peterson book, though I have read a lot on this forum about using Peterson for a variety of subjects.
I have until the middle of Sept to prepare because it seems that the testing centers around here, mostly community colleges, are testing incoming students and won't take CLEP appts for a while. By then I hope to have a good comfort level concerning the material.
I will refer to your post as I go through the studying process to make sure I am on track. Thank you so much.
College Math -- Don't stress over it --- - zippy99 - 08-01-2006
I read the IC questions as well. They're strong in some areas, week in others IMO. Someone else posted alot of good resources in another thread.
Among them, the Peterson book can be found here :
Free Downloads:
If you prefer, you can also download the Official DSST Study Guide and another good book, Peterson's CLEP Success, (free of charge) here:
http://www.petersons.com/airforce/books.asp
The Official CLEP Study Guide is available for free download here (Chapter by Chapter):
http://www.inarng.org/Education/education.htm
Good Luck.
College Math -- Don't stress over it --- - LuBee - 08-01-2006
Thanks for the links. I just checked them out and added them to my favorites.
College Math -- Don't stress over it --- - yutzyj - 08-02-2006
zippy99 Wrote:First off Don't stress. This not a difficult test.thanks zippy99 for the great post. congrats on your pass and score!
Second Excelsior will give you credit toward Social Sciences for this test even if you have already met the math requirement. This was like finding 6 extra credits sitting on the sidewalk.
the reminder to excelsior students is very helpful. i'll be checking the sidewalk more often now. never know what else is to be found.
College Math -- Don't stress over it --- - ShotoJuku - 08-02-2006
zippy99 Wrote:I took college math earlier today and as promised in another thread I have some thoughts about this one.
First off Don't stress. This not a difficult test.
Second Excelsior will give you credit toward Social Sciences for this test even if you have already met the math requirement. This was like finding 6 extra credits sitting on the sidewalk.
While I have taken alot of formal math classes, I haven't taken a math class in more than 20 years. I spent perhaps 15 hours reviewing (and that was too much) over 5 days and scored a 73. I'll say it again. This is not a difficult exam.
The exact objectives are listed in the college board brochure and the college board sample test is very representative of what you can expect, both in terms of content and difficulty. I'd save this for the night before to make sure you're ready.
If you need a refresher (or to learn some new concepts altogether) use the petersons book. Everything you need to know is covered in there and probably in more depth than is required. It is also presented (IMO) quite clearly. Take the time and DO THE PROBLEMS.
This is a test that covers a relatively broad area at relatively little depth. A little time with the Wiki to supplement the book, and some time with a pencil and paper and you'll be golden.
If you have the equivalent of high school algebra and trig, and the first couple weeks of a statistics course you can pass this exam. The only topic that is covered that would not be found in these places is logic. Again, learn the basics. If you can solve a truth table for 2 variables P AND Q, P OR Q, and P implies Q you've licked it.
Some observations. The sample questions in the Peterson Book are WAY harder than the real test. If you can do these, you'll ace the test.
A calculator is provided. You probably won't need it.
Bring a pencil. You WILL need it. You'll need to do a little manual figuring, but not a ton. You can do the whole thing on a single sheet of scratch paper probably.
And finally, somethings to be sure you know.
Number Systems.
Know what real numbers, rational, irrational, integers and primes are.
This information is required for a large number of the questions.
Understand absolute value and number lines.
Sets.
Know what the set of all real numbers means. Know the basics of sets.
Union, Intersection and compliment. Know what a cartesian join is (all you
database guys, it's the same for numbers)
Make sure you know what a Venn Diagram (a simple one) is and how to
interpret it.
Logic.
Just need to know the basics.
Truth tables for 2 variables. AND, OR and IMPLIES. It would be a good idea
to understand inverse, contrapositive etc. But probably not necessary.
Functions and graphs
This is an important section, especially functions. Make sure you can do a
simple composite function. Make sure you understand common function
types, lines, circles, ellipses, parabolas etc. Know the 2 forms of the
formula for a line.
Undertand domain and range. Refer to my notes about number systems
for this too.
Probability and statistics.
Reading some previous notes, there seems to be alot of stress about this
The test covers the basics. There are 2 (TWO) pages on this in the
Peterson book and it covers all you'll need to know.
Be sure to understand how to compute probability for related and
unrelated events as well as mean, median, mode etc.
Additional topics
Imaginary numbers.. This one is important
BASIC geometry. Understand area, length and the Pythagorean theorem.
The quadratic formula.. Just memorize it.
Combinations and permutations. This one always drives me crazy but there
is a really good explanation in the Petersons book.
Good luck.
[SIZE="3"][COLOR="Navy"]Excellent review and feedback, where were you when I need you back in May; I flunked the CM exam
However you review will helo other math phobics such as myself who haven't done in math (other than the check book) in 25-30 years.
GREAT SCORE and CONGRATS!!!
[/COLOR][/SIZE]
College Math -- Don't stress over it --- - sgloer - 08-02-2006
Nice work Zippy; that's an impressive score on a math subject!