WGU C960 Help & Answers
The Hardest Course at WGU — and the One With the Longest Retake Wait.
C960 Discrete Mathematics II is widely considered the hardest course in WGU’s entire Computer Science program. It builds directly on C959 Discrete Mathematics I and extends into algorithms, advanced counting, discrete probability, and complex graph theory. Students who found C959 difficult will find C960 significantly harder. One proctored Objective Assessment determines whether you pass — and OA retakes on this course can consume weeks of a term.
Quick Answer
WGU C960 is a 4-credit competency-based course covering searching and sorting algorithms, big-O notation, number theory and cryptography, recursion and induction, advanced counting, discrete probability, and modeling computation. It runs on zyBooks and is assessed via a single proctored Objective Assessment. C959 is a prerequisite. Most students need six to ten weeks. FMMC helps CS students pass C960 and backs all work with an A/B guarantee.
Table of Contents
1) What C960 Covers
C960 covers the algorithmic and probabilistic side of discrete mathematics. Where C959 was about logic and structure, C960 is about counting, probability, and how algorithms behave. The volume and density of new material is significantly higher than C959.
| Topic Area | What It Covers | OA Weight | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Algorithms and Big-O | Searching and sorting algorithms, algorithm complexity, big-O, big-Omega, and big-Theta notation, worst-case analysis | ~20% | Hard |
| Number Theory and Cryptography | Divisibility, modular arithmetic, primes, GCD, Euclidean algorithm, RSA encryption basics | ~15% | Hard |
| Recursion and Advanced Induction | Recursive algorithms, solving recurrences, strong induction, structural induction | ~20% | Very Hard |
| Counting and Discrete Probability | Permutations, combinations, pigeonhole principle, inclusion-exclusion, discrete probability distributions, expected value | ~25% | Very Hard |
| Modeling Computation | Finite state machines, regular expressions, context-free grammars, Turing machine concepts | ~20% | Moderate–Hard |
C960 Is Harder Than Its Description Suggests
Students who passed C959 without difficulty are sometimes surprised by how much harder C960 is. The material volume is larger, the concepts are more abstract, and the OA draws from a wider range of topic areas. Counting problems in particular require choosing between multiple valid-looking approaches — permutations vs combinations, inclusion-exclusion vs direct counting — and selecting the wrong one produces a completely wrong answer with no indication of where the error occurred.
2) Where Students Fail the OA
C960 OA failures are spread across the course more evenly than other WGU math courses, but three areas are responsible for the majority of Not Competent results. All three require both conceptual understanding and accurate multi-step execution.
| Topic | Why Students Fail | Common OA Error |
|---|---|---|
| Counting Problems | Counting problems require identifying whether order matters, whether repetition is allowed, and which counting principle applies. OA questions embed these decisions in word problems where the setup is described in natural language. Students who can apply formulas mechanically but cannot extract the correct setup from a paragraph consistently fail these questions. | Using permutation formula when combination is needed; incorrect application of multiplication principle; not accounting for overcounting in inclusion-exclusion problems |
| Recurrence Relations | Solving recurrence relations requires setting up the relation correctly from a recursive algorithm description, then solving it using the characteristic equation or substitution method. Each step has its own failure points, and a setup error propagates through to a completely wrong answer. | Wrong recurrence equation from algorithm description; incorrect characteristic root identification; failing to apply initial conditions when solving |
| Big-O Analysis | Big-O questions require analyzing algorithm code or a mathematical expression and determining its growth class. Students who memorize common complexities without understanding how to derive them from code struggle when OA questions present unfamiliar algorithm structures. | Incorrect loop iteration count; confusing O(n log n) with O(n²) for nested loops; wrong dominant term when simplifying expressions |
3) The OA: Format and What to Expect
The C960 Objective Assessment is the only graded component. It is proctored, multi-topic, and has no partial credit. OA retakes on C960 carry longer mandatory wait periods than most WGU courses, making first-attempt preparation especially important.
