ADD/ADHD and credit by exam

[cookderosa]

A mother of a college student with diagnosed ADD asked me about CLEP testing. Her son won't take the medication. I've met other young adults in similar circumstances.

Can unmedicated ADD/ADHS people succeed with credit by examination testing? My initial reaction is that it would be very difficult because many people here write about studying for hours and hours. However, preparing for CLEP or similar exams is very self-paced. Can the self-paced nature mitigate the concentration problem?

Also, the most common mode of test taking reported here seems to be sequential, one test or subject after another. Taking one course at a time at a brick and mortar school is rare because at most schools it would drag things out for more years than most people are willing to put up with. Would focusing on only one course at a time help those with ADD or ADHD? I have read recommendations that ADD/ADHD students take a reduced course load, but without specific reasons why.

Any thoughts on what tests are better for people with ADD or ADHD?

May I ask what it is about CLEP that this mom thinks will be a better fit for her son? Colleges are very good at accommodating individuals who self-identify, to a fault some might say, but that's not for me to argue. It sounds like success in a class (earning a good grade) may not be the primary motivation? Just curious.

EDIT: that might have sounded strange- I don't mean some malicious motive. My motives were cost and not being able to leave my kids for a class, I knew TAKING a class wasn't an issue, so good grades were not my primary motivation either. If it's cost or time or something else there may be more suggestions than strictly "CLEP."

[bldgengineer]

Sanantone, how you describe yourself is how I would describe me. It's also how I would describe my 5 year old who I can see having the same trials I had growing up. The teachers in my area aren't as quick to have kids diagnosed anymore but they are "strongly suggesting" it for my daughter. I still have troubles focusing on one thing. Throughout my career my evaluations have always included things like "great at multitasking" and "finishes tasks on time or ahead of schedule". When I'm forced to sit in meetings I have to bring a notepad with me and write everything I hear on the notepad just to make sure I keep focused on what they are saying to me. This is why I can't sit through lectures or read through long passages and why I have been hesitant to take the A&I clep for over 2 years now.

[clep3705]

I think the mom's interest was in the self-paced nature of credit by exam.

On the topic of colleges making accommodations, there are people who don't want accommodations. They may not want the label. Or they think that accommodations won't occur in the workplace and they need to make it without accommodations. There's also the issue of requirements for obtaining accommodations. I have second hand information about a student who was told he needed testing before accommodations could be allowed. The testing center at his university is booked up for months. He was referred to private testing facilities, which then makes timely testing perhaps too expensive.

I didn't think your question was strange. Learning difficulties add another interesting dimension to credit by exam. I'm just reporting things I've seen and been told about. I'm not in the original post or this response saying what is right or wrong.

[cookderosa]

I think the mom's interest was in the self-paced nature of credit by exam.

On the topic of colleges making accommodations, there are people who don't want accommodations. They may not want the label. Or they think that accommodations won't occur in the workplace and they need to make it without accommodations. There's also the issue of requirements for obtaining accommodations. I have second hand information about a student who was told he needed testing before accommodations could be done. The testing center as his university is booked up for months. He was referred to private testing facilities, which then makes timely testing perhaps too expensive.

I didn't think your question was strange. Learning difficulties add another interesting dimension to credit by exam. I'm just reporting things I've seen and been told about. I'm not in the original post or this response saying what is right or wrong.

Got it. Maybe a course through Saylor (free) might be a good place to test the waters and see how self-paced learning fits into his study style? They have many CLEP aligned courses as well as a couple that are ACE evaluated. Also, I would like to see if his college allows transfer credit once enrolled (some -unlike the big 3- actually forbid transfer credit for matriculated degree seekers). If the Saylor class works well, he could try a self paced course through one of the many RA colleges.

[clep3705]

Saylor brings another thing into the discussion - structure. I've seen some people chafe at structure and others soar when structure is provided. Structure is the answer to some people's learning difficulties. For others, it is the kiss of death.

[cookderosa]

Saylor brings another thing into the discussion - structure. I've seen some people chafe at structure and others soar when structure is provided. Structure is the answer to some people's learning difficulties. For others, it is the kiss of death.

Yes, that's why it's good to know all the options, so you can help them problem solve. She's very lucky to have you helping her!