How Do you Handle Possibly Failing When The Tests Are Over $100 ???

[SleepsInSeattle]

Hey everyone I am so nervous to take my first Clep Exam English Comp w/ essay because I dont want to let m family down. I know I can pass it BUT I have so much anxiety and Im sure Im not the only one who doesnt have $100 bucks to throw around. Its a gamble. My testing center is $34.00 for the sitting fee!!! NO REFUNDS!!!!!

Thanks in advance

Seattle

[seanmathews]

The 100$ is worth it, trust me, i have thought this way before, Im taking 3-4 tests a month which isnt cheap (300-400), especially for me since it is 40% of my monthly income, along with my other expenses.
BUT, you have to look at it compared to a classroom setting..

One to two hundred for class tuition, books are another easy couple hundred, 14-16 weeks of time spent in class room (which we all know time=money), gas to classroom few times a week, class supplies, food on campus, parking permit for school. etc, etc.

This is based off of what i would spend at my community college, and even this is a fraction of the price if this was at a state university or UC.

Once you put it into perspective, its worth it. Especially if you pursue a whole degree through testing.

[Daithi]

Don't fail!
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Seriously though, if you do your best to prepare and take some practice tests to insure you are prepared then nobody can ask for more. It also might help to think about things a little differently. Instead of thinking about how much it would cost to fail, think about how much you are saving by succeeding. Every test you pass is a huge savings over traditionally taken courses. Worst case --- you fail. Don't beat yourself up, because if you study some more and retake the test in six months it will still be a big savings over a traditional course, whose textbook would probably cost more than taking a CLEP test twice.

[seanmathews]

On a side note, don't look at it as just a $100 test because its not.. It's a $100 class/course

[NAP]

Great thoughts!

Also, I am not aware of a good reason to cancel your score, so at least find out if you passed. There is no penalty for guessing; answer every question.

Keep looking for a test center with a lower fee that will allow you to reschedule, if needed.

[freddy]

If you know you can pass and you've studied for it, it's not really a gamble more of a calculated risk. You can even study enough to where the risk of failing is minimal.

I've taken a couple of CLEPs where I didn't feel the most confident. Usually what pushes me through is thinking about all the time I save by not having to sit through the class.

As far as the cost is concerned, tuition at the state university I attend is $365 per credit hour. For one three credit hour class that's more than $1000!!! I could fail the CLEP multiple times and still come out ahead money wise if I were paying for school(thankfully I have the gibill and don't have to.)

[Publius]

I'm just thankful it wasn't some $600 course.

I've failed before, twice. Each time by 2 points. BUT then, the best thing to do is get back in there, pick your self up, and make sure you know that feeling of failing and that you never want to feel it again. Then get back in the game. (I've passed 20+). If you do fail, don't let it discourage you, but learn from it.

Of course, the best thing to do is go in there with confidence. If you've put in an effort studying and know the material then all odds say you'll pass with flying colors!

[Westerner]

I always overstudy. So far, it's worked

[Storyteller]

I was like you, I didn't want to waste the money so I was always over-prepared. I used all the preparatory guides recommended on this forum. I used IC, REA, Peterson's (when I could get it) and Specific feedback from this site.
For me, there was a point when I was bored with the subject and that's when I took the test. The tests are hard but not impossible. Cut yourself some slack - don't put the burden of trying to get the highest score on yourself; just settle for passing the test. I know that's hard to do if you are grade-centric - 50 is a long way from 80 - but in the clep world - it is passing. And that's what you are after. Pass the test and move on to the next.
BTW - If you are taking English w/essay - practice, practice, practice writing timed essays - You'll be glad you did - Otherwise you'll be so jumped-up during the test, you'll be shaking like a leaf - (This advice comes from a person who knows this first-hand.)
Good luck

[CLEPitgirl]

I always overstudy. So far, it's worked

Is there such a thing as over-studying??? Lol. I took my first test when I was 15. That moment at the very end, right before you click to see your score, I was freaking out like crazy because I didn't think I passed (anybody else have this problem?). Thankfully I did pass it. For every test I've taken (only four lol!) I've never felt truly prepared beforehand. How I managed to pass them is still beyond me. All I can do is keep studying and praying.