CLEP College Algebra

The College Algebra examination covers material that is usually taught in a one-semester college course in algebra. The test places little emphasis on arithmetic calculations, and it does not contain any questions that require the use of a calculator. The examination contains approximately 60 questions to be answered in 90 minutes.

Table of Contents

• About the Test
• Preparation and Tips

Operations

Basic algebra makes up 25% of the test. We highly recommend perusing these pages for a few reasons. One has to do with the importance given to this section (25% of the test is certainly not an insignificant amount). Another has to do with problems that may be unfamiliar to students. Lastly, the intuition and proofs behind these algebraic operations may be lost on students. In the spirit of higher education, it may be necessary to begin thinking critically about the machinations of these systems.

• Algebraic Operations

• Intro to Algebraic Proofs

• Exponents
• Polynomials
• Logarithms

Functions and Their Properties

Functions make up 30% of the test.

• Definition and interpretation
• Representation/modeling (graphical, numerical, symbolic, and verbal representations of functions)
• Domain and Range
• Algebra of functions
• Graphs and their properties (including intercepts, symmetry, and transformations)
• Inverse functions
• Types of functions

Equations and Inequalities

Equations and inequalities make up 25% of the test.

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

Number Systems and Operations

Number systems make up 20% of the test.

• Real Numbers
• Complex Numbers
• Sequences and Series
• Binomial Theorem
• Determinants

External links

• Official description of the exam