CLEP vs Straighterline dilemma

[sdobis]

I know this has been discussed numerous times on here, but I can't figure out what to do. My 14 year old son is finishing up his FEMA tests and is ready to move on to the next thing. He wants to take Western Civilization I. I bought the REA study guide and looked up some online helps for him. I was pretty set on him taking the CLEP and now I'm second guessing my decision. Should he take the straighterline course instead? I've run through all the pros and cons and can't decide. I have no personal experience with either.

[clephy]

Hi I'll be taking that CLEP tomorrow and I can give you feedback on it if you'd like. I have a study guide made up along with REA..and if my guide proves to be helpful for the exam I'll send it to you if you'd like. If it seems super difficult/I fail, I'll let you know. Thought I'd let you know though that I already know a little bit about West Civ because I took Ancient World History (9th grade) and World History (10th grade).
CLEPs are great but can be difficult, especially because sometimes they word things strangely. I've passed 5 in the past 2 months.
I'll let you know tomorrow how the CLEP goes, and if it seems pretty doable I'd recommend that over Straighterline - more colleges accept CLEP credits.
Btw, I am also a highschooler..if you need any more advice on CLEPs/Straigherline/courses or just highschool things in general, feel free to message me!

[Publius]

Hey.

So it looks like he wants to take it. Go for the CLEP. He's on board, don't double guess yourself. If you're still not sure, take SL's free trial (gp.straighterline.com/take-a-free-trial-course). You guys may love the way SL is set up and run, you may hate it, or it my just ugh, somewhere in between.
It may also be easier on both of you if you start out with a bit easier CLEP, perhaps Analyzing and Interpreting Lit, unless he really loves history (or is good at it). Don't get me wrong, W Civ isn't "bad" but there are some easier ones out there to start off with.

[sdobis]

Hi I'll be taking that CLEP tomorrow and I can give you feedback on it if you'd like. I have a study guide made up along with REA..and if my guide proves to be helpful for the exam I'll send it to you if you'd like. If it seems super difficult/I fail, I'll let you know. Thought I'd let you know though that I already know a little bit about West Civ because I took Ancient World History (9th grade) and World History (10th grade).
CLEPs are great but can be difficult, especially because sometimes they word things strangely. I've passed 5 in the past 2 months.
I'll let you know tomorrow how the CLEP goes, and if it seems pretty doable I'd recommend that over Straighterline - more colleges accept CLEP credits.
Btw, I am also a highschooler..if you need any more advice on CLEPs/Straigherline/courses or just highschool things in general, feel free to message me!

Thanks! I'm looking forward to hearing how you do on this test. I hope you do well. Go high schoolers!

[sdobis]

Hey.

So it looks like he wants to take it. Go for the CLEP. He's on board, don't double guess yourself. If you're still not sure, take SL's free trial (gp.straighterline.com/take-a-free-trial-course). You guys may love the way SL is set up and run, you may hate it, or it my just ugh, somewhere in between.
It may also be easier on both of you if you start out with a bit easier CLEP, perhaps Analyzing and Interpreting Lit, unless he really loves history (or is good at it). Don't get me wrong, W Civ isn't "bad" but there are some easier ones out there to start off with.

I'm considering Analyzing and Interpreting Lit as well for his first, but he likes history more. I worry that it may be too hard. I think I need to stop worrying so much and just do it.

[Publius]

Well analyzing and interpreting lit is more reading comprehension then anything else. Okay, that's great he likes history. Well that's what practice tests are for! After some studying, take a PT. He does well, he's ready. If it doesn't go well at all, don't sweat it. 14 is fairly young and there's plenty of time. Go over the weak spots, and stay motivated. Often the first test is the hardest just because it's the first... you've no clue what to expect. After the first 1 or 2, you/he will get into a pattern and find what works.

[sdobis]

We definitely are not rushing through the tests. Our goal is to have plenty of study to learn the materials. Everyday he studies bible, math, and Spanish. These don't take long at all. The rest of his school time is devoted to studying for FEMA or whatever is next. With dedicated study time, I'm guessing one or two months per subject will suffice.

If after a lot of studying and he still doesn't do well on the practice tests, then we'll move on to Straighterline. There. Decision made. Thanks for helping me work through this. :o

[Yenisei]

I'd advise using Straighterline for courses that have no CLEP/DSST equivalency. Some may have ECE equivalency though (Anatomy & Physiology). Taking one exam is, IMHO, easier than going through a Straighterline course.

[cookderosa]

I know this has been discussed numerous times on here, but I can't figure out what to do. My 14 year old son is finishing up his FEMA tests and is ready to move on to the next thing. He wants to take Western Civilization I. I bought the REA study guide and looked up some online helps for him. I was pretty set on him taking the CLEP and now I'm second guessing my decision. Should he take the straighterline course instead? I've run through all the pros and cons and can't decide. I have no personal experience with either.

What are your pros and cons? IMO, Straighterline has many more cons than CLEP. You can use a free class through Saylor.org – Free Online Courses Built by Professors or any number of open courses (Harvard, MIT, Yale) and then use the REA to formulate a study outline. After a full semester he can CLEP 1, then do the second semester and he can CLEP 2. I find the benefits of SL dampened by their cost and lack of acceptance. You should see if your local CC takes ACE (SL) before you decide.