Non traditional college student MATH ?

[ksumn1]

I don't usually post here because I'm LITTLE bit older than most college students....31 to be exact but I have a question I was hoping ya'll could help me with. I have to take a college placement exam to determine if I need remedial classes before beginning my core classes. I'm enrolled for Spring Quarter 2009 and nervous about the Math requirements.

I've been attempting to study from a SAT prep book to get an idea of what's expected and it's very hard. Did you find the SAT math harder than the actual classwork, easier than the classwork or about the same? It's been so lost that most of the equations vaugely rang a bell but I definately need remedial math if the coursework is that hard.

Also, other than the SAT prep books does anyone know of a good book I could use to study or what year high school textbook I can use to "reteach" myself algebra? 10th grade or 11th maybe.

I really appreciate any help or advice you can give me.

 

[_frazzle]

Well when I took my placement exam, I used my mothers study guide that she used to get into nursing school. Her test was called "Test of Essential Academic Skills" and it included everything from basic math to algebra and arithemetic to English stuff and science. The book explained everything REALLY well! I hadn't taken actual math courses since 10th grade and I basically forgot EVERYTHING. The book did a really good job of reminding me, and also I had to teach myself some things that I didn't even learn in high school.

Here's a helpful link

Good luck

 

[belleatheart]

I did find SAT to have harder math prep, have you gone to your local library, there are alot of prep books there for different tests, ACT had easier math.

 

[Krystal87]

My mom actually just went back to school this semester and was having a hard time with the math component. I found, through helping her, that it is a bit simpler than SAT math, but around the same idea. Most of the topics were around algebra 1 and basic geometry skill levels (no proffs or anything for the geometry part.) I'd study your order of operations, inequalities, fractions, basic geometry (area, Pythagorean theorem, etc.) If you're looking for grade-specific books, around here (Florida) Algebra 1 is usually 9th grade and Geometry is usually 10th. Hope I could help. : )

 

[ksumn1]

Thanks alot. I was soo overwhelmed by the SAT prep test study guides. I'm prepared to have to take a remedial math course but at least now I have a general idea of what topics to study. I definately want to do well and any additional studying I can cram in BEFORE I start class will really help. I appreciate it alot. I'm sure I'll be posting a little more after January with more college related questions. Thanks again

 

[TheDarkFlier929]

Hey Ksumn1,

My name is Andrea my husband's name is Jamin, our best advice to you is to go to a high school in your local area, ask if they have any old used textbooks which they do not use any more which may be taking up space, and then offer to purchase one from them; since Algebra books are very expensive, for the most part, this will save you a few bucks; after purchasing this book, then go through it, study it, and try a few problems in each chapter, and you may find you know a whole lot more than you remember =D.

Sincerely yours,

Andrea and Jamin Lester

 

[ksumn1]

Thanks, I've been using a few website to take assessments and it really looks like I'm going to have to take the remedial math. But I found out the title and ISBN of the math textbook the college uses and I'm going to purchase it in advance of class. Even if I only use it to study I can resell it and recoup som eof my $$ back. Especailly if I buy it online versus the college bokstore. The prices in the bookstore are outrageous!! Thanks for the advice!!

 

[_frazzle]

Thanks, I've been using a few website to take assessments and it really looks like I'm going to have to take the remedial math. But I found out the title and ISBN of the math textbook the college uses and I'm going to purchase it in advance of class. Even if I only use it to study I can resell it and recoup som eof my $$ back. Especailly if I buy it online versus the college bokstore. The prices in the bookstore are outrageous!! Thanks for the advice!!

I have a remedial math workbook and CDs and everything. I ended up taking the placement test over and placed into calc so I dropped the course. It's called Fundamental Mathematics.