CLEP - Memory or Gut?

[jcameron]

I just signed up for InstantCert a couple days ago and have been studying to take my first CLEP ever (Marketing), to be followed by Business Law. One of the problems, or maybe qualities, of IC is that you have to actually memorize the answer since you don’t have a multiple choice list to pick from. What happens with me, and I believe it must be the same with everyone, after going through the flashcards multiple times, I still don’t have the answer memorized (the actual word doesn’t come to mind when I try to think of it), but I know what it is and could easily pick it from a list if that was available. My question for people with CLEP experience is: When preparing to take the actual test, is it enough to know what the answer is when multiple choices are presented to you or do you really have to know it as if the test was just like IC’s flashcards (feel in the blanks style)? I do realize that memorizing it is the safest bet, heck, even better, memorize an entire textbook word by word, but would picking it from a list be enough?

Thanks!

JC

[elizabethadavis]

I have taken two clep tests. My experience so far is you need to have a general idea of the answer. With IC just be sure to read the explanations because that info may be on the test. I used it for U.S. history1 and it was great for reviewing what I had already studied. On the tests I have taken there are usually two good answers and the rest are just to get people who have no idea. Remember usually clep doesn't try to trick you just test your knowledge. I haven't had much experience but I hope this helps,
Elizabeth

P.S when I second guess my self I never do as well on practice tests as when I don't

[cdautel]

"What happens with me, and I believe it must be the same with everyone, after going through the flashcards multiple times, I still don’t have the answer memorized (the actual word doesn’t come to mind when I try to think of it), but I know what it is and could easily pick it from a list if that was available."


This is the exact same thing that happens with me. I read the IC answer and explanation every time, and will usually know the answer on the test when a list of choices is given. Sometimes if a couple answers are very similar I will have to think of a creative way to know the difference between them, but I try to understand different concepts instead of necessarily memorize them. I think the only time I have made myself memorize things were tests I needed to know Constitutional amendments or certain Supreme Court cases. Hope this helps, and best of luck on your first CLEP!

[MISin08]

What's important with IC is reading and understanding the full text of the answer. The 'answer' you type into the blank is less critical (some folks who post here say they don't bother typing in the answer, they just read the explanation over and over again). Remembering the answer because you remember what you read (not because you work hard to remember what to type in the blank) is probably the best use of the 'fill in the blank'. Does that make sense? It's a little hard to write about.

What will probably happen on the actual CLEP, is you'll see the multiple answers, you'll be able to throw out the obvious wrong ones, and say to yourself "Oh yeah, I read about this" and choose the the right one, or "I didn't read about that but because of something else I read, I know this one isn't right so it has to be __".

And for me -- I like to use more than IC, at least on tests related to my major. The exam feedback is full of good tips on that.

Phillip

[jcameron]

So, I'm getting a sense that more important than memorizing the answer (actual word) is to have an understanding of the question and answer, so that the word will come to you during the test. Is that right?

[cdautel]

So, I'm getting a sense that more important than memorizing the answer (actual word) is to have an understanding of the question and answer, so that the word will come to you during the test. Is that right?

Yes, that's probably the best thing to try and do. Good luck!

[Levi]

So, I'm getting a sense that more important than memorizing the answer (actual word) is to have an understanding of the question and answer, so that the word will come to you during the test. Is that right?

When I use the IC flashcards, I sometimes make the mistake of misspelling the word or not using the exact phrase (thus getting it incorrect). This doesn't really matter as long as I know the basic information in the answer explanation. And, yes, on the real clep exam, the multiple choice format makes it much easier.

That said, IC is still an awesome study resource for anyone.

[jcameron]

Thanks for all the replies. Before I was freaking out thinking that I would have to memorize every single answer. Now, I’m thinking of getting one of those REA books and using it with IC just to have an idea of the material and hoping that it’ll all come to me during the test. I’m sure that after I take my first CLEP I’ll have a better idea of how this all works. Thanks again for everyone’s time.

[brothermike]

Each test is different but for marketing it is a little bit of both.

Here is a standard deviants video you can watch that should help:

Marketing |Marketing Basics Playlist

[Ruddigore]

Now, I’m thinking of getting one of those REA books and using it with IC just to have an idea of the material and hoping that it’ll all come to me during the test.

That's about what I've done for the tests I've taken. It works pretty well. IC will give you a good grounding, and REA (with its excellent practice tests) will give you an idea how much you've taken the grounding to heart. After two or three practice tests, you should know for certain how ready you are.