English Composition Without Essay Studying Help!

[Vampir1c]

Hello, I am in a weird position revolving the reason why I want to take the CLEP. My school has about 3 academic foundation courses for those not so well in English before they finally allow us to take English 101 and 102. However it is very easy to pass these foundation classes but it is the final exam (an Essay) which is graded by professionals that determine if you move on or not. So I'm at step one which I failed and I learned even if I pass the first foundation course I'd still have to take 2 more + EC101-102, equaling 5 English classes.

I recently found out about the CLEP and gathered the information on what format my school takes. I've subscribed to IC and been using the flash cards (I have only used them once though) and have the Element's of Style, and the REA Freshman Composition CLEP guide. I am extremely stuck, I've been doing the Peterson's practice tests and even the official CLEP practice tests and been doing horribly. I realize I've only been doing practice test after practice test, and only getting bad scores and the reason is because I haven't been studying any material. The problem I am having with this studying is that I have no motivation (Though if I fail the foundation course twice I get kicked out of the college, you think that would be enough motivation?)
I take the practice tests, do horribly and then become discouraged. I study a little and feel confident, then take another practice exam and do bad and I am again discouraged. I am stuck in this cycle, and I was wondering if you guys can help, and recommended anything for me to use besides what I already have, to help me learn the skills needed for this CLEP exam. I start classes Tuesday but I have until December because they will force me to take the foundation course again starting Spring. Thank you in advance for anything you guys can provide.

[operalady]

It is so tempting to take practice tests, look at the number (yuck) and move on. It is so important to look at what you are missing, find out why and figure out how to improve. It takes guts to look at your flaws but it is worth it. I encourage my students to consider their wrong answers on practice test as the most important element. What power you have when you diagnose what you don't know!!

[frankiebleyes]

And then you could think about taking an actual english 101 course through say straighterline and use there smartthinking graded assignments to help you actually improve in english. If you passed this course it would be the first freshman english course for credit. I personally took this course after being out of any english course for over 35 years and found it straight forward, interesting and well worth my time. JUST A SUGGESTION.

[P00057870]

I think we need a little more information before we can help you. As someone who teaches medical records transcription for a technical center, one of the major components is dealing with English grammar, fixing the grammar of highly educated physicians who do not speak English well but expect us to make them look professional and correct them in case their documents end up in litigation, as well as the formatting of the reports, among other skills.

All of the courses you mentioned, including the CLEP exam, require you to have a strong grasp of these skills as well as how to write in complete sentences, know how to correct the most common gramatical errors, and create the final Essay (or required papers) in the correct format, including knowing when and how to paragraph, punctuate, etc.

My first question would be whether or not English is your first language. Then, what is your approximate age group, as this may be an indication to some of us at this site where you may need some assistance.

If English is your first language, you must learn to take a deep breath and proof read everything you write and make sure your sentences are complete and thoughts are also following a clear pattern. If English is your second language, have you taken what are generally referred to as ESOL classes. It will be necessary to have a strong grasp of the language before concentrating on the rules of grammar and creating documents in a required format. If this is not the issue, then I would want to know your age. I often have problems with my younger students. They have grown up in this rather amazing time with all the technology but it has hampered many from learning English grammar, reading and writing skills.

As mentioned before, my younger students are so used to having computers check their spelling and make grammar suggestions, are used to texting one another with various shorthand codes, and even tweeting where limited keystrokes are allowed. As a result, a new method of communicating has been developing that is more like sending a telegraph. This has caused communication problems elsewhere and is NOT acceptable in business, or college and scientific papers.

I'm sure once we know more, there are others here who can make some suggestions that might help you better prepare to move ahead.

For example, do you no the difference between there, their, and they're; cite, sight, or site; affect and effect; not to mention when to use gone or went? These are among the most common types of grammatical errors we see.

These are just a few suggestions, but give us more information and perhaps we can make more specific suggestions to help you get over this hurdle.

[NAP]

My strategy for exams is to do all of the studying (reading/videos) first and then take all of the practice exams last. (It can be hard to wait that long.) It sounds like you are trying to take the practice exams before you have given yourself a chance to learn anything. Starting with short study sessions (and rewards for studying) can help to get yourself going.

[nagesh]

The multiple-choice questions measure students' writing skills both at the sentence level and within the context of passages. The current examination in English Composition places a greater emphasis on revising work in progress than did previous forms of the test. The examination is designed so that average students who have completed the general education requirement in English composition can usually answer about half of the questions correctly.
Skills at the Sentence LevelThe examination measures the candidate's knowledge of a variety of logical, structural, and grammatical relationships within a sentence; these skills are tested by approximately 55 percent of the all-multiple-choice version and 30 percent of the multiple-choice questions in the version with essay. Questions test recognition of standard written English relating to

* Sentence boundaries
* Clarity of expression
* Agreement: subject-verb; verb tense; pronoun reference, shift, number
* Active/passive voice
* Diction and idiom
* Syntax: parallelism, coordination, subordination, dangling modifiers
* Sentence variety




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[Vampir1c]

Well thanks for the tips guys, its somewhat helping me. I've only taken the first section so far of the peterson's practice exam (55 questions) and my score went from 19 correct, 25 wrong, 11 missed, to 23 correct, 25 wrong, 7 missed. I'm not sure how to calculate the scores for CLEP, and I still know these are some terrible scores (or not?) but this isn't discouraging me as I feel like I am seeing progress being made.

[cookderosa]

I'd suggest two things.
First, if you are in 3 foundation courses, that means you bombed your college's placement exam. Step 1 (if it were me) would be to retake that test! That is free, and you can jump over all 3 classes into the required ENG101. Do whatever is necessary. Talk to your advisor, talk to other advisors. Tell them you were sick, tell them you whatever you need to, but go retake that test and get a new placement recommendation. Do this now. Today. Now.

Second, take English 101. I think everyone on the planet should have to pass English 101 LOL In my opinion, your success as a college student depends SO HEAVILY on your ability to write, that this class is more like an investment. You could take the CLEP to earn credit in English 102 (if applies) and you're good to go. Most associate degrees don't ask for English 102, but if you plan on earning a bachelor's degree, it would be a good idea.

A final thought, English Comp without essay is hardly ever the class that gives you credit for English 101 and 102, you need to take it with essay.

[Vampir1c]

I would like to make it clear that I am not in 3 foundation courses, my school requires anyone who fails their placement test for english to take about 3 courses before they finally let you take EC101. I frankly don't have the time nor money to be spending on that many course that will not count as college credit. I have taken many classes already and handed in many papers with the average grade of a B. Another thing is that you are not allowed to fail the placement exam at my school twice or they'll send you to community college. Also, I have checked with already as I work on campus with the advisor that administers the CLEP credits and my school accepts the multiple choice version for 6 credits, and places us out of EC101 + 102. By the way, the college I am attending is New Jersey City University.

[Vampir1c]

Okay guys, so I have completed 2 peterson's clep test, one way before I studied (the reason why I started this topic) and just finished one after studying for a few days. The first one I had (27%) 27 correct, 45 incorrect, 28 unanswered. Now the new results after studying for a few days, (42%) 42 correct, 51 incorrect, 7 unanswered. I really am happy even though its not good enough to pass with, but my biggest issue is gone, I no longer feel discouraged! I see and feel like I am making progress