Totally Freaking Out! :(

The COMPASS test is a placement test to determine what math classes you need to take. Your nursing program will probably require at least college algebra and maybe statistics. If you don't test well you may have to take one or more remedial math classes before you can take the ones you really need. (Check with your advisor. This is just the experience I had at my school.) I was not "friends" with math either, and had been out of HS for almost 30 years, but was determined not to have to take remedial math. I used an ebook, Algebra Demystified, available at http://www.mathxp.com to study before taking my COMPASS and tested into college algebra. (You will have to find some additional resources to learn graphing linear equations as the book does not cover it. I recommend http://www.purplemath.com.) Or, if you would rather review HS math skills in a classroom setting go ahead and take the COMPASS now and you will probably place in a class that will be in line with your current skill level. It all depends on how you learn best. Having a good foundation early on will help you succeed in future courses, even if it takes an additional semester. Good Luck and welcome to allnurses.

M

Thanks.

I will probably just take the test with whatever knowledge I have in my head, so I can determine exactly what level of math I am at. I will start taking math classes at a local adult ed place.

I had a really horrible teacher in the first grade, and since I hated her, I hated the class, and it just went down from there I think. I had a bad foundation, and couldnt build anything on it.

FORGET your previous experiences with math!!!! I did so bad in HS Algebra 1 that my mother made me take it again as she knew that I'd never do well in Algebra 2 with the grades I got. (Let's face it, there are much more fun things to focus on in your teens than Algebra!) I was scared to death enrolling in a college math class at 45 years old, but it was really FUN! Maturity makes a ton of difference and I had a good reason to do well. I want to get into nursing school! I missed one question on one test. You will be surprised at how much better you do now then in HS and how much more sense it all makes.

M

When I entered college, 20 years out of high school (only took general math there) I took the compass test and placed into pre-algebra. I had to take pre-algebra, algebra 1 and 2 got A's in all three classes. Then decided to go the the University and had to take the compass again well I placed into algebra 2. On the first day of class the teacher gave a test to see what we knew. He recommended that I go back and take Algebra 1 again but I promised him I would get an A and I did. Since then I have taken 3 college math classes and received 2 A's and 1 B.

Believe me you can do well in math just use the instructor's study guide and do the problems over and over till you get it and utilize other resources like tutoring or video tapes from your schools library.

As for the NLN I just took it in June. I thought the math was pretty easy but there were 50 problems and only 1 hour to complete. I completed 40 problems and thought I got about 38 right .......wrong I scored really low on math but I passed cause I scored really high on the verbal section.

Good Luck!

I myself have struggled with math, I also learned it in another country and didn't learn it well (imagine trying to learn math in constant fear) You will have math on the NLN preadmissions exam. Don't let it restrict you from your persuit of what you want. I found these two reference books helped me understand basic math a little better especially for the NLN.

No Fear Math

http://www.amazon.com/No-Fear-Math-All-Basics/dp/1411401328/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/104-8099770-0623936?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1182749500&sr=8-1

This goes to the extreme basics of how to add, subtract, multiply and works it way up to everything about basic math.

Painless Fractions

http://www.amazon.com/Painless-Fractions-Alyece-Cummings/dp/0764134396/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/104-8099770-0623936?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1182749598&sr=1-1

This book gives you every single possible way to solve a fraction.

Go take that COMPASS test, see what happens, if you end up taking remedial math, it can only help you not harm you

Check with the college first to see their policy on taking the compass. Some schools will only allow you to take it once so you want to be sure that is not the case with yours before you take it and bomb the math portion.

The math portion on the compass test is not too bad. I did not pass the first two times, but after taking a college math prep course, I passed. Brush up on your prealgebra and into algebra stuff and you should do fine.

They just want to make sure that when you are in the nursing program, that your math skills can keep up with what they are teaching. Better to be safe, then to get into the class then have no clue what to do!