Remedial math

[CptLJones]

Hello, thank you in advance for answering my question. I'm starting community college in June, and i can't decide if i should study on Khan Academy for the next two months to take a placement exam to try to skip college algebra into trig, or should i take the placement exam sooner and possibly end up in a remedial math course (whatever is lower than College Algebra). Would med schools look down on taking remedial math courses? opinions please.

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[OchemOficionado]

If you want to save time and money, do the Khan Academy thing.

Not saying you should hope to be placed low, but if get As in the remedial classes it can only help your sGPA.

 

[blackroses]

Hello, thank you in advance for answering my question. I'm starting community college in June, and i can't decide if i should study on Khan Academy for the next two months to take a placement exam to try to skip college algebra into trig, or should i take the placement exam sooner and possibly end up in a remedial math course (whatever is lower than College Algebra). Would med schools look down on taking remedial math courses? opinions please.

I was in the same boat with you. Knowing how terrible I am at math, I elected to take a remedial course, as I felt that self-studying simply wouldn't be effective enough for me. As for adcoms looking down on it... I can't imagine they care at what level you go into college as long as you come out the other side prepared for med school.

 

[Lawpy]

Hello, thank you in advance for answering my question. I'm starting community college in June, and i can't decide if i should study on Khan Academy for the next two months to take a placement exam to try to skip college algebra into trig, or should i take the placement exam sooner and possibly end up in a remedial math course (whatever is lower than College Algebra). Would med schools look down on taking remedial math courses? opinions please.

I think some schools still require calculus (get the MSAR to find out which). And many require statistics. In either case, you should try to avoid taking remedial courses. Bypass college algebra by excelling in the placement exam. Khan Academy is an excellent resource, so use it religiously.

 

[blackroses]

I think some schools still require calculus (get the MSAR to find out which). And many require statistics. In either case, you should try to avoid taking remedial courses. Bypass college algebra by excelling in the placement exam. Khan Academy is an excellent resource, so use it religiously.

There are still a few schools that require calculus, however they are in the overwhelming minority at this point. Schools have definitely made a push to start requiring statistics instead of calculus (I say this as a math-challenged individual who spent many neurotic hours researching it).

EDIT: as of 2 years ago, only 11 schools required calculus.

 

[Lawpy]

There are still a few schools that require calculus, however they are in the overwhelming minority at this point. Schools have definitely made a push to start requiring statistics instead of calculus (I say this as a math-challenged individual who spent many neurotic hours researching it).

Yeah statistics is critical. I think in either case, taking more math courses than needed isn't necessary. If OP can bypass one course via placement exam, they should do it for sure. It would be a pain to go from remedial to college algebra to trig to stats (and whatever math requirements needed for graduation).

 

[blackroses]

Yeah statistics is critical. I think in either case, taking more math courses than needed isn't necessary. If OP can bypass one course via placement exam, they should do it for sure. It would be a pain to go from remedial to college algebra to trig to stats (and whatever math requirements needed for graduation).

Agreed. It all depends on exactly how much they struggle with math - if it's not horrible, self-study and test out of it. If your math skills truly are atrocious and you don't really feel you can self-study, there's no harm in taking the remedial course.

 

[CptLJones]

Unfortunately my Psychology major requires me to take calculus, but i now need statistics too? oh dang, i just feel like i won't prepair myself well enough to skip the class. not saying that i can't, but if i do well and skip the class, i'm worried i won't excel in the class i skip to due to poor self teaching. I HAVE to get A's, i cannot afford to make the mistake of biting off more than i can chew. maybe i'm worrying to much about it. thank you all for the comments

 

[darkeon]

Keep in mind that at some schools, remedial courses offer no credits so your As wouldn't be calculated into your gpa. (Such courses would be mainly a P/F type anyways)

 

[Geo16]

You may study for it, but don't try to rush it. I'd say try to climb up the ladder 🙂 Failed 2 math courses because I wanted to rush into "real" math (i.e. Calculus).
Just take up to Trig and Stats (in most colleges, both require algebra)!

 

[Davidgomez0100]

Hello, thank you in advance for answering my question. I'm starting community college in June, and i can't decide if i should study on Khan Academy for the next two months to take a placement exam to try to skip college algebra into trig, or should i take the placement exam sooner and possibly end up in a remedial math course (whatever is lower than College Algebra). Would med schools look down on taking remedial math courses? opinions please.

I started in pre-algebra at my Jr. College.
I'm about to finish my first year of CC and I'm taking Stats in the Summer.
Math is very fun and it helped me to take it from the bottom since I never really tried in Middle/High school maths.
If you can do the Khan Academy thing go for it.
The good thing about Stats is that they offer the course during Summer's and Winter's very often.

I would suggest skipping though!!! lots more to worry about later!! Best of luck