CLEP Calculus

[gatetwelve]

Since this thread seems to have some staying power, I thought I'd resurrect it and and give some information that I was looking for while studying for the Calculus Clep. I passed Calculus CLEP about 2 hours ago with a 61. When I was taking practice exams, I was looking for score comparisons (REA vs. Actual CLEP) to compare difficulty, so, here they are:

• REA Test 1 (taken 3 weeks ago): 36
  
• CollegeBoard 2006 study guide (taken 2 weeks ago): 62
  
• CollegeBoard 2012/2013 guide (taken 3 days ago): 58
  
• REA Test 2 (taken yesterday): 44 - yes, I still went through with taking the CLEP even after that score.
  

Overall, I feel the REA tests are quite a bit harder than the actual CLEP. The calculus is pretty similar, but REA seems to use more complicated equations which will require more steps, which cover a wider knowledge base, which presents a lot of opportunity for mistakes. My scores from the CollegeBoard study guides were pretty accurate for my actual test.

My Background:
I'm generally good at math, but I have not taken a math class since 2005. And that was high school algebra. I CLEPed college algebra last year after a LOT of heavy studying. I have never taken geometry or trigonometry. I know being positive and encouraging is always appreciated, but the biggest help I can give to someone who is in my situation is to be kind of a wet blanket: if you haven't taken (or CLEPed) the prerequisite classes (advanced algebra, trigonometry, geometry, and maybe even pre-calc, DO NOT TRY TO CLEP CALCULUS. I know there are those who didn't take these classes and passed this CLEP (myself included), but trust me, it isn't worth it. I would have spent less time, effort, and stress by just taking the class.

That being said, my studying included, and I really recommend:

• Calculus for Dummies
  
• Calculus Workbook for Dummies
  
• REA - CLEP Calculus
  
• 2006, 2012/2013 CollegeBoard Study Guides
  
• wolframalpha.com - I can't recommend this any more highly. It will perform integration (definite and indefinite), derivatives, and everything else in between. With the $2.99 "Pro" subscription it will give you unlimited STEP-BY-STEP solutions to whatever you type in. Can't figure why the correct answer is the correct answer? WolframAlpha will show you step by step.
  

What I DON'T recommend:

• The MIT OpenCourseWare videos - they are intensive, and are not aligned with the CLEP material. They're good, but not efficient for learning the CLEP.
  
• The Peterson's practice tests - there are so many errors and mistakes that I spent more time error-checking basic math steps than learning. Huge waste of money. They should be ashamed.
  

Good luck, guys.