Ethics In America DSST Questions Frustrating

[Strategizer]

To me, it seems like these questions could not possibly reflect the reality of a test. That being said, I have not taken a Dantes test in about 23 years. Still, the problem I see is that the fill-in-the-blank questions don't put the blank where a specific term or label should be, but rather many times where a generic adjective is.

For example, using the sentence, "The Basketball Players Act of 1999 allows players to dunk the ball," I might rephrase it to say, "The _____ ______ Act of 1999 allows players to dunk the ball." It is clear there is a SPECIFIC title or words required to be correct. Close won't cut it.

However, if I rephrase a statement like, "The orange house is ugly," to say, "The orange house is _____," you might say homely, unattractive, or some other adjective synonymous with ugly and you would be correct. No title or proper noun is involved here. The test here would say you are wrong if you don't nail the particular word exactly.

I think the test could be rewritten to include, where appropriate, other suitable adjectives so that a person doesn't get dinged for no good reason.

:mad:

[bmills072200]

Keep in mind that the flashcards are not intended to reflect the exact form of the actaul exam. Rather, they are constructed to help you retain information that you will need on the actual test. The actual test will likely not have any fill in the blank type questions. In fact, for the exam you are taking a lot of the questions will be yes or no questions. I used the flashcards to study for Ethics and I got a 66...pass was a 46. Needless to say...the flashcards work...keep truckin'

[HawkGuy]

That is right. The flashcards are meant to help you learn what's on the tests, not only through the answers, but the explanations as well. Instantcert WILL help you on Ethics.

[autoxer240]

Instantcert + common sense = 80 for me.

[Strategizer]

Even though I'm sure you all are right, it just seems they could have worded the questions better, specifically putting the blanks in different areas or allowing for synonyms to count appropriately. Ah, I'll stop whining now and do my homework! I just missed a ton of them up front.

:p

[Strategizer]

Well, this time I got 29 of 50. Still not great, but for not writing anything down the first time and getting under 50%, I guess I'm going in the right direction.

From any of you who have taken the Ethics test, do you remember anything that was simply missed altogether by these study guides and practice tests?

[skyfall123]

Strategizer,
If you were going to a professional baseball camp for the first time, you may find that there are practice methods and drills that simply wouldn't make sense to you. You might say, "What does this have to do with baseball...I just came here to hit homeruns?" The short answer would be that certain methods have been found to aid in the retention of material, and in this case it applies to Instacert's method of using Flashcards. You can fight it or ignore the fact that thousands have successfully used them ....or you can take all your time and energy and actually use them. Most subjects I studied intensively for at least 4-5 hours a day for between four days to two weeks, meaning I would go through the flashcards sometimes 20 to 30 times. BTW Make sure that you use the random question feature as well. hilarious

[Lindagerr]

The problem with trying to answer the flashcards is something as small as the wrong tense or a misspelling will count as wrong. Then you look at your score and get discouraged.

Before I found Instantcert I took a couple of test and studied long and hard from textbooks and studyguides. I did fine, but it was more effort then was needed. Now I just go through the flashcards just answering in my head, then when I see the answer and the explanation it either confirms I knew the concept or I now do. When I come to something that I am still not clear on I then go to a textbook to clarify.

When I am taking time off from testing I quit IC, but I rejoin when I am ready to test again.

Between May 9 and June 12 I took and passed 12 credits of CLEP using mostly IC, you just need to learn to not worry about your score on the 1st pass through the flashcards.

[Lydia]

I think a few people are focusing on the wrong aspect. I felt the same way when I read the first flashcard (IT was for Civil War). I knew the info inside out, but kept on missing many IC questions becasue I used synonymous terms, used the singualr form instead of plural, or made a spellign error. It was annoying and I felt like the "answer" for the blnk spot made no sense to me.

Then I realized that it's the explanation the is helful. Not all the actual 1 or 2 word "answer" wil be necessary information that you'l need. The explanation is the key, because it helps you get a thourough understanding of the subject matter or principle behind it. I don't even pay attention to my IC score. I just click continue without entering anything. I focus on reading the question and undestandign the explanation. I know I'm ready for an exam when I get to the point where I can read the question, and before i see the answer, I can give my own summary of the points at hand.

Just my 2cents....

Side Note: I'm taking the Ethics Exam tomorrow morning (9am) and just began studying IC flashcards tonight :eek:..... I'll let you know how it goes.....

[rachaelleigh]

I saw you took the A&I CLEP. How difficult was it? How hard did you have to study to get 71%? I am taking it in 1 week, but still juggling my final University of Phoenix class (if I pass the Lit test and Natural Science of course). I wasn't sure if I needed to split up the little time I had between studying for both or how intensly I neded to prepare.