CLEP Precalculus

What Is on the CLEP Precalculus Test?

The Precalculus CLEP test has 48 total questions, which are split into two sections. Section 1 lasts about 50 minutes and has 25 questions that can be answered with the aid of an on-screen graphing calculator. Section 2 is around 40 minutes and has 23 questions that must be answered without a calculator. Test content is divided into six knowledge and skill areas including Algebraic Expressions, Equations, and Inequalities; Functions: Concept, Properties, and Operations; Representations of Functions: Symbolic, Graphical, and Tabular; Analytic Geometry; Trigonometry and its Applications; and Functions as Models. Test questions are either multiple-choice or require number entry, and test takers have 90 minutes to complete the exam.

Algebraic Expressions, Equations, and Inequalities

This knowledge and skill area of the Precalculus CLEP test is worth 20% of the total score and covers topics such as algebraic expressions (including how to simplify, add, and complete other operations with them) and various types of equations (e.g., linear). Test takers must be able to work through both inequalities and systems of equations (e.g., quadratic).

Functions: Concept, Properties, and Operations

The next knowledge and skill area for the Precalculus CLEP is worth about 15% of the overall exam and focuses on functions. Questions require knowledge of their characteristics and attributes, such as the range, along with how to write functions. Examinees will also have to know how to evaluate function equations and find inverses.

Representations of Functions: Symbolic, Graphical, and Tabular

This area of knowledge and skills is worth around 30% of the CLEP Pre Calc test. Questions cover the topic of functions demonstrated in different ways, including with symbols (i.e., algebraically) and graphs. Examinees must also know properties, like a function's extrema and intervals. Exam questions test students on their ability to identify and transform a variety of functions such as trigonometric (e.g., sine and cosine) or quadratic.

Analytic Geometry

This knowledge and skill area of the CLEP Pre Calc test contributes around 10% to the overall exam score. Test takers must show their ability to understand and use principles of coordinate geometry when solving certain problems. Questions include demonstrating knowledge of algebraic and geometrical concepts with different shapes, objects, and curves.

Trigonometry and its Applications

The following knowledge and skill area of the CLEP exam Precalculus test contributes about 15% to the exam's score. Questions include topics on the trigonometric functions (e.g., tangent), the corresponding inverse functions (e.g., arctangent), respective ratios to solve right-angled triangles, and common identities/formulas (e.g., Pythagorean identity). Trigonometry concepts are not limited to a single section of the exam, as they are necessary for problems in other sections.

Functions as Models

This next knowledge and skill area of the CLEP Precalculus test is worth around 10% of the total examination score. Test takers must have knowledge of the wider applications of functions and what they can represent and indicate. Questions also require test takers to understand and analyze functions that are modeled in various ways, such as through written rules or with a graph.