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Algebra and Precalculus Self-Study Resources

Students may wish to review topics from algebra and precalculus to prepare to take the TCNJ mathematics placement exam, the Collegeboard CLEP exam in College Algebra, or the Collegeboard CLEP exam in Precalculus. Here we offer some resources which you may use to prepare for these exams.

Resources for preparing for the Calculus Readiness Test (Part I of the math placement test)

Resources for preparing for the Algebra Skills Test (Part II of the math placement test)

ALEKS and the CLEP Exams

If you do not meet the Calculus or Precalculus prerequisite requirements, there are several ways to meet the requirements. One way is to do self-study using the computerized mathematics software ALEKS and then pass the corresponding CLEP exam offered by the CollegeBoard. To take calculus, you need to earn at least a 50 on the CLEP Precalculus exam. To take Precalculus, you need to earn at least a 50 on the CLEP College Algebra exam. This page presents information on the ALEKS software and the CLEP exams. The specific information is:

Please Note:

  1. College level calculus is a more rigorous course than the Calculus courses taught at most high schools. Past student performance has shown that certain minimum scores on the SAT-Math or ACT-Math are needed to do well in our calculus courses. Even if you have already taken calculus in high school, you may be placed into Precalculus due to your math scores in order to ensure success when you take our calculus courses.
  2. Entering students who are placed into Intermediate Algebra or Precalculus but wish to take a more advanced course in their first semester have several options, itemized here.

Information about the ALEKS “Prep for Calculus” Course

The online ALEKS course, “Prep for Calculus,” is an online course that allows students to refresh their knowledge of Precalculus. The course is run by the private company ALEKS and TCNJ cannot provide any help with the course. If you would like to take the course, please follow these steps (a graphical .pdf file illustrating these steps can be found here):

  1. To register for the course, go to the link https://www.aleks.com/sign_up
  2. In the orange box on the left, entitled “Using ALEKS with a Class?”, enter the Course Code EGVXQ-4WCCG. This is the code for the “Prep for Calculus” course. Hit Enter
  3. You will see a screen confirming that you are enrolling in TCNJ’s “Prep for Calculus” course with Professor Hagedorn, the chair of the Department of Mathematics and Statistics, listed as the instructor. If you see this, click on “Continue.”
  4. You will now see a screen asking you to enter your access code. Click on the link “purchase an access code online” to purchase one.
  5. You will now be at a screen entitled “ALEKS Prep for Calculus (6 weeks)”. You will be able to purchase an access code that will give you six weeks access to the online course “Prep for Calculus.” Please enter the necessary personal and payment information. Our school is “The College of New Jersey.” Once the purchase is done, you will be given a 20 digit access code for the course.
  6. You should enter the access code on the screen “Enter your Access Code.” You will then need to enter your student information on the next screen. Please enter your real name as this is the information TCNJ will use. Please enter your TCNJ Id number for “Student ID#”
  7. ALEKS will now give you a Login name that you will use. You will then need to check if a plugin needs to be downloaded to your computer. If it is needed please download and install the plugin. The installation should be done automatically.
  8. The ALEKS program will then lead you through a set of steps that instruct you how to use the system and enter answers in a way that ALEKS will understand. This can be a bit tedious but ensures you know what to do.
  9. Finally, you will begin an assessment test of your current knowledge. The test can take awhile so be sure you have plenty of time, such as two hours, for it. Based on the results, ALEKS will show you a pie graph that visually demonstrates how many topics in Pre-Calculus you have mastered. It will also show you topics that you haven’t mastered yet.
  10. By clicking on the pie-graph and then working problems in areas that you have not mastered, you will gain mastery of new topics.

Information about the ALEKS “Prep for Pre-Calculus” Course

The online ALEKS course, “Prep for PreCalculus,” is an online course that allows students to refresh their knowledge of Intermediate Algebra. The course is run by the private company ALEKS and TCNJ cannot provide any help with the course. If you would like to take the course, please follow these steps (a graphical .pdf file illustrating these steps can be found here):

  1. To register for the course, goto the link https://www.aleks.com/sign_up
  2. In the orange box on the left, entitled “Using ALEKS with a Class?”, enter the Course Code 9XQM3-46RRT. This is the code for TCNJ’s “Prep for Pre-Calculus” course. Hit Enter
  3. You will see a screen confirming that you are enrolling in TCNJ’s “Prep for Pre-Calculus” course with Professor Hagedorn, one of the co-chairs of the Department of Mathematics and Statistics, listed as the instructor. If you see this, click on “Continue.”
  4. You will now see a screen asking you to enter your access code. Click on the link “purchase an access code online” to purchase one.
  5. You will now be at a screen entitled “ALEKS Prep for Pre-Calculus (6 weeks)”. You will be able to purchase an access code that will give you six weeks access to the online course “Prep for Pre-Calculus.” Please enter the necessary personal and payment information. Our school is “The College of New Jersey.” Once the purchase is done, you will be given a 20 digit access code for the course.
  6. You should enter the access code on the screen “Enter your Access Code.” You will then need to enter your student information on the next screen. Please enter your real name as this is the information TCNJ will use. Please enter your TCNJ Id number for “Student ID#”
  7. ALEKS will now give you a Login name that you will use. You will then need to check if a plugin needs to be downloaded to your computer. If it is needed please download and install the plugin. The installation should be done automatically.
  8. The ALEKS program will then lead you through a set of steps that instruct you how to use the system and enter answers in a way that ALEKS will understand. This can be a bit tedious but ensures you know what to do.
  9. Finally, you will begin an assessment test of your current knowledge. The test can take awhile so be sure you have plenty of time, such as two hours, for it. Based on the results, ALEKS will show you a pie graph that visually demonstrates how many topics in Intermediate Algebra you have mastered. It will also show you topics that you haven’t mastered yet.
  10. By clicking on the pie-graph and then working problems in areas that you have not mastered, you will gain mastery of new topics.

Information About the Calculus and Pre-Calculus Placement Examination

The Collegeboard offers the CLEP (College Level Examination Program) exams in Precalculus and College Algebra (equivalent to TCNJ’s MAT 95 Intermediate Algebra). To prove proficiency, students should score at least a 50 on the exam.

General information about the exams can be found at: https://clep.collegeboard.org/about-clep and a list of testing centers can be found at: https://clep.collegeboard.org/test-center-search . It costs approximately $80 to take each exam. Please check with the testing center for a schedule of their testing dates.

Students can have their scores automatically sent to TCNJ by indicating this when registering for the CLEP test. According to the Collegeboard, the CLEP exams are graded immediately and the scores are sent to both the individual and TCNJ. Upon receipt of the scores, TCNJ’s Records & Registration will post the scores and any transfer credit for MAT 095 or 120 within a couple of weeks. Once credit for MAT 095 or 120 is posted on a student’s record, a student can automatically register him/herself for their next mathematics or statistics course.

 

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