Failed Hist II last year... got a 48

[viks]

(started out as a simple question, but turned into my college life story, sorry bout that)
Just need Hist I or Hist II and I'll have an Associate's in Liberal Arts. My School offers almost every class (and I took every single class I have credit for since going back to school) online... with one exception. For some reason they only offer U.S. Hist I&II with proctored exams. I don't know what it is about this particular class that has them set it up that way, but it's made things very difficult for me, here's why:
I started school in 2003 when I finally decided on a career after basically just being a slacker with a day job. I was doing poorly due to lack of motivation and in 2005 started working as a poker dealer. I was making so much money that I deemed my previous career choice dead. I stopped going to class as I had no motivation to do so. I ended up moving up the ranks, but was turned down for 2 promotions that I wanted because I didn't have at least an Associate's. I went back to school in Spring 2009 intent on getting the quickest degree I could (I only had 21 credit hours). I took nothing but online courses (as my schedule changed a lot, and my sleeping habits were not conducive to a class schedule) and was set to graduate in Summer of 2010. I had 9 credits to go, but filed for graduation for May of 2010 and was going to walk as a summer graduate. I walked, have my picture, cap and gown and all. Well in June (right before I was set to take my last class - Hist II) I got a job offer out of state. I dropped the class and planned on finding a local place around here that offered it and then transfer the credits.
It turns out that there is no campus within a reasonable drive of here (60 mins) and they don't offer online classes. My college back home requires proctored exams. I wasn't sure what to do and ignored it for a while. In Jan 2010 I was back home and decided to try and CLEP out without studying (mistake) and ended up with a 48.... I needed a 50
Time flew by and all of a sudden it's 15 months later (I do not know where the time went, I'm pretty mad at myself). I'm getting serious and plan on taking the CLEP again on Tuesday. I figure I get two shots, since I can get my degree with a credit in Hist I or II if I fail one I can try the other. I think Hist II would be easier, but does anyone have any experience taking both exams? Which did you find to be the easier exam?
I don't know why I went on a rant like this, but I just figured some of you might understand how someone might get themselves into a situation like I'm in.

[dewisant]

If you try and fail, don't throw your knowledge away again. Once you build your knowledge up keep it up! Both tests were very easy for me, although US History 2 is probably the easiest. Get a flash card set, read the cards, don't type anything, just keep hitting enter, talk your answers to the screen and go! If you fail the one test do the other!!! Best of luck.

[columbia]

I'm glad to hear that you're determined to 'clep out' of your requirement. Definitely study before taking either exam. I'm sorry to add this conflicting opinion, but US history 1 was easier for me than US history 2. I suppose it depends on prior knowledge. I'm a history buff and I studied hard for both exams but I used different resources. I relied on the flashcards and my previous knowledge for US1 and I used a high school textbook plus my knowledge of the two world wars for the US2. I scored much higher on US1 than I did on US2. My US2 clep experience should be explained though; They gave me a lot of questions on authors and theorists that my textbook did not cover (I thought it was a history test, not literature or sociology). If I had used the flashcards I would have done better; though I doubt I would have equaled my US1 score.

[NAP]

I can't imagine passing this test without studying; you came really close.

I thought US History I was easier and the REA study guide was especially good preparation. These were my first exams and I tried a lot of resources. You can see the list in my signature.

I hope you get good results this time, so that you can officially say you are a college graduate!

[Storyteller]

Viks,
I took both 1&2 early in 2011. Scored 70 & 74 respectively. I studied a month for US 1 and two weeks for US 2. You'd be wise to sign up for Instantcert since it gives you access to the flashcards and the Feedback Forum both of which are very helpful. Also, REA and Peterson's give you an edge with regards to obtaining more-than a passing score and a certain amount of test security.
Good luck!
I wrote the following on the feedback forum:
"I just today passed Clep US History II with a 74 - I used IC, REA, Peterson's, Sparknotes and Historyteacher.net (History AP), I studied 2 wks. It usually takes me 3-4 wks. "

[kristina.janisch]

Damn that sucks so what do you want to do further in education

[viks]

I'm staying in the career I'm in (casino management). I obtained a Certificate in Gaming Operations and Protection (required 18 specific credit hours) and once I get my A.A. I'll probably be calling it good. At this time I don't see a reason in further college education for my career. My only worry is that 10 years from now the Casino Industry goes into a recession and layoffs are abundant. The good thing about jobs I've applied for is that most say under education requirements "Bachelors OR comparable experience in the Casino Industry". I'll have an Associate's + 7 years (currently) experience, 5+ years of that in management. I turn 30 this year, and between me and my wife we have a household income of $100,000 annually. I'd say we've been pretty successful, but this degree is that monkey I keep trying to get off my back. I signed up for IC and my plan is to take the CLEP either next Tues or the Tues after (Mon-Tues off, but I've got golf on Mon )

[IrishJohn]

Try the study resources for this CLEP at free-clep-prep.com as well as the videos at Hippocampus.org. These should give you enough to get over that 50 point threshold. Good luck!

[anew789]

I have experience with both US History I&II. Honestly, Part II was more difficult for me. I, too, thought it would be easier since it is closer to our current era, but the questions seemed trickier to me. However, everyone's different, so you may very well find it to be the easier one of the two. Both exams require that you retain a lot of information. I recommend studying so you won't waste any of your time or money. The fact that you scored a 48 taking it cold sounds to me like you are adept at making educated guesses. If you just add some studying to that, I'm sure you'll do great this time. I used the flashcards, and plugged in the answers until I consistently scored 100%. It seemed to take forever, so I only went through all the cards once. But the more times you go through them, the better. I also took the dome clep practice exam until I scored 90-100%. best of luck!

[ryoder]

Once you get rolling with this you will probably want to complete a BSBA. Go ahead and plan on the AA but keep in mind that a BSBA may not be that far away from the AA and could cost you just a little more. Most jobs I have seen require a bachelors degree. Very few require an associates.