CLEP College Mathematics study guide
CLEP College Mathematics · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The College Mathematics exam is a standardized test offered through the College Board's CLEP program. It assesses knowledge typically acquired in a college-level mathematics course designed for nonmathematics majors and majors in fields that do not require advanced mathematics. The CLEP College Mathematics study guide has 7 sections and about 2,941 words.
01Algebra and Functions
The Algebra and Functions domain of the CLEP College Mathematics exam asks you to manipulate expressions, solve equations and inequalities, work fluently with function notation, and model real situations with linear, quadratic, and exponential functions. Questions are short but reward precision: most wrong answers come from a single sign slip or a misread domain restriction rather than from deep theory.
473 words, about 2 min02Counting and Probability
The Counting and Probability domain tests whether you can count outcomes systematically and convert those counts into probabilities. Expect the fundamental counting principle, permutations versus combinations, arrangements with repeated items, probability rules for unions, complements, and conditional events, and expected value.
370 words, about 2 min03Data Analysis and Statistics
The Data Analysis and Statistics domain tests how well you summarize a data set, describe its spread, use the normal distribution, and judge association between variables. Questions often present a small list of numbers or a description of a distribution and ask which summary is appropriate or which conclusion is justified.
456 words, about 2 min04Financial Mathematics
The Financial Mathematics domain applies percentage reasoning to money: percent change, markups and discounts, simple and compound interest, effective rates, savings plans, and loan payments. The arithmetic is easy, so the marks are lost on timing conventions and on treating rates as if they add.
407 words, about 2 min05Geometry
The Geometry domain covers plane figures, solids, and coordinate geometry. You are expected to compute perimeter, area, volume, and surface area, apply angle relationships, use the Pythagorean theorem and special right triangles, and work with slope, distance, and midpoints on the coordinate plane.
410 words, about 2 min06Logic and Sets
The Logic and Sets domain combines set notation and Venn-diagram counting with truth-functional logic. You need to compute the sizes of unions, intersections, and complements, and to judge whether a compound statement or an argument form is valid.
402 words, about 2 min07Numbers
The Numbers domain tests fluency with the real number system: order of operations, signed arithmetic, absolute value, factors and multiples, primes, fractions, exponents, radicals, scientific notation, ratios, and unit conversion. These questions are the most computational on the exam, so most errors come from sign handling and from skipped conversion steps.
423 words, about 2 min