College math CLEP or ALEKS

[cookderosa]

My son is not great (not horrible either) at math. He is 14 and finishing up high school algebra. The example test for college math doesn't look too difficult. Would it be more beneficial to just test out at that point and then take intro to statistics with Aleks or make him work through Intermediate Algebra and Pre-calculus and then intro to statistics through Aleks. What to do?

Well, not every school that accepts CLEP accepts the College Math, and of those that do, it may not be high enough for his major. That said, even fewer accept ALEKS, so this may not be his last math. Since he's only 14, he really has more than enough time to go through College Math CLEP (if you want) and also work up to College Algebra CLEP. College Algebra is a best-bet for most non-science majors, and since he has enough time, I'd seriously suggest you shoot for that.
ALEKS can be used alone or as a prep for the CLEP exam, it's only $20 per month rack rate, and you can likely get 2 months free if you are a first time user registering as a homeschooler (google for a current code). In addition, if you have more than one kid using ALEKS, you can get a family discount.
Stats can be taken in any order, but know that it might be a little easier after intermediate algebra, and probably a lot easier after he's gotten his feet wet on ALEKS. ALEKS stats can be a bit of a killer (I found the DSST exam SO MUCH EASIER than ALEKS. My 12th grade son decided to push through and not try the DSST, so he finished the course, but he took it last- after all the algebras, geo and trig.)