Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How do students benefit from College Prep Math?

1. College Prep Math is designed to help students succeed in and prepare for all college math classes. College Prep Math classes incorporate a number of different learning styles and methods. In every course, the following are incorporated:

   Mini-lectures - Time reserved for the professor to present material, work problems, and help the students build connections between concepts.

   Group Work - Time set aside for classmates to work together on activities that lead into the next lesson or follow up on the previous lesson. Some of these activities also involve manipulatives (objects that students touch and move to help learn concepts). Working in a group setting often helps students learn more effectively. Explaining mathematics to others helps students solidify their understanding of the mathematics. Hearing explanations from classmates gives group members a different view of the material; and spending time working through concepts helps students retain the subject matter.

   Class Time Work - Students will also have time to work on math problems prior to leaving class. This will allow students time to ask questions and make sure they understand the ideas before doing homework outside the classroom.

   Study Skills - Because good study habits are essential for success in a math class, students will be introduced to study skills that can make their study time more effective.

Q:   Why are there four College Prep Math classes?

1. At OCCC, the goal is for each math student to start in a class that is not too hard and not too easy. Students may not be required to take all four classes; placement tests taken to help determine where each student should start.

Q:   If a student has already taken a placement test or math course at a different college, why won't OCCC accept those results?

1. College Prep Math classes are organized in a way that allows the student to learn about math with numbers while learning about math with variables (letters). Students will also work with critical concepts in several classes at increasing levels of depth. Most other colleges and placement tests are not organized this way. However, the Math Assessment and Placement (MAP) test at OCCC is aligned to help place students in the correct class.

Q:   If students have taken the Math Assessment and Placement (MAP) test, but think they should  be in a higher class than their placement, what should they do?

1. A re-test can be taken for a small fee. Students who wish to re-test are encouraged to spend time reviewing math problems prior to the re-test in order to bring this information to the forefront of their minds. Review material and math tutors are also available in the OCCC Math Lab on the second floor of the main building.

Q:   How can students complete their math requirements in a timely manner?

1. OCCC offers all four College Prep Math classes and all three General Education college level classes (College Algebra, Statistics, and Contemporary Math) in 8-week versions to allow students the opportunity to complete two math classes per semester. Thus, all four College Prep Math classes (if all four are needed) and a General Education college level class can be completed in one calendar year.