Business Math DSST or Financial Accounting CLEP

[eneason]

I'm trying to decide between the two. I'm not extremely strong in Math, but I need one of them for my plan. I am considering the CLEP because I could take it on a weekend whereas the DSST I can't and would have to take a PTO from work. Anyone have any advice???

[Synicaal]

I'm trying to decide between the two. I'm not extremely strong in Math, but I need one of them for my plan. I am considering the CLEP because I could take it on a weekend whereas the DSST I can't and would have to take a PTO from work. Anyone have any advice???

Alright well the Financial Accounting CLEP sucks lol. I'm sure if you look for some of my older posts about it you would know why. It could have simply been because it was my first CLEP I ever took and didn't really know what I was doing. From my point of view Business Math would be way easier to do (FOR ME). If you plan to go the CLEP route I'd recommend getting some feedback from people who actually passed that CLEP. I missed it with a 48, needed a 50. I though I prepared super well for this CLEP exam but still failed it. I decided to just take the course at my Local CC and I'm just about done with it. The amount of studying I did to prepare me for the CLEP exam was more then enough for the class. I haven't even cracked the book open and I'm about a month away from finishing the class. So it wasn't my actual Subject know how that failed me. Either way I wish you the best of luck. I think I'd lean more towards Business Math, its pretty easy. I skipped Business Math and went right to Quantitative Business Apps. First day we did a bonus quiz on Business Math got 5 bonus points for the class.

[topdog98]

Business Math sounds easier, but it historically has one of the lower passing rates. The passing rate for the Business Math DSST for 2015 was 16.1%.

[Synicaal]

Business Math sounds easier, but it historically has one of the lower passing rates. The passing rate for the Business Math DSST for 2015 was 16.1%.

Wow, now that's low! Didn't think it would be that low.

[eneason]

Could you explain what you mean by this? That's a low number lol

[Synicaal]

Could you explain what you mean by this? That's a low number lol

A pass rate of 16.1% = if 100 people take it, only 16 people passed it.

[eneason]

A pass rate of 16.1% = if 100 people take it, only 16 people passed it.

Oh that's pretty scary! Do you happen to know that number for the CLEP Financial Accounting test?

[dfrecore]

Oh that's pretty scary! Do you happen to know that number for the CLEP Financial Accounting test?

First, it's good to know that they started breaking up civilian vs. military pass rates, which can vary widely. A lot of military (since they get to take them for free) go in and just take a bunch of tests to see if they can pass any. They don't study, and just figure they're not losing anything if they fail. So their pass rates are much lower than civilian.

This is the data for Fiscal Year 2015:

Financial Accounting CLEP
A total of 1,095 people took the test in FY15.

0 civilians took the exam.

They then have it broken down by Military and Commercial. I'm not sure what Commercial entails, so I can't help a lot with that part.
The Military pass rate was 17%
The Commercial pass rate was 51%.


Business Math DSST
A total of 45 people total took the test in FY15.

The Civilian pass rate was 20%
The Military pass rate was 0% (all who took it failed).

I would say that Financial Accounting is your best bet, but it certainly won't be an easy exam. I would consider spending a lot of time studying first.

[tesu-acct-student]

Sorry, I'm not familiar with your history here so maybe somebody else already addressed this elsewhere.

Depending on your major, financial accounting will be better for other reasons too. If you're a business major, you will definitely need that course, where as biz math will just be an elective I believe. Financial accounting is a very important course. It is part of the foundation of a good business education. If you are a business major, don't take a shortcut there. Many community colleges offer financial accounting at a reasonable price. Better to do this one in a classroom and really learn it, rather than doing the bare minimum to pass a CLEP. Just my $0.02 after working in business for many, many years. For example, it is astonishing how many small business owners go into it without the slightest idea about financial accounting. I am also disheartened when I see protesters saying negative things about "profit." Skipping or glossing over financial accounting is like trying to take a short cut, only to discover later that the longer route needs to be taken anyway.

Again, this advice might not apply to you but it might apply to somebody else reading this.

[Synicaal]

Sorry, I'm not familiar with your history here so maybe somebody else already addressed this elsewhere.

Depending on your major, financial accounting will be better for other reasons too. If you're a business major, you will definitely need that course, where as biz math will just be an elective I believe. Financial accounting is a very important course. It is part of the foundation of a good business education. If you are a business major, don't take a shortcut there. Many community colleges offer financial accounting at a reasonable price. Better to do this one in a classroom and really learn it, rather than doing the bare minimum to pass a CLEP. Just my $0.02 after working in business for many, many years. For example, it is astonishing how many small business owners go into it without the slightest idea about financial accounting. I am also disheartened when I see protesters saying negative things about "profit." Skipping or glossing over financial accounting is like trying to take a short cut, only to discover later that the longer route needs to be taken anyway.

Again, this advice might not apply to you but it might apply to somebody else reading this.

The only thing I have to say about your post is you are off the mark slightly. If you can pass the financial accounting clep.... I can say one or two things. You either guessed amazing (but like you said it will hurt you in the long run). Second if you take it and pass you most likely know Financial Accounting. I studied for 3months (yeah should have just taken the class in that time) and still failed it. I am not taking the class and killing it with no problem. To pass the clep you need to learn FA like if you took the class.