| Element | Details |
|---|---|
| Format | Multiple-choice questions covering all five topic areas. Heavy mix of applied problem-solving and conceptual reasoning. |
| Platform | zyBooks for course content. None of the zyBooks activities are graded toward your pass/fail result. |
| Proctoring | Proctorio browser extension, webcam and screen monitoring active throughout |
| Pre-Assessment (PA) | Unproctored practice exam. Use it to identify weak areas before scheduling the OA. Given the breadth of C960, aim for consistent 80%+ before attempting the OA. |
| Result | Competent (pass) or Not Yet Competent (fail). No partial credit. No letter grade. |
| Retake policy | Mandatory waiting period after each failure — longer than most WGU courses. Multiple failures can consume six to eight weeks of a term on a single course. |
| Coaching Report | Generated after a failed OA. Shows which competency areas you did not pass. Essential for focusing retake preparation on C960’s wide topic spread. |
4) How FMMC Can Help
FMMC helps WGU C960 students work through the most demanding content in WGU’s CS program. Our discrete math experts know where the OA concentrates difficulty and how to prepare for a course with this much material breadth. All work is backed by our A/B guarantee — which at WGU means a Competent result on the OA.
OA Preparation
We work through all C960 topic areas with emphasis on counting, recurrences, and big-O where most students lose OA points. We use your PA results to identify and target weak areas before you schedule the exam.
Retake Recovery
Failed the OA? Share your Coaching Report. Given C960’s breadth, the report is critical — it tells us exactly which areas to target before your retake window opens. Contact us with your report.
A/B Guarantee
All C960 work is backed by our A/B grade guarantee. At WGU that means Competent on the OA. If we work with you and you do not pass, we make it right.
Stuck on C960 or running out of term?
Tell us where you are in the material, your PA score, and your term end date. If you have a Coaching Report, share that too. C960 retake delays are long — the sooner you reach out, the more options you have. Contact us →
Need Help With WGU C960?
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5) Frequently Asked Questions
How hard is WGU C960?
C960 is consistently ranked as the hardest course in WGU’s Computer Science program. The material volume is high, the topic areas are diverse, and several sections — particularly counting and recurrences — require a level of abstract reasoning that most students have not practiced before. Students who found C959 challenging should plan for C960 to take significantly longer.
Does C959 need to be completed before C960?
Yes. C959 Discrete Mathematics I is a prerequisite for C960. The logic, induction, and graph theory foundations from C959 are assumed knowledge in C960. Students who passed C959 without fully understanding proof by induction will encounter the same gap immediately in C960’s recursion and advanced induction section.
How long does C960 take to complete?
Most students need six to ten weeks for C960. Students with prior exposure to algorithm analysis or combinatorics may move through it faster, but the majority of CS students are encountering all of this material for the first time. Rushing C960 is the most common cause of repeated OA failures — each retake costs additional weeks of term time.
Why is counting so hard on the C960 OA?
Counting problems require correctly identifying whether order matters, whether repetition is allowed, and which counting principle applies — all from a word problem description. The same counting scenario can be solved multiple ways, but only one method gives the right answer. Students who have not practiced extracting the mathematical setup from plain-language problem descriptions consistently choose the wrong approach and lose the question entirely.
What happens after a failed C960 OA?
WGU generates a Coaching Report and imposes a mandatory waiting period before retake. C960’s retake wait is one of the longest of any WGU math course. Two failed attempts can consume six to eight weeks of term time on a single course. If you have failed the C960 OA, reaching out for help immediately is important — contact us with your Coaching Report and remaining term time.
Does FMMC cover other WGU math courses?
Yes. FMMC covers C960, C959, C958, C955, C957, C784, and more. See our WGU help hub for the full list and links to course-specific pages.
There are many reasons why students need help with their coursework. In any case, it is never too late to ask for help. So, what are you waiting for? Let’s connect!