Note: Students who need only a "non-math majors" math credit (like liberal arts math) in college, may want to consider taking the CLEP College Mathematics exam instead of the College Algebra test.

CLEP algebra exam description and sample questions


PRIMARY SOURCES:

Algebra 1 at HippoCampus
Prentice Hall Mathematics Books companion site - click on the link to the book you need (Algebra 1 or 2). From there you can access dozens of "Homework Video Tutors," quizzes, tests, and even an end-of-course exam.
Elementary Algebra Textbook
CK-12 Algebra 1 Textbook
CK-12 Algebra 1 Teacher's Edition
Khan Academy - Scroll down the page for a section with dozens of videos that correspond with the CK-12 Algebra book
Algebra 1 worksheets
Algebra 2 worksheets


ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

Algebra: In Simplest Terms, video lectures
MathTV Algebra video lessons
Learn Without Limits, Algebra 1 Textbook Problems and Answers
Virtual Math Lab's Beginning Algebra
Virtual Math Lab's Intermediate Algebra
Virtual Math Lab's College Algebra
Math for Morons Like Us, Algebra 2
CliffsNotes Algebra 2
Pink Monkey Algebra Study Guide
SparkNotes Mathematics Study Guides (Includes Algebra 1 & 2)
College Algebra Tutorial
CLEP Algebra


TESTING PRACTICE AND FINAL EXAM:

Short practice tests
Practice tests, study guides, and End-of-Course Exam, Algebra 1
Sample tests and End-of-Course Exam, Algebra 2



The CLEP Algebra Test Outline

The following is a breakdown of the topics covered by the CLEP test for Algebra. Keep this outline handy during your studies and make notes for each portion of the exam, for reviewing later.

25% Algebraic operations

Factoring and expanding polynomials

Operations with algebraic expressions

Operations with exponents

Properties of logarithms

25% Equations and inequalities

Linear equations and inequalities

Quadratic equations and inequalities

Absolute value equations and inequalities

Systems of equations and inequalities

Exponential and logarithmic equations

30% Functions and their properties*

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

20% Number systems and operations

Real numbers

Complex numbers

Sequences and series

Factorials and Binomial Theorem

Determinants of 2-by-2 matrices

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


Recommended Course of Study

Note: Algebra 1 and 2 sources are included here to ensure coverage of concepts that may be found on the CLEP (college level) test. High school students who are not planning to take the CLEP may use Algebra 1 resources only to complete a one-year algebra course as high school credit.

Choose one of the algebra textbooks as your main source. Work through the book, using the lectures found at the HippoCampus algebra website to help you understand each concept. Visit the Prentice Hall site for video lessons, and practice quizzes. In addition, print the worksheets found at the Kuta software site to reinforce your learning. The other sources are provided for further studying, if needed. (If, for instance, you find you are struggling with one textbook, try a different book to see if it better suits your learning style.) Finish the course with the practice tests and the final End-of-Course exams.