The rule-of-thumb is that under normal circumstances a college student will spend approximately two hours outside of class for every hour in class. Of course, there is a great deal of variability. For some courses, this total time may come near the end when a major paper is due. For the typical math course the time spent is probably more uniform throughout the course. Also, depending upon the student, there can be a large variability. Indeed, it is the wise student that balances his or her course-load with courses that take less than then the nominal time with those that take more!

In addition, a given student may discover that he or she takes more or less than the nominal time depending upon background, ability, interest, etc.

The Algebra Readiness Test is an attempt to help you understand what will be involved for your time investment.

There is an underlying statement that it is important to understand:

Generally, the students that fail to pass the course, are those that miss class, do not turn in homework, give up, try to race through the material because of a looming deadline, do not communicate with the teacher, etc.

Anyone, with an high school Algebra I background can pass—perhaps not with an A grade—but anyone can pass! However, with a weak foundation, the time necessary may be considerably longer than the nominal time.

The table gives a rough indication of the expected grade based upon the number of correct answers to the above test and the amount of time you will spend in study for this class. This table is based upon rough feeling as to the result. It has not been "calibrated." The grades are not "promises." Simply spending time is not a guarantee of a particular outcome.

There are other possible factors this simplistic table does not address. As examples, if you take longer than 30 minutes in completing the test, then the grade estimate is probably high; that is, you would need to spend more time each week for a particular grade. If you missed a question because you never had been exposed rather than because it has been several years and you forgot, then the grade estimate probably is also too high.

The important lesson to learn from this is that you can pass College Algebra! If you are willing to spend the time, view the class presentations, ask questions of the teacher or tutor, do all the homework problems, do all the extra credit problems, and work the end-of-chapter problems in preparation for each test, then passing should not be a question!

And, please, do not expect to spend the total time the night before the final exam! You need to set a schedule that paces you along a steady progress through the material.