Feeling completely pitiful and frustrated.....I've read, studied, thrown, kicked, and REstudied the Math section of Cracking the Clep, for almost 6 months now. I can get a little more than half way through the test, but the rest....I'm just not getting it! Half isn't good enough for me, and I don't want to spend hundreds taking possibly 2-3 courses. So...any suggestions on getting through this Clep? The local tutors in my area are charging aprox.$50-hour. Not an option right now. Just curious to see if there's any other mathaphobes out there who actually took the exam, and passed. THX!!!
Check to see if a local community college offers televised classes. You could simply watch the classes and that should help to understand the information covered on the CLEP.
I haven't taken the exam but here are some links that may be useful in your studies: Technical Math Help http://www.technicalmath.com/ Calculus Math Help http://www.calc101.com Dr. Math: http://mathforum.org/ Algebra on-line: http://www.algebra-online.com Regards, Dick
I am a big fan of Schaum's Outlines for learning/reviewing math. You can find them at most larger book stores (Barnes and Noble, Borders, and campus book stores), and you may find them helpful. I am assuming that you are refering to the College Math General CLEP test, which as I recall was mainly basic algebra. Schaum's has an Elementary Algebra Book, as well as a College Algebra Book (There is a College Algebra CLEP test available.) For the General College Math Clep the Elementary Algebra book is probably what you want... If after looking at additional resources you are still having problems, I would urge you to take a correspondence course, or for that matter a course in person. It doesn't take long in books, or tutor fees, to pay for a class, and if you are having serious issues understanding the material, DL may not be the best option for that particular subject.
I've got nothing against CLEPing out of courses but it clearing isn't working for you in this case. If you believe in the old adage, "Time IS money," then you've already spent the hundreds of dollars that you were trying to save but you have nothing to show for it. I know that this probably doesn't seem like a helpful comment but perhaps you should reconsider simply taking the courses. In any case, good luck. Jack
I am currently studying for the College Algebra w/ Trig. and have been doing so for almost 3 months. I THINK I have a grasp for just about all the material (although I am not quite certain that I will be able to figure out the problems w/in the time length designated for the CLEP). Math is hard to learn by your self! I was considering CLEP'ing Calculus w/ Elementary Functions however, I may have to take a course instead. I think math is just something that can't be explained too well in written text (or maybe I don't read well enough to absorb the material). At any rate, don't feel bad if you can't hack teaching your self math/alegebra/calculus/whatever. Try this (this is what I am planning) Study for the test (set a test date and use it to motivate you to study and learn the material). If you fail, you fail big deal (I am saying this now but I will probably throw a fit like a a baby if I fail hehe). If you fail take an online class @ a cheap community college. You will probably do pretty well considering you have already went over the material. I hope something I said made sense and helps you! Best Regards, Bill
Another idea... A book that helped me is Steve Slavin's "All the Math You'll Ever Need: A Self-Teaching Guide" Amazon.com rated 4 and a-half stars (out of 5). "This book is great for learing new math skills and reviewing old ones. It is very easy to understand and rather funny too." And this endorement: "I needed to pass a math portion of a job placement test, and had not been to school in 20 years! I took this book and in one week learned all the math needed to pass the test. Very easy to understand...." I can recommend this for easy, helpful skill-building, too! --Orson
thank you! Great advice. I found Slavins book, getting it today. Found the local ed.access channels here, but had to call the stations for program schedule, no math. Maybe when Fall starts. And, 2 great points....since all this time has gone by I COULD've taken a course by now, plus trying to take the Clep will only leave me $46 less and I'll have an idea on how bad I really am, then take it again in 6 months. Best part, I found a noncredit online course I signed up for yesterday. Have to be a resident for a year for normal tuition, and just moved here 5 months ago. Thanks guys, you really helped! (as usual). ps...if anyones looking for CHEAP RA lower level courses, Chemeketa Community College--in Salem, OR--$43 credit hour no matter where you live. Only downside, it's quarter hours, but can't beat the price. http://online.chemeketa.edu
Re: thank you! My local public library has a collection of instructional math videotapes one can borrow. Maybe your local library has same. Also if I ever get asked to teach a statistics class I intend to use "The Cartoon Guide to statistics" by Gonik and Smith, published by HarperPerenial, and priced around $13.00. High school level math is all one needs to understand it. You can do it! Just practice, practice, practice. Write down the worked examples as you try to figure them out. Best of luck and let us know when you "pass the class"
Re: thank you! Yeah, about the only better deal is in-state California community colleges at $11 per semester credit. Hard to beat. Tom Nixon
