Art of the Western World help

[lacey310]

Hey everyone!

I'm planning on taking the Art of the Western World DSST next week. I'm wondering, has anyone taken it recently that can can give any tips on what it's important to know? I've been studying "The Annotated Mona Lisa" and using Instantcert for a few weeks. I've been focusing on major artists, important time periods, and changes in art history. I still just feel like I won't be prepared enough, and I'd love advice on what I should hone in on. Thanks!

[happydayruth]

I'd highly suggest trying to find at least one of the textbooks that are recommended on the DSST factsheet for this exam. I studied using the same book you mentioned and this was the only test I've failed. It is one of the more recently "refreshed" exams so there's not a lot of current feedback on it from test-takers. Make sure you study modern art/artists VERY well.

[Christopher]

I looked the subject up in my local CC catalog. It's called This:


ARTH 11 – History of Art:
Prehistoric through Gothic 3 Units
Prerequisites: None
Class Hours: 3 lecture
C-ID: ARTH 110

Introduces the history of art and architecture from prehistoric times
through the Middle Ages, with an emphasis on the Western World. Provides
an overview of non-Western cultures that influence Western art. Examines
key styles and movements in art history and introduces techniques for
production art. (Formerly ART 01A and ART 11.) Applies to Associate
Degree. Transfer credit: CSU; UC.


ARTH 12 – History of Art:
Renaissance through Modern 3 Units
Prerequisites: None
Class Hours: 3 lecture
C-ID: ARTH 120

Introduces the history of art and architecture from the early Renaissance
to modern times with an emphasis on the Western world. Provides an
overview of non-Western cultures that influence Western art during the
time periods studied. Examines key styles, movements and figures in
art history and introduces new techniques for producing art. (Formerly
ART 01B)

Our college online bookstore has these book listed as required for both classes:

http://www.amazon.com/Gardners-Art-throu...1111771577
http://www.amazon.com/Gardners-Art-throu...gy_b_img_y

You probably can get a MUCH CHEAPER copy on ebay or by buying an older edition.

Hey everyone!

I'm planning on taking the Art of the Western World DSST next week. I'm wondering, has anyone taken it recently that can can give any tips on what it's important to know? I've been studying "The Annotated Mona Lisa" and using Instantcert for a few weeks. I've been focusing on major artists, important time periods, and changes in art history. I still just feel like I won't be prepared enough, and I'd love advice on what I should hone in on. Thanks!

[benjenkinsv95]

Hey Lacey,

You should check out the specific forum for Art of The Western World if you have already paid for Instantcert. With that said, here are my notes for the test: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1mqTc...P6EjEs/pub
It was the last CLEP/DSST I took and the test specific forum has amazing info for everything you need to study.

Ben

[englishgoddess]

I took Art of the Western World today and it did not end well. I have taken over 25 CLEP and DSST tests in the past, and this is the first one I've failed.

I used a lot of the info from another thread in this forum and from freeclepprep.com, but it was not as helpful as I had hoped. I blame this not on the previous test-takers, but on how the test must have changed since the latest comments. I studied for two weeks with these resources:

REA's AP Art History Study Guide - very in-depth about all sorts of artists and works you would never need to know. I felt like I was cramming my head full of information that was way too detailed.
Annenberg Art of the Western World videos - these didn't really do it for me. They were deathly dull, ergo it was hard for me to follow.
Dantes Study Guide (google it) - not comprehensive by any means
cram.com flashcards - ditto

I felt fairly confident about this test because I've taken art before and it's a subject I enjoy. Furthermore, I studied the movements, time periods, artists and works quite in-depth. Unfortunately, I failed to pass, scoring a 378. I have no idea how because during the test, I felt like there were at least 50 questions that I knew the answer to immediately. Either I thought I knew and knew wrong, or I just really sucked at guessing for the rest.

My test consisted of 24 images. Much more than I had expected based on older comments from the other thread. I would suggest studying the terms for floorplan elements of cathedrals and basilicas. I had zero "who influenced who", zero "whats happening in this picture", and zero "who commissioned what" questions. There was a surprising amount of questions dealing with 20th and 21st century art, and also quite a bit of Impressionist and Ancient. Knowing the techniques of artwork was important (tempera, encaustic, etching vs. engraving, etc.).

I also think using multiple textbooks would be a good idea, to make sure you get a couple views on everything. Good luck to future test takers, and study more than I did!

[mduece77]

While I do appreciate what NOT to study, is there any recent success stories since the test refreshed? Any insight on what to study for the new test would be outstanding. Feel free to explain it to me in a personal message if you like!

[EI2HCB]

While I do appreciate what NOT to study, is there any recent success stories since the test refreshed? Any insight on what to study for the new test would be outstanding. Feel free to explain it to me in a personal message if you like!

We are all interested in the positive answer, the issue is that the exam has been refreshed and so the original coursework provided by all sources doesn't seem to be cutting it. If you are taking this test over the next few weeks any contribution to the areas that are needed would be helpful. I'm considering taking this DSST and recently got a lot of textbook for a friend who took art at a CC this year. Some DSST tests actually refer to the textbooks listed in their recommended resources in the actual test which means that particular textbook might be required reading.

[lizzy2]

I took the Art of the Western World test on Saturday and failed - 389 out of 400. I used The Annotated Mona Lisa, Art History for Dummies, Barrons AP Art History, The History of Art in the Western World and Essentials of Art History. I studied for a little over a month. My problem with the test is some of the questions are about artists that weren't in any of the books I used. The questions were very ambigious - "what post impressionist used specific brushstrokes in their art" well that could be Seurat or it could be Van Gogh. WHat post impressionist used movement in his art work - well is that Degas or is that someone else... confusing questions. This is the first DSST test I have failed and I have to say I guessed on probably 50% of the questions. I am not sure where they were getting some of the questions from because there were only a few questions that referred to truly "famous" artists. Also be prepared to answer questions regarding the "meaning" of the picture itself. There were a lot of questions on the 21st century artists. I plan on trying to retake in 3 months and am mentally trying to remember the questions I had no idea what the answer was. Good Luck. I also suggest getting one of the textbooks they recommend. The Annotated Mona Lisa does not have enough info on 21st century artists. Oh I forgot I watched every one of these videos - short and sweet.. http://www.ket.org/itvvideos/offering/ar...story1.htm

Much better videos than the ones recommended on previous posts.

[msmith07]

Just took this test today and failed. Got 357 needed 400. This is the first CLEP/DSST that I failed. I had at least 5-6 questions of 21st century artists that were not covered in any of my studies. Good luck !!

[chibbi30j1]

I have to take the DSST Art of the Western World on the 27th of June. Any latest updates or feedback? Thank you!