How am I going to do this?

[categ]

I started my degree a hundred years ago (1977 to be exact) and have started and stopped more times than I want to admit. I have a plan now and CLEP and DSST factor big in this plan. I am aiming for a business degree and I finally have exactly the courses I will need. I can test out of 9 of the 14 still remaining. Based on all of your advice, I feel confident I can succeed at this. Unfortunately, I am math phobic. My last math class was Algebra 1 in ninth or tenth grade and I barely got through it. Of course, I was succeeding more at Partying 101 back then and school was definitely not a priority. I will have to get a College Math or College Algebra course and a Statistics course to finish. My questions are: What do you think is my best course of action to take to get this accomplished? What resources should I invest in to get to the point where I can pass these exams? Do I have to go back and start at Pre algebra and work up to it or is that overkill? I saw another post that recommends ALEK tutorials, do I start at College Algebra there? Obviously i want to put in the least amount of effort so that I can move forward with the rest of my degree. I feel like knowing I have to get through these 2 courses has held me back in the past.

I look forward to any advice you may give me. I just need a push to get started. I think I just need to take one of these exams to get me over the hump.

Thanks in advance, ccg

[NJMedic]

My 02c. - Take statistics and/or other math classes in-seat at a local CC or state school if time allows. There is a lot ot be said for doing math in a classroom enviornment, and how it helps many to learn vs. studying a text.


--C

[Bob]

I agree with NJmedic with taking a math class at a local community college. Sounds like we are close to the same age and I took Pre-calculus at the local cc in the 1990's and while it was tough I was able to ask questions and get that immediate feedback. You may need to take a math placement test to see which class is best to start with.
Good Luck,
Bob

[mlwilliamsiv]

That's sounds good. Most colleges (even local community colleges) have a placement test called the ACCUPLACER. I wouldn't be too shocked if the vast majority of schools now use this placement test.

From this test they will be able to gauge your math ability and can place you in the appropriate class.

I took the Accuplacer at Schoolcraft College last year in Michigan and it was free.

Hope this info helps you.

From a loyal degree seeker,

Marshall

[Geezer]

I started my degree in fall 1976. It took me three years to accumulate enough credit for an A.A. then I stopped. I resumed my college career in January 2007 because I wanted to see what my boys IT curriculum was like and I wanted to finish my bachelors, fully expecting it would take at least 3 or 4 years.

My Waterloo came when I went into the local community college in May 2007 and tried to sign up for an Algebra class, since that was a requirement to enter a 4 year program here in Florida. Not only would the "guidance counselor" not let me sign up, she insisted that I take a remedial non-credit class first. I thought there must be a better way and thats when I discovered Instacert.

Suddenly I realized I could get a Business degree from Excelsior. From June 2007 to December 2007 I took and passed 19 CLEP, Dantes, EXE and TECEP tests for a total of 69 credits. The Statistics was not as much of a problem for me primarily because I focused on the "easier" (for me) sections.

For the algebra requirement I took Technical Math 1 from Penn Foster. I also too the Finance and Literacy requirment from them as well. If you do a site search on Technical Math 1, you will read about many mathphobes who successfully completed the course and were awarded credit.

I graduated in January from Excelsior with a BS Business degree.

Sorry about the long post, but I wanted to share that it is definititely doable if you stick close to this forum and all it has to offer.

Good luck on your journey!

[ShotoJuku]

Welcome to yet another member of the High School Class of 1970-Something; I was in the Class of 78.

You're in good company (not to be confused with the 70's band Bad Company ) and YOU CAN DO IT - so many of us have!

So KISS your trepidations good-bye and Rock and Roll All Night & Study Everyday!!!

[Epiphany]

Try the Aleks out for 2 days for free. If you don't like it, no harm done & consider it a primer for your in-seat class. If you do like it, push on, and you'll be on your way to mastering algebra. I'm working through Aleks right now. I think it's a good tool to learn or relearn the basics. I'll probably sit the Clep Algebra test next week. (I need more study time but I seem to be out of that. If I fail? See you in class...).

[cookderosa]

Originally Posted by mlwilliamsiv

That's sounds good. Most colleges (even local community colleges) have a placement test called the ACCUPLACER. I wouldn't be too shocked if the vast majority of schools now use this placement test.

From this test they will be able to gauge your math ability and can place you in the appropriate class.

I took the Accuplacer at Schoolcraft College last year in Michigan and it was free.

Hope this info helps you.

From a loyal degree seeker,

Marshall

There is a similar test used in Iowa/Illinois called COMPASS. The only problem with the placement test, is that you have to enroll in the level you test at...so if you test 2 or 3 levels below the class you WANT, you will have to invest that many semesters in your seat before that college will let you in! Once you are placed, you are S-O-L.
I have a different idea based on working at a community college (read- how to get in the back door)

Hear me out-
Call your local CC and say:
"I am an adult student attending college at TESC/EC with X number of credits, and recently passed the College Math CLEP. I need to enroll as a special student for one semester here locally for a math and statistics course. I, need to know if I can get an exemption from the placement exam, and if my current math credits will that meet the prereq for those two courses?"

If they say yes, then start studying for the CLEP College Math. Study hard and pass it soon so you can register for fall classes at your community college. If you can go in at the algebra level, you won't have nearly the mountain to climb.

If they say no, you'll need to think of plan B.

It's possible they won't have an answer right away, but don't accept "NO" for an answer. It is 100% totally and positively possible for you to register for that class, you just need to find an advisor who will sign you up. Believe me- they have the power.

Of course, your not really an enrolled student at Thomas Edison or Excelsior, but you need to tell them that so that they don't classify you as one of THEIR students, in which case you have to follow THEIR rules. They are much more flexible if you are only taking one or two classes. (Note- some colleges max out this exemption at 6 credits, meaning you have to take a placement exam for more than 6)

[Lindagerr]

Loved the post Shotu. As another member of the class of 70 something.. I can tell you as I finished my requirements for my AA TODAY!!

MOVE FORWARD do not let this problem stop you again!!

I started my first college course in Sept '72. I have been enrolled in 3 different CC (Community Colleges) it would be 4, but 2 counties share 1 college. I last took an on site course in 1986. I thought about returning so many times since then, but I always let my fears of testing stop me. I finally took my first test in January 07 since then I have earned another 27 credits by testing and took one online course. I keep saying after today I will take a few months off and decide if I will go on or not, but in my heart I KNOW I will this feeling of accomplishment is just so great I can't tell you. My only regret is I let my fears delay me so long. I will not get a promotion at work, I will not make more money, and I will not get a new job. I did this just for me and that makes it even more special.

You CAN do this. You will be surprised at how welcoming everyone is if you do go to a CC for math and once you pass your first CLEP you will be hooked.

[goldpaws]

I was very confident that you would REALLY succeed until I saw your last real math class was Algebra 1. It's doable.

College Algebra is chocked full of Algebra II.
You can live with out geometry and still succeed.

I best advice is to either go to your local cc and take non-credit math classes to play catchup and then take the math courses OR

get yourself a tutor, test yourself out of as much math as possible, and then go from there. A placement test is actually a good idea for you since you've been on/off for the last 30 years. I would definitely study for it - it might just get you out of those non-credit math classes!

Good luck. I have no doubt you will get your degree but you've got some major (mathmatical) hurdles to overcome. Don't give up because CLEPs and DSSTs are a great gateway to a quick degree. Listen, people have overcome large hurdles before - if they can do it, you can do it!! You've got to stick to it this time around!