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<p>I have a hard time remembering when I last saw anything that involves accounting (tax form, balance sheet, income statement) that involves even high school or SAT level algebra (of course, geometry is not present either). Seems like accounting does not really require much of the math found on the SAT, but does require being able to accurately do arithmetic and notice errors when when doing so with calculators or computers.</p>
<p>Actually, I think that high school algebra is pretty useful for working with spreadsheets – I mean, its pretty useful to be able to write an equation as well as merely add and subtract numbers. But I would agree that accounting doesn’t usually involve too much beyond algebra.</p>
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<p>What math courses has she taken so far?</p>
<p>If she has completed precalculus, she may want to check her knowledge with this precalculus test:
[Calculus</a> Placement Exam | Department of Mathematics at University of California Berkeley](<a href=“http://math.berkeley.edu/courses/choosing/placement-exam]Calculus”>http://math.berkeley.edu/courses/choosing/placement-exam)
If the school she is considering has its own similar test, she may want to take a look at that as well.</p>
<p>If she has completed calculus or higher math, score on the AP test and inspection of old final exams at the college she will enroll at or is considering enrolling at can help see where she is at. Examples may be found here (Math 1A and 1B are freshman calculus; Math 53, 54, and 55 are sophomore level math):
[Exams</a> | Department of Mathematics at University of California Berkeley](<a href=“http://math.berkeley.edu/courses/archives/exams]Exams”>Exams | Department of Mathematics)</p>
<p>My husband was a math major in college and eventually got a Ph.D. in math.</p>
<p>He has told me that what I think of as math – I got only as far as a year of calculus and a single statistics course – is not what actually goes on in the curriculum studied by math majors. As you get beyond calculus, math becomes increasingly abstract. Thus, some people who liked math in high school do not like the type of math in the math major (and probably vice versa, except that people who did not like math in high school never get that far).</p>
<p>So planning to major in math is fine, but it might be nice to explore at least one other interest as well, just in case the math major becomes less appealing as time goes on.</p>
<p>""Seems like accounting does not really require much of the math found on the SAT, but does require being able to accurately do arithmetic and notice errors when when doing so with calculators or computers. "</p>
<p>All kinds of algebra. Figuring out problems. Making inferences. Finding the error. Just like the math found on the SAT. I doubt there is a subject that’s closer. Certainly not abstract math. Certainly not any subject that requires calculus.</p>
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<p>Having taught all three classes (Accounting, Calculus, Physics) and who often assists with SAT/ACT prep I’ll just agree to disagree. I do not consider Accounting math dependent in the same way, but of course, it uses math. I could easily see how one who didn’t do well on the SAT/ACT math could still do well in Accounting. Accounting isn’t even a math credit at our high school.</p>
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<p>With this tidbit of info along with her thoughts of actuarial studies, I’d say let her try if she wants to.</p>
<p>I can easily see how someone who doesn’t do well on the SAT can do well in Calculus (and hence abstract math). There is NO abstract math on the SAT. There is lots of problem-solving, find the error, rule out impossible answers, make inferences, apply formulas, and computation. Guess what happens in college accounting (and in what accountants actually do).</p>
<p>Of course, my anecdotal point is precisely the opposite. My kid doesn’t do well on those standardized assessments. She was top of her class, in accounting, did miserably on the GMAT, and is close to the top of her class in graduate school, and has a job where she beat out several hundred applicants, most of whom likely had better math SAT scores. Go figure.</p>
<p>I guess S was very lucky he was able to convince his advisor to waive his chem requirement for EE in consideration of the 60 credits he entered his university with. That was probably one of the few benefits he got for all of those credits. S did not like chem in 10th grade & was happy not to have to take it again–too bad because he probably would have enjoyed it IF it had been taught better. Oh well, he likes EE & could learn whatever he wants/needs about chem when he chooses.</p>
<p>“Her freshman year was mostly C’s, she has done very well since. She is a hard worker, and she is intelligent . . .” She has done well since she was 14. She has demonstrated that she has the work ethic now. She will be fine. If she likes the school, let her go there.</p>
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<p>Let’s not confuse accounting with bookkeeping.</p>