Help! I've Forgotten Algebra.

It's OK, don't panic! Unless you're one of those sick people who actually enjoys math, it's completely natural for your brain to clean house on all arithmetic knowledge the moment that high school diploma hits your hand. 

Thank goodness I started studying for the College Algebra CLEP almost immediately after finishing Algebra 2 in high school, before my brain hit the "clean" button and turned every formula in there to ash. I bought the REA book on the subject and dove in, but little did I know that the next year would have to be devoted to plodding through textbooks, pretests, sessions with a personal tutor, and frequent bouts of tears. Math is my arch-nemesis, in case you couldn't guess.

Be forewarned: the Algebra CLEP is not for everyone. There are several points to consider before deciding to take this test, on which I will give my personal opinions here:

1. If you're not a math whiz and want to get credit for Algebra the simple way, I'd recommend a college course. Just go to classes, do the homework, and get a private tutor.
2. If you're not a math whiz and want to get credit the cheap way or at your own pace, consider taking the CLEP. It takes self-discipline, but the advantages are a custom study-schedule and affordability.
3. If you're somewhere in the middle between whiz and non-whiz, then maybe you want to study for the CLEP test so that even if you don't pass it you'll be better equipped to breeze through a college algebra class. This is the middle road, with the CLEP acting as a safety net.
4. If you're a math whiz and don't have the discipline required for self-study, then enroll in a college course, breeze through, and you're on your way.
5. If you're a math whiz and want to skip the stuff you already know, take the CLEP test, then move on to something more advanced if you wish.

Going to a brick and mortar college wasn't an option for me, and I wanted to get math out of the way, so I tackled the CLEP. If you're doing the same, but are hindered by a bad case of math-memory loss, here are some resources that might prove helpful.

The College Algebra REA Guide

This is a great place to get started. Take one of the practice tests and see how well you do, then gauge how far you have to go. Keep studying until you can master most of the problems in this book, and you should be ready to pass with flying colors!

College Algebra Demystified

This is a book I used, and it was awesome! Rhonda Huettenmueller explains complex problems in a beautifully elemental way, and was able to help even my math-impaired brain through the steps of algebraic equations.

Basic Math & Pre-Algebra Workbook for Dummies

If you've really forgotten everything you ever learned,

Which Study Books for DANTES?

It's an unfortunate fact of life: DANTES study guides are a bit hard to come by. With a little research, though, you can find some great materials to help you pass with flying colors!

• The Official DSST Fact Sheets usually provide a couple of recommended resource books per test.
• Always check out Free CLEP Prep and look over their detailed study outlines and recommended resources.  
• InstantCert is, as usual, a great resource for brain-busting flashcards that ingrain important information into your skull. As of right now they offer courses for 27 out of the 38 DANTES subjects.
• Finish College Fast products have some great reviews, and they offer study guides for 24 out of the 38 DANTES subjects.
• Apparently Jack Rudman's books are fairly well-respected, but best paired with other materials. They may be out of date and behind the times.
• Though perhaps not comprehensive, the Wise Owl Guides to the DANTES exams score some pretty high reviews on Amazon.com.
• I hesitate to recommend these (I haven't read many reviews) but there are some pricey guides available from the DANTES Exam Secrets Test Prep Team. 

                                                         

                                                           Happy CLEPing and DANTESing!

Image credit: iStockPhoto

Which Test Prep Book To Choose?

They say not to judge a book by its cover....

You've decided to take a CLEP test, you've picked one out, and you're gearing up to study. But which study book should you choose? There are a multitude of options. Type "English Composition CLEP Study," for example, into Amazon.com and you'll find almost thirty results! That can be a little overwhelming.

Well, you'll be happy to know that every CLEP test has at least one study book made specifically for it, so you won't have to scramble to find a suitable textbook or Dummy's guide (which I've had to do for several DANTES tests)! Here's a rundown of the top test-specific study guide makers:

Research and Education Association (REA): These guys are clearly the industry leaders. I use their books every time I can! With up-to-date books on every single CLEP topic (with the exception perhaps of French and German languages), written by qualified professionals, they provide complete, expert, well-written products--most of which now come with practice tests on CD to simulate the actual test-taking experience! There are usually two or three practice tests for every study book. Baseline: If you're looking for a reputable, solid study guide, look no farther

Comex Systems: This is another pretty popular publisher, but their most recently published book was in 2010. I've had less experience with this publisher than with REA, but have used Comex to pass a couple of CLEPs. Some reviewers say that a Comex book is OK, but needs supplementary information, while others insist that it's all you need. There are frequent reports of the book's questions not lining up with the questions on the actual test. I was personally frustrated with the small number of practice questions. Baseline: Comex guides are usually good for studying a test's general content, but not so great for preparing for the test itself.

The #1 thing you must look for in a test prep book is a multitude of positive reviews! There are quite a few "ripoff" book series out there purporting to be professional guides, when they're really poorly-written and unhelpful. Don't fall for these! Go for the ones that have solid reviews from people who have actually passed the CLEPs you want to pass.

Of course, there are other guide makers (Ace the CLEP, CLEP Exam Secrets Test Prep, Jack Rudman, Perfect Score Software), and this isn't a comprehensive list. But really, why would you go with a lesser-known book when the "big guys" are so good? The lesser-known books aren't necessarily cheaper than the better-known ones, so there's really no excuse not to buy the quality, well-reviewed guides!

                                                                                                Happy CLEPing!

The Harvard Error

Copyright 2009, Frederik Questier and Yanna Van Wesemael

We've already seen that a traditional education can be outrageously expensive and that CLEPing out of many subjects is a low-cost alternative. However, I know what some of you are thinking: Ivy covered walls, a history of excellence, prestigious professors, special clubs--surely there's something that students at prominent universities have that I don't. 

Ah, but is that true?

Does the name and legacy of a college really give you a better education? What it really comes down to is individual professors and textbooks--not the school itself. There's no guarantee that you will learn more from a class at Harvard than a class at your local community college, online lectures, or a textbook! It's more about you than them. If you're really willing to learn, you can learn just about anywhere! Watch the video below to hear about a student who got a Harvard level education as he studied for a CLEP test!