Excelsior Tests - Area Practice Tests Worth It? Feedback?

[bllyshrs]

All,

I did a quick search, and I didn't seem to find the answers I was looking for. I have taken a bunch of CLEP and DSST, but I am moving into the "ECE test phase" of my degree plan. Before I jump into something headfirst only to find out I wasn't prepared, I am soliciting some feedback on the ECE practice tests. Specifically:

1.) are they worth the $65? that's a lot of coin (considering ECE is already expensive and that I have been getting CLEP and DSST practice tests for free from all over the web)
2.) Reliability - what I am wondering is how close is the score on an ECE practice to the real test?
--> on CLEP/DSST if one can score 75%-80% consistently on a mock exam they are in excellent shape for the real thing, plus or minus a few pts depending on the particular subject. If scoring around 60-65%, you can be expected to pass, but that's about it. Does ECE practice work the same way?
3.) How does the scoring work? Scaled scores like DSST/CLEP or % based? any difference between scoring on practice tests and live tests? (e.g. Peterson's practice DSST are % based vs. real DSST is scaled score)

Any other nuggets or words of wisdom on ECE tests? I'm taking my first one on Sat and would love to ease some of my concerns.

[Maniac Craniac]

1.) are they worth the $65? that's a lot of coin (considering ECE is already expensive and that I have been getting CLEP and DSST practice tests for free from all over the web)

I can't answer your question specifically, but I can tell you that in some of their free exam content guides, the answers they expect from some questions are flat out wrong, plus they are riddled with typos. Also, the tests themselves are full of equivocation and amphiboly. Often you have no idea whether it is asking you one thing or another. I, having never seen an ECE practice test, can't tell you if you can expect the same thing, but I wouldn't be surprised if it followed the same pattern.

In fact, now that I think of it, if they really did have the same problems as the real exams, then they might be a excellent practice to you as to what you can expect on the test day.

3.) How does the scoring work? Scaled scores like DSST/CLEP or % based? any difference between scoring on practice tests and live tests? (e.g. Peterson's practice DSST are % based vs. real DSST is scaled score)

Percentage-based scores. Similar to traditional school exams, except that each exam has a different set of "cut scores" for each grade. For more information, go to Excelsior's publications page and download the Exam Technical guide book, which tells you of the cut score for each exam.

Any other nuggets or words of wisdom on ECE tests? I'm taking my first one on Sat and would love to ease some of my concerns.

Don't be afraid of them. If you have taken one multiple-choice test, you have taken them all. The same strategies apply, and ECEs are not monstrously difficult once you get over your fear of them.

I would suggest that you take every single moment of time that the test allows for you. Read, reread, check, recheck, review, and re-review until you are certain that there is absolutely nothing you can pull out of your brain to get another correct answer. I got an A on my first ECE, Cultural Diversity, by probably only a question or two, according to my score. If I reviewed one less time, I very well could have walked out with a B.

For me, even with all of my criticisms and gripes, I enjoyed my ECE experiences much more than my CLEP experiences. The questions are more thoughtful, require a deeper understanding of the material, and are less likely to expect you to simply remember what the book says. I like tests, and my ECEs were the among most interesting multiple-choice tests I have ever taken.

[creative]

I have taken 2 ECE's and am scheduled for my third one next week.

First of all, I would recommend downloading the free Exam Content Guide for your test from the EC website. The Content Guide really, really gives you a very clear idea of what they expect you to know for the test. They also include usually a short practice exam (free) in the Content Guide.

I have also taken the Practice Exams that cost an additional fee. Yes, I agree that $65 is a lot of money for just 2 practice exams on top of the $250 for the main exam. But I felt it was absolutely worth it in my situation. The test I was taking I was really nervous about and I really rely on practice tests to help me study and zero in on what they are looking for you to know. I felt the ECE practice tests that I took were extremely close to the real test and even had similar questions--it was a great study tool. For me it was worth every penny--the practice tests gave me confidence going into the test, put my mind at ease, and reduced a lot of anxiety. For people that know that practice tests help them study and find them very helpful (like I do) and you need to reduce the anxiety of the "unknown" and have a trial run -- then I think they are worth it!
I have walked away with A's on both ECE tests I have taken, and expect the same on my test this coming week.

Edit- the practice exams are 100 questions and they give you one point for each question that is correct. The real exams are 130 questions and they explain how they score them on the EC website-- I don't have the link handy at the moment

[rmroberts]

I did several ECEs and did not take a practice test for any of them. I made all A's except on B. So you can definitely do without it imo.

[Lindagerr]

I did buy the practice exams for $65 because I also find them an excellent way to study and guage my readiness. I was very nervous about the exam before I took it I had been very busy at work and only about half the time to study I had planned. I also found the practice test good for helping me understand the way ECE words thier questions. I did get an A on the Literacy Instruction in the Elementary school exam and I don't think I would have done that well without the practice exams. I do recommend you download the content guide that was very helpful.