Im a failure!

[up2late]

simply,

Definetly keep trying but, here are some suggestions,

first choose the right tests, not the "easiest" because based on your knowledge base "easy" is relative, but pick some tests that have a smaller scope (astronomy, might not fit into that category).

Look on the test feedback area for suggestions

The right test might be the one you can find good study material for.

When you go to take the test, you can flag questions to go back to and review. so with that in mind, go thru the test, and when you come to one that you don't know, simply flag it, and move to the next question. then after you get thru all the other questions, go back and answer the flagged ones. This takes a lot of pressure off you, I usually have maybe 25% of the questions flagged, after my first pass, I have even gotten some answers for questions that I have flagged, from the other questions I have answered.

Then its a matter of choosing the right answer out of the choices given. which is sometimes easier if you think about eliminating the answers you know are NOT correct. This is helpful in narrowing your possible answers from 4 or 5 to mayb 2. Even if you have to guess at that point you are only guessing between 2 ot 4 or 5.

Hope these hints help. It rocks to know you just slammed down 3 units after taking one test, definetly keep trying.

Good luck. UP2LATE!

[Ruddigore]

You need to batch them together so you are studying similar topics. Drugs is a tough one to start with because it builds on several other tests. So if you have any other psych exams you need to take them all together so they all overlap.

Hear, hear!

I would also go for something you've always enjoyed. My first two tests were US History tests. I'm going for Humanities next since I love (classical) music and literature. If you've always shied away from history and lit, then I would recommend looking elsewhere.

Don't give up, Hugo!

[cookderosa]

pick some tests that have a smaller scope>>

Up2Late's suggestion is a very good one. If you imagine everything you need to learn in piles- how big would the astronomy pile be? (uhhhh....answer: huge)
How big would the pile for US History before 1965 be? Not so huge. (clue: there is no new information being added to that pile!)

You didn't share what you were doing to study- or how long-but there were a lot of good suggestions here. Simply put, you need to hit the books a little harder. What that actually means differs for each of us.

One last suggestion: brain dumping

Brain dumping is when you have a handful of facts that you can barely hang on to - for me, it was a list of dates- anyway, you cram cram cram up until the second you walk into the test center door. Sign in, take a seat, and when you get to start (the pre-exam screens not the test) use official scrap paper and start dumping it all into notes that you write on the spot. At the end of the exam, you do have to turn in your paper. This is NOT BRINGING IN notes- this is brining in material in your brain. I did this almost every test- and sometimes, the test itself provides bits of facts you can add to your notes and use on another questions (less often - but sometimes)

All the best!

[cookderosa]

Oh, one last thing. A failure is someone who is done. If you were a failure, none of us would know about it because you would have left the forum- and you wouldn't have embarrassed yourself by posting your scores- The fact that you posted here means that you are looking for a way up, that you want to succeed, and that you are teachable. Those, my friend, are traits of a winner.

[Levi]

Well I think im ready to move on ive found about 6 multiple choice quizes on astonomy and I already feel confident with the test ill take in 2 weeks. Only good news out of this all, is the test our free for me!

How are the tests free for you?

[radeonator2048]

HUGO,

Don't Give Up!

I have completed my degree at Excelsior but have failed a few exams as well. I failed Macroeconomics by 3 ponts. I failed Money and Banking by 1 point and I failed Analyzing and Interpreting Literature miserably. While I did not fail them all in a row, I was dissapointed and felt bad but I used it to motivate myself to study harder the next time and usually made an A on the next test.

You need to make a goal for a degree. Pick an associates or bachelor's that you want to pursue and work on it. TESC, and Excelsior are good schools and you can earn a degree in virtually anything.

Say you wanted a psychology degree you could start the CLEP intro to psychology. Study your IC questions and make sure you can answer 75%+ right before you take the test. The REA guide will help too. After you pass that test take another psychology test so you are grouping.

Grouping is key. Related topics go together and increase your study speed.

I would rather you study for a month and pass perfectly than to study for a week and fail by a point. You can do it but you will have to study enough. memorize the flashcards, checkout textbooks at the library and use the REA books. Only you can determine when you are ready. Once you pass a test you will feel so exhilerated, almost a high and will be inspired to do more. Once you have passed a few exams you will kind of know when to take the test and if you will pass.

You have good support. use this forum and memorize the flashcards and you can make it. Everybody is different and you will find out how to make it. You are doing the right thing by seeking advice. Pick a test in a subject you love and study your butt off.

Ever Upwards,

Aaron

[CLEP101]

How are the tests free for you?

He's military. CLEPs, DSSTs and ECEs are given free at the base's Education centers. One thing I caution my Soldiers about the ECEs, is that if they fail them and they later want to enroll at Excelsior is that the failed exams will affect their GPA as they are given letter grades.

[Scooper62]

SO did you fail after studying with the instacert?

[motuterry]

Firstly, you are not a failure. A failure is someone who quits. You are going to earn your degree. At the moment you are off to a difficult start. The good news is that you've identified the problem. Lack of preparation. Lots of folks are under the impression that credit by exam is some type of short cut for bypassing the learning part. It is not. Exams are simply a way to demonstrate your mastery of the subject. There are many ways to learn. Self study, work/life experience and brick and motar classrooms are just a few. Every person and every subject is different. Most folks achieve their degree goals using a combination of the above.

My suggestion is that you stop for a moment and take stock of yourself. What are your intersts, experience and background? Review both DSSTs and CLEP exam offerings and then choose ONE that matches. Next, join IC and review the specific exam feedback section for the test you have selected. Get a good feel if this one is right for you. Use the IC flash card system and also use any and all other sources suggested from your IC forum friends.

Take your time and study until you feel comfortable. Then take the exam and get a win under your belt! You can do this!

Good luck to you.

Terry

[SIMPLY_HUGO]

Sorry everyone I was in a required meeting all day! (10 hours). The reason behind the drug and alcohol abuse was just to get me started. Alot of people in the military wait to long and regret it. Im going for business administration.

My current plan, feel free to alter or make suggestions im all ears!

The percent is the military pass rate

Astonomy(52%)
Princles of Managment(67%)
Princles of Marketing(64%)
Intro to Business(81%)
Sociology(45%)

And I was debating college algebra I was an A, B student in highschool. Ive experienced math up to Pre-Calculus.