Biology: Is IC enough to pass?

[jamesconner31]

Hey, I'm looking at CLEPing Biology in December. I will only have about a week or two window to study. I've passed 5 other CLEPs so far and most of them on about one weeks worth of intensive study. I suppose I would use IC, Cliffsnotes, and the Standard Deviants video. Would that be enough? Any input would be greatly appreciated.

In His service,

James

[swisha2k]

IC was ok but you should also supplement with a high school textbook. I just couldn't grasp the concepts until I found a high school text in the library. The high school bio will break down the linguistics and eliminate all of the fluff.

[Mrs. P]

IC was ok but you should also supplement with a high school textbook. I just couldn't grasp the concepts until I found a high school text in the library. The high school bio will break down the linguistics and eliminate all of the fluff.

I'm getting ready for Biology too. You said to use a high school textbook to supplement? Will that be enough or will I need a college textbook?

Thanks

[studyhard]

High school is fine.

Here's my secret for passing biology. IC was good but there are more than 800 flashcard questions--far too many for me to go through each and every one my usual 3-4 times when using IC.

I think I went through almost all of the IC questions once. But then I got the REA book and read it and did the practice tests several times. Anything that I didn't understand very well or was really new to me I did the IC section on several times. I also read through the biology section on SparkNotes: Today's Most Popular Study Guides and brushed up on confusing stuff in my own highschool textbook.

Then........and here's the real key for me.......I made my own flashcards on index cards for almost all of the bolded terms in the REA book. A little time consuming at first, but very worthwhile. I was really able to internalize the information by writing it down and reviewing the flashcards. And I made far less flashcards than IC, so it took less time to review it also. Some of my flashcards I drew tables on--i.e., monocots and dicots had their own columns side by side with their own characteristics. I answered several questions by being able to picture those tables.

I think I studied for about two weeks. And I got a 69.

[Mrs. P]

High school is fine.

Here's my secret for passing biology. IC was good but there are more than 800 flashcard questions--far too many for me to go through each and every one my usual 3-4 times when using IC.

I think I went through almost all of the IC questions once. But then I got the REA book and read it and did the practice tests several times. Anything that I didn't understand very well or was really new to me I did the IC section on several times. I also read through the biology section on SparkNotes: Today's Most Popular Study Guides and brushed up on confusing stuff in my own highschool textbook.

Then........and here's the real key for me.......I made my own flashcards on index cards for almost all of the bolded terms in the REA book. A little time consuming at first, but very worthwhile. I was really able to internalize the information by writing it down and reviewing the flashcards. And I made far less flashcards than IC, so it took less time to review it also. Some of my flashcards I drew tables on--i.e., monocots and dicots had their own columns side by side with their own characteristics. I answered several questions by being able to picture those tables.

I think I studied for about two weeks. And I got a 69.

Thanks. I just got the REA book in the mail. I think I'll use the same method.

[jamesconner31]

Thanks very much, I appreciate it very much. I think it will be 8hrs of easy credit with the help you all have given.