Testing out of college classes, particularly with required core courses where you might already know much of the information, makes sense for a number of reasons. Let’s look at five facts related to testing out of college, and use college algebra as a common example to put the facts in context.

Fact One: There are Required Courses

There are certain core classes that are required for every degree. For the majority of degrees from most colleges, algebra is a required subject. For some students, algebra will be the most difficult core course to take. Which leads to Fact Number Two:

Fact Two: College Algebra is the Leading Academic Cause of Drop Outs

More students fail to get a degree or drop out of college due to algebra than for any other academic reason. At the City University of New York, for example, 57% didn’t pass the mandated college algebra class. Overall, because of difficulties with college math classes, only 58% of students in the U.S. continue on to get their B.A. On top of academic reasons for drop-outs, there is also Fact Number Three:

Fact Three: Credits Are Expensive

In the 2014-2015 school year three hours of college algebra at the University of Connecticut cost $1,761 for an in-state student, and nearly $1000 more than that for out-of-state students. Most four-year public colleges have similar pricing. Which is why Fact Number Four is of interest:

Fact Four: Testing out is much cheaper

A CLEP exam for college algebra costs $80, so you skip the high per credit expense. Using a prep program like Achieve Test Prep to study for the algebra exam, you can avoid the time and all the coursework involved in a traditional semester class. Instead you take one exam and get the same credit in as little as four weeks. Save money and save time. Fact Number Five shows why those savings concerning college algebra really make sense:

Fact Five: Few ever use college algebra

In the U.S., less than one fourth of all workers use anything more than basic math. Do nurses even use algebra? Searching nursing forums where that question is asked, the general consensus is that basic algebra might be used in figuring dosages, but advanced algebra, not so much. Quite a few nurses say they never use algebra, nor do they know any nurse that does.

What Do The 5 Facts Tell Us?

Though college algebra was used here, many courses fit these facts. College algebra is just one example of required classes that you may find less than useful. Why spend an entire semester on a college class you may never use?

With Achieve’s credit-by-exam prep courses, you don’t waste time studying what you already know. Instead you are able concentrate on sections that give you trouble, and you are able to get prepared for the exam in a fraction of the time it would take in a traditional class, for a fraction of the cost. You can take the prep classes on location at one of the many conveniently located campuses we have across the country, or you can take live interactive online classes taught by the same qualified instructors from the comfort of your own home. Testing out just makes sense. And using Achieve to make sure you are successful in testing out of college classes makes the most sense.

Contact Achieve Test Prep today for more information or visit http://www.achievetestprep.com/bloggd.