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Study Guide: CLEP

Study resources to prepare for College-Level Examination Program® (CLEP) exams.

What's on the test?

Overview

The College Algebra exam covers material that's usually taught in a one-semester college course in algebra. Nearly half the test is made up of routine problems requiring basic algebraic skills; the remainder involves solving nonroutine problems in which test takers must demonstrate their understanding of concepts. The test includes questions on basic algebraic operations; linear and quadratic equations, inequalities, and graphs; algebraic, exponential, and logarithmic functions; and miscellaneous other topics.

Study Guides & Resources
# of Questions Time 
60 90 minutes

Knowledge and Skills Required

  • Solving routine, straightforward problems (about 50% of the exam)
  • Solving nonroutine problems requiring an understanding of concepts and the application of skills and concepts (about 50% of the exam)

Score Information

ACE Recommendation for College Algebra

Credit-granting Score Semester Hours
50 3

Students will find the online scientific calculator helpful in performing calculations (e.g., arithmetic, exponents, roots, and logarithms).

Algebraic operations (25%)

  • Operations with exponents
  • Factoring and expanding polynomials
  • Operations with algebraic expressions
  • Absolute value
  • Properties of logarithms

Equations and inequalities (25%)

  • Linear equations and inequalities
  • Quadratic equations and inequalities
  • Absolute value equations and inequalities
  • Systems of equations and inequalities
  • Exponential and logarithmic equations

Functions and their properties* (30%)

  • Definition, interpretation, and representation/modeling (graphical, numerical, symbolic, and verbal)
  • Domain and range
  • Evaluation of functions
  • Algebra of functions
  • Graphs and their properties (including intercepts, symmetry, and transformations)
  • Inverse functions

Number systems and operations (20%)

  • Real numbers
  • Complex numbers
  • Sequences and series
  • Factorials and binomial theorem

*Each test may contain a variety of functions, including linear, polynomial (degree ≤ 5), rational, absolute value, power, exponential, logarithmic, and piecewise defined.

College Algebra resources

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