I know that title sounds like an Oxymoron! Algebra is math, math is algebra… right? Well, not in the CLEP world!
There are three basic CLEP math exams. Calculus, College Mathematics, and College Alegbra. Which one should I take? Which one would benefit me the most? Here’s what I’ve learned and what I decided.
Process of Elimination
Using the process of elimination I removed the Calculus CLEP from my scope! One down, and two to go.
Credit Worth
The next thing to consider is much math and science credit you need for your degree. For instance, I am looking at a Journalism Degree. For this degree I need 12 math/science credits. I am still undecided on which college to attend, so I looked at all the CLEP policies of the Big Three Distance Learning Colleges and what how many college credits they grant to the College Math and the College Algebra CLEPs. Here’s what I learned:
Excelsior College: College Math (6), College Algebra (3)
Thomas Edison State College: College Math (6), College Algebra (3)
Charter Oak State College: College Math (3), College Algebra (3)
That information really influenced my decision on which CLEP math test to take. If I took the Natural Science CLEP (6) and the College Mathematics CLEP (6) that would be all 12 of my math/science credits. If I took the Natural Science CLEP (6) and the College Algebra (3), I would still lack 3 math/science credits.
Wrap-Up
All that to say, I will be taking the College Mathematics CLEP test for my math credit. Join me as I begin studying for that test!
I’m planning on doing that one too.