On the College Algebra Review Test, you can expect to find material taught in a one-semester college algebra class. Most often, this test consists of about 60 questions that need to be answered in a 90-minute time frame. About 50 percent of the exam contains straightforward, routine Algebra questions, and the other half requires test takers to demonstrate a deeper understanding of Algebraic concepts. Some of the topics you can expect to find on the test include: number systems and operations (20 percent of test); basic algebraic operations (25 percent of test); inequalities, linear and quadratic equations and graphs (25 percent of test); as well as algebraic, exponential and logarithmic functions (30 percent of test). In addition, test takers are expected to understand algebraic terms, symbols and notations.
Once you know the topics covered on the test, it's important to familiarize yourself with all the algebraic concepts you will find on the test. If you are currently taking a class to prepare for the test, make sure you have completed and understand all the homework problems you have been assigned. You can also work through additional practice problems that are similar to the ones you will have on the test. It's important to solve these problems as if you were taking the test without using your notes, book or any other assistance. When you are done, check your answers. Many times, textbooks have the answers to the odd problems listed in the back of the book to help you determine if you are on the right track. If you find that you are having difficulty understanding certain types of questions, ask for help from a teacher or peer. If you still don't understand, consider hiring a tutor to help you. Private tutors offer one-on-one help and can often explain things in a different way so that you can better understand the material. You can find a tutor by looking online or even contacting you local area schools or colleges.
Don't try to cram the night before the test; instead, you should be studying a little every day. Relax the evening before the test and go to bed at a reasonable time. If you want to do anything the day before the test, you can review the major concepts and do a few practice problems right before you go to bed. Don't do anything else like talk on the phone or watch TV, but go right to sleep -- this will allow your subconscious mind to work on processing the information while you are sleeping. Make sure you eat a good breakfast with plenty of protein the morning of the test. Leave home ahead of time so that even if you run into traffic, you can get to your test on time. And be sure to take any required ID, paperwork and supplies (pencils, calculator, etc).
When you receive the test, take a deep breath. Do all the problems you know how to do first. If you aren't sure about how to work a problem, skip it and come back to it later. Many times, working through other questions will remind you about how to do the ones you skipped. Doing all the problems you know how to do first will help to maximize your score, because you won't waste time working on things you might not get right anyway and you can make sure you get to all the algebra you know how to do. Stay positive and envision yourself passing the test. You will do much better if you focus on what you know rather than getting upset about the things you don't know.