The Precalculus CLEP consists of two sections. Section one has 25 questions, for which you will be given 50 minutes and allowed to use a graphing calculator. Section two has 23 questions and does not allow any calculators, with 40 minutes given to complete that section. Both sections are comprised mostly of multiple-choice questions, but also include some fill-in-the-blank questions. The two sections will include a distribution of questions from six areas of precalculus.
Questions in this area test your ability to solve absolute value, exponential, linear, logarithmic, quadratic, polynomial, rational, radical and trigonometric equations and inequalities, and comprise approximately 20 percent of the test -- about 9 or 10 questions. A representative sample would be to choose the correct answer for (x+3+2y)(3x+2+y) from a list of four possible solutions.
This section covers your knowledge of the concepts and general properties of functions, functional notation and using functions to perform symbolic operations like evaluation and analysis. A sample question would ask students to identify the period and amplitude of f(x)=2+12cos(10x)cos(9) - 12sin(10x)sin(9). Expect 15 percent of the questions -- 6 or 7 -- to be on these topics.
Questions in this area test your ability to recognize basic functions like square roots, polynomials and quadratics in symbolic, graphical and tabular form. A typical question would show a specific function in symbolic form and ask the student to pick the graphical representation that matches. The Representation of Functions sections of the CLEP Precalculus takes up 30 percent of the test, or around 14 or 15 problems.
Between four and five -- or 10 percent -- of the questions will cover analytic geometry, your understanding of basic concepts and equations for circles, ellipses, lines, hyperbolas and parabolas. A question might instruct the student to use the midpoint formula to determine the midpoint of a line joining point (-2,4) and (4, 8).
This section tests your understanding of sines, cosines and tangents, along with the various functions, inverse functions, ratios and identities they interact with. A question in this section might identify the angle at which a driver observed a distant object from two different points, then ask the student to calculate the distance between the driver and the object at either point. About 15 percent -- or 6 or 7 questions -- of the test will be specifically on these topics. However, CLEP resources at Collegeboard.com note that many of the other sections will use trigonometric notation and concepts within the aegis of their subject.
The remaining 4 or 5 -- 10 percent -- questions of the CLEP Precalculus tests the student's conceptual understanding of how functions represent how math works in the world. These questions will ask the student to identify or translate a concept between a description of a situation and a symbolic, graphical or tabular representation and function. A typical question might give the opening balance, interest rate and term of an investment and ask the student to graph its value over time.