HELP! Deciding if I'm ready for A&I Lit?

[knucyt]

I am struggling with deciding whether to go for A&I Lit exam tomorrow, or to keep trying to study longer...and have to pospone for another week or longer (work schedule).

I have taken two REA tests so far and scored 61% (scaled 60) on the first REA test, did worse on the second with a 56% raw(scaled 55).
Tried 1 Peterson and got a raw 56%.

I keep running out of time and feel like I am winging it much more than usual. First REA test I was more relaxed and only missed 5 questions, second test I really wanted to answer them all and did worse..had 12 questions unanswered with less than 2 mins left.

I do not seem to be improving!

My usually modus operandi is to go take a CLEP when I am scoring 75-85% on REA and Peterson's tests. I tent to score just a little bit higher on the actual test but have never felt as rushed as I do on this A&I Lit CLEP.

I would greatly appreciate some feedback on this dilemma!

Thanks!:confused:
FSB/Knucyt

[GettinMyBA]

Do you feel comfortable with the literary devices? Have you gone through the exam specific section? I wouldn't want to be the one to tell someone they are ready, and then god forbid, they score less than a passing grade... but I can tell u this: I studied the literary devices for a few hours and then went to take the test. I didn't do practice tests at all. I bought the REA guide the day b4 the test. The REA guide sat in the Barnes & Noble bag until after the test, when I quickly returned it (perfectly new, untouched). You've already "studied" far more than most people do. I did not find this to be an "easy" test (I'm definitely NOT an avid reader) but I did find the test to be basically unstudyable (hahahah, is that a word?)
Best of luck!

[knucyt]

Thanks GettingmyBA for responding - I appreciate hearing about your experience and your questions back to me. I would never hold anyone but me accountable for my decisions - but it sure helps to get other opinions on what level of prep/scores is most likely to get one a passing grade! Of couse an Eng. Lit major is going to find it easy/easier as compared to a much less literate body such as myself.

2 items:
- how would you/did you rate you Literature knowledge/experience going into this exam? Has it been long since ya did Lit in High School?

- Exam Specific Section - r u referring to the CollegeBoard CLEP official study guide? If so, no i haven't done that one yet. Good suggestion-I'd forgotten that it included this exam. I will try it today.

Thanks!
FSB/Knucyt

[jec959]

I took the A & I lit exam cold after taking one look at the practice exams and saying forget it. This exam is analyzing and interpreting literature, so if you are good at that you should do well on the exam. Like gettinmyba said know your literary devices. I found the most important item on this exam was to keep track of time and not panic.

[GettinMyBA]

No, I didn't mean CLEP practice tests, although that's certainly another place to find a practice test if you feel like doing it.... I didn't do any practice tests at all (but a lot of people do). "Exam Specific Section": Do you have a username and password for this forum? If not, you will not be able to see the Exam Specific Section - go ahead and sign up for a free account... then you'll be able to see what I'm talking about. If you do have a username and password, the Exam Specific Section is direct feedback from those who have already taken the test, and there's a thread for most tests. Remember in high school..... whenever your friend took a test a few hours before you, you always asked 'what's on the test? what should i be worried about? what was the format?, etc - right? Well, THAT'S what the Exam Specific Section is.... it's arguably the single best tool available to prepare for a test. You will be able to read full write-ups from many people (me included) who have taken and passed the test. The Exam Specific Section for A&I Lit test is HERE .

By the way, I think I saw your original message in a different thread also.... no need to post a message multiple times - anyone who would offer assistance will read it if it's posted just once.

Good luck

[studyhard]

For what it's worth, I remember getting really fed up with some of the obscure passages on the REA tests and the even-more-obscure correct answers. It's good to do those tests because some of the passages will likely be on the exam but don't let 'em bug you too much if you miss some answers. I remember doing worse on the second exam too and getting really frustrated. Some of it is simply because they pick some super obscure stuff--more obscure than some of the actual material on the test, I think.

I didn't read through everyone's comments.......do you have the Official College Board book of CLEP practice tests? That's always what I use as my indicator for preparedness. If I get 5-6 questions more than 50% correct, I know I'm good.

If you're nervous, there's no harm in waiting a week. It's better to go into something feeling prepared.

[entreelink]

I took it with minimal study and passed.

I am, like most of you, I think, very impatient to get to the end of tests. This test tried my patience. The passages did not flow smoothly for me and I rushed to get done, not because of time, but boredom. I finished in about 40 minutes and scored pretty well but it was the most aggravating test I have taken.

In high school, we had to read Chaucer in Old English and this test felt the same way. Skimming a copy of Norton's Anthology will get you used to the look and feel of the exam.

[GettinMyBA]

I finished in about 40 minutes and scored pretty well but it was the most aggravating test I have taken.

Just to contrast this a little - I agree with this test being aggravating, but I didn't finish in anything near 40 minutes..... I had to blindly guess on around 10 questions (runnin outta time) and completed the last guess with about 7 seconds left of test time! Note that I whole heartedly admit that I am not a lover of the written word!

[knucyt]

Thank you all so much for the great feeback, descriptions of your experience (including the frustrations) and suggestions re other resources on instantcert. I just need to figure out how to beat the clock on this one and do some more review.

I have decided to aim for this one Friday afternoon, giving myself some time to a)learn the 30+ literary devices properly as opposed to trying to learn >50 and mixing them up! b) go back over my REA test results and see where I was right and where I was wrong! c)Perhaps even sit a second Peterson and see if I can score 65%. If I still feel so close to that f* edge, I may revisit the exam date.

I take to heart the challenges you've described about this exam - especially the advice not to panic! I have only come close to panicking on one prior CLEP exam - English Comp. I went in totally cold on this exam and almost ran out of time and scored a 59. I was definitely out of my exam taking comfort zone and swore I would not repeat this experience. I may just have to bite the bullet however and accept the fact that A&I Lit is not a subject I have much prior knowledge in (at least that is recent enough to count!) and accept that I am not going to get comfortable before taking this particular exam.

Thanks again for the feeback. If you think of anything else please let me know!

FSB/Knucyt

[knucyt]

I passed!!

I am posting this here as a follow on to all your feedback and recommendations. I took the A&I Lit this afternoon and passed with...you won't believe this... a 69!!

OMG what a surprise! I will post more specific feedback about my actual exam experience in the exam tips forum.

Again, thank you all for your suggestions and encouragement!