College math...Help?

<p>Hello, this may get a bit confusing, so please bear with me. I'm new to this site and I don't know if I posted this in the right section.
Basically, I need your opinion, advice, or anything that may be of help to me in making this decision.
I'm an incoming freshman who has already taken placement exams. I didn't do well on my placement exams. For Math I scored a score that is fit to take Mathematical modeling. However, since that is for non-science and Math majors they recommend that I take Intermediate Math. They say I can take College Algebra if I want, but they will not be responsible if I fail. I understand that and I see what they mean, but my problem is the scheduling of all of this, based on the requirements for my major: <a href="https://www.chemistry.gsu.edu/docs/Ana-PhysChem-Schedule.pdf"&gt;https://www.chemistry.gsu.edu/docs/Ana-PhysChem-Schedule.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>I'm going to break it down the best I can:</p>

<p>1st sem- Intermediate Math and Intro to Chemistry
the second semester and summer semester would be the classes you see in that link. That's only if I take the placement exam a second time and manage to score high enough to skip over college algebra and take pre-calculus. The same would be the case if I just went ahead, took a risk, and take College Algebra. This seems ideal, since there is no guarantee that I will pass the placement exam with a high enough score to skip college Algebra. Then I would be further behind, and I don't want that.</p>

<p>A friend of mine is going to a different school and she didn't have to take placement exams. They placed her based on her SAT scores, I'm fairly confident in my ability to do well in College Algebra, since when I took the first exam I hadn't seen Math in five months. I also have a friend who is willing to help me and my college has many resources. I have been weighing the pros and cons for weeks, but it seems like I have been going around in circles with myself and it is almost time to register for classes. </p>

<p>I know it is a lot, but based on all this I would appreciate it if you could give me any piece of advice as help. I really need it. Thank you! :) </p>

<p>*This seems ideal, BUT since there is no guarantee that I will pass the placement exam with a high enough score to skip college Algebra I am caught in a dilemma. </p>

<p>*That’s only if I take the placement exam a second time and manage to score high enough to skip over college algebra and take pre-calculus. (After taking Intermediate Math)</p>

<p>I’m trying to follow as best I can, so please let me know if something I say isn’t quite what you were looking for. Is there anyway to take the placement test again prior to signing up? Regardless, I do recommend taking the College Algebra as opposed to skipping it, particularly if you are unsure you have the skills necessary to move on to higher math and you are okay taking pre-calc in the summer.</p>

<p>This is not the ideal place to post this (perhaps your school’s page would be better? see “colleges and universities”), but most people post all things they are unsure about here, even outside of admissions.</p>

<p>And if you are confident in your Intermediate math skills, i would move on</p>

<p>I haven’t taken a math class in five months or prepared in anyway for the exam (due to me being misinformed), so taking the exam again at this time would give me the same results. I’ll try to rephrase, I know it was confusing: </p>

<p>College Algebra is the course that I am unsure if I should go into because I didn’t score high enough the first time. The college wants to put me in Intermediate Math or another math course, these are optional. I feel that College Algebra would put me on the right course and I can take whatever extra courses I need to take over the summer. However, if I were to take Intermediate Algebra,I would be a class behind the schedule. At this point the question is: Will intermediate math prepare me enough for the placement exam so that I am able to skip over college Algebra and take pre-cal second semester. </p>

<p>Thanks you so much for your help and I understand if you can’t come up with an answer to this. </p>

<p>Okay, I understand now. Let me get back to you on this… perhaps in the meantime someone more helpful will come along</p>

<p>Disclaimer: How accurate this advice is may depend on your school.</p>

<p>I would take the intermediate math class. Generally if you’re placed into a certain math class, it’s better for you to take the recommended class and be sure you’re prepared for later math classes. The main exception I can think of to this is if you’re literally only a point or two away from the next math class…in which case, that’s your call if your school lets you pick which one to enroll in. I can’t tell if that’s your situation or not from your posts. And hey, if you’re really ready for the higher math class, this class should be easier for you anyway and will reinforce the foundational math you’ll need.</p>

<p>Another thing to think about is this: If you jump to college algebra this fall and fail it, what happens? Wouldn’t you have to retake it and end up taking college algebra in the spring anyway? So if it turns out you weren’t ready for college algebra, you’ll end up where you potentially would’ve been after intermediate math anyway. Ultimately it’s your call, but think of all potential outcomes before deciding.</p>

<p>Also, what exactly does intermediate math cover, as opposed to college algebra? Looking at the course topics and past syllabi (if you can find them) could help your decision.</p>

<p>I’d suggest taking the intermediate class and catching up with a course in the summer if you had to. I’ve learned its not the calculus aspects that make Calc 1/2 the hardest, its the algebra and trig you need to know to rearrange stuff so you can apply the calculus aspects. </p>