Online Degrees and CLEP and DSST Exam Prep Discussion
Need overview of how ALEKS work - Printable Version

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Need overview of how ALEKS work - FinancialWorld - 03-28-2011

Well I've heard a lot about the ALEKS testing but haven't taken any or checked very deeply into them. I know there is a plethora of info on the forum about them, but I would like to get a condensed version from you all.

Here are my questions:

1. How much do they cost?

2. How do they work (Do you need textbooks, is it all online, is there a time limit, how long does it take etc.)?

3. Will the credits transfer straight to TESC (I know that only the ACE accredited courses will transfer)?

4. I'm planning on taking Intermediate Algebra to fulfill some general electives. I've taken CLEP College Mathematics, CLEP Precal, and DSST Statistics. Does anyone know if the credits for these will conflict if I take Inter. Algebra (I'm a BSBA student at TESC)?

Any info would be appreciated, and if I left anything out, feel free to add to it.

Thanks

Need overview of how ALEKS work - KyleH - 03-28-2011

1. $20 a month
2. No textbook. It's all online. NO time limit, except you have to pay the $20 each month. It took me a day to do College Algebra w/ Trig, and only the initial assessment to do Intermediate Algebra. You just answer questions until you get enough right.
3. Yes, by submitting them to ACE first.
4. No, they will not.

Need overview of how ALEKS work - burbuja0512 - 03-28-2011

The only thing I would add is that even though I love ALEKS and think it's a wonderful tool for learning, not everyone can finish quickly.

If you don't know a topic, you could be looking at 300+ hours worth of work. I would choose ALEKS over any teacher, so it is pleasant learning, but time-consuming nonetheless.

Basically, you do your initial assessment and if you already know a topic and are lucky enough to test out or almost completely out of it, you're looking at 3 super cheap, easy credits. If you're new to a topic, you'll be using ALEKS as a great teacher, but not a quick path to credits. I started on ALEKS college algebra and did it for an hour or so a day for a few weeks. Had I continued working, ALEKS estimated that I would take just under 200 hours to master the topic.

I gave up and used IC to brush up on college math to pass the CLEP. However, my 15 year old homeschooled DS uses ALEKS daily. It will take a full school year to get through intermediate algebra, but when he's done he'll know it really well and have three college credits as a bonus!

Need overview of how ALEKS work - FinancialWorld - 03-28-2011

burbuja0512 Wrote:The only thing I would add is that even though I love ALEKS and think it's a wonderful tool for learning, not everyone can finish quickly.

If you don't know a topic, you could be looking at 300+ hours worth of work. I would choose ALEKS over any teacher, so it is pleasant learning, but time-consuming nonetheless.

Basically, you do your initial assessment and if you already know a topic and are lucky enough to test out or almost completely out of it, you're looking at 3 super cheap, easy credits. If you're new to a topic, you'll be using ALEKS as a great teacher, but not a quick path to credits. I started on ALEKS college algebra and did it for an hour or so a day for a few weeks. Had I continued working, ALEKS estimated that I would take just under 200 hours to master the topic.

I gave up and used IC to brush up on college math to pass the CLEP. However, my 15 year old homeschooled DS uses ALEKS daily. It will take a full school year to get through intermediate algebra, but when he's done he'll know it really well and have three college credits as a bonus!

300+ hours :eek: Are you sure you didn't mean 30+? I've always liked math and have a pretty good background in Algebra. I've also completed the Saxon math books a few years back (Alg. I & II and Advanced Mathematics). Do you think if I brush up on the topics that I'll have a better chance of passing the assessment? Is the stuff pretty hard?

@KyleH. Since the course is ACE accredited, can't I just have ALEKS send a transcript to TESC? I've never had to send stuff through ACE yet.

One more thing. Are the questions multiple choice?

Need overview of how ALEKS work - KyleH - 03-28-2011

FinancialWorld Wrote:@KyleH. Since the course is ACE accredited, can't I just have ALEKS send a transcript to TESC? I've never had to send stuff through ACE yet.
No, because Aleks doesn't have a transcript. You have to have them send information to ACE each time you are ready to add the course to the transcript. Otherwise, Aleks automatically deletes your score and it's gone forever.

No, they are not multiple choice. You have to type in the correct answer for each question.

Need overview of how ALEKS work - burbuja0512 - 03-28-2011

FinancialWorld Wrote:300+ hours :eek: Are you sure you didn't mean 30+? I've always liked math and have a pretty good background in Algebra. I've also completed the Saxon math books a few years back (Alg. I & II and Advanced Mathematics). Do you think if I brush up on the topics that I'll have a better chance of passing the assessment? Is the stuff pretty hard?

Yup you read that right. If I remember correctly, when I stopped using ALEKS, it said something like 170 estimated hours and I had mastered 35 of 230 topics. (not exact numbers but something like that)

The trick to doing it quickly is when you already know the material. It was teaching me brand new stuff and doing a good job, I might add. lol I just am not good at College Algebra and when it teaches you something, it makes you go through a series of practice problems something like this: You answer 3 correctly, and you move on. If you answer one right you have to keep doing it and doing it until you get the 3 in a row. Then, when you log on the next day, before ALEX will teach you something new, you have to answer the same type of problem again just in case you forgot.

So... it's a great system, but for the math-impaired like myself, it was painfully slow. If you go on and ace the assessment, you'll never go through any of this. You'll just pass and be done with it. I read all the time here about people that have finished ALEKS in just a few hours. I just wanted to post for others that have struggled with it.

Need overview of how ALEKS work - FinancialWorld - 03-28-2011

When you take the assessment, is it timed? How many questions are usually in the assessments (or if anyone know, how many are in Inter. Algebra)?

Need overview of how ALEKS work - ryoder - 03-28-2011

There might be about 30 questions in the assessment. It is untimed.
You can use mathway.com and other internet resources to help you out.
Also, take notes by printing the answers to the questions while in learning mode using a pdf print driver. You can dowload cutepdf to do this.

With your admin account, you can request an assessment at any time. Do this when you are ready to test but no sooner. The system will test you when you move through enough learning exercises. Just try it out for a while and you will learn all of this.

Need overview of how ALEKS work - FinancialWorld - 03-29-2011

Is the assessment open book? It seems like it is.

Thanks for you help everyone.

Need overview of how ALEKS work - ryoder - 03-29-2011

Sorry I meant thirty plus hours for a course.