Is CLEP right for me?

[barcotta]

Another quick question - Does IC only ask questions? Do they give you something to study first before just bombarding you with questions? I just signed up and I don't know any answers to ANYthing!! Also, what is the difference between DSST and CLEP?
Thanks

CLEP is the College Board's examination program. DSST (also called DANTES in some circles) was derived from a military examination program I believe but is available to civilians--usually from the same sources that offer CLEPS. Both are multiple choice--with just a few exceptions--none of which I encountered. CLEP exams require you to choose from five possible answers; DSST from four. The CLEP user interface looks like a child's game from Windows 3.1 days. DSST exams look more like a modern computer program.

Yes--IC only asks questions. Everyone has a different method for using the flashcards and you can find them on the forum here and there. Basically--you're obviously not going to know the answer to much of anything (but I bet you knew the answer to the first question or at least could have made an educated guess given the subject...) the first time through so just read the question and the answer and move on to the next question. You might want to break them up into groups of 20 or so. Then go back and do it again. You'll discover that you've magically picked up a few and will already remember them. Maybe 2-3, maybe 4-5. Just keep doing that till you're getting most of them and move on. You don't need to remember the EXACT terminology used and spelling, etc. because your test will be multiple choice.

Repeat that process for the next set of 20 questions and so on until you're done. Then take a practice test and see how you do. Fill in some of the areas you need more practice in with other materials and when you think you're ready, go take the exam. If you click on the Sociology link in my signature below you can read my feedback on that test (combined with MIS).

Now--I imagine your next question will be something like, "But--how will I KNOW I'm ready?" Here's the thing:

I firmly believe that you only have to be certain of the answer to half of the questions on the actual exam to pass. If you're certain of half--you'll be able to narrow down most of the rest to the best two answers--and you'll just guess on a handful. If you only get half of the REST of the questions correct, you'll pass. The odds are in your favor. Remember, CLEP tests are normed to the AVERAGE student who obtained a "C" after taking the actual class. You only have to prove that you have picked up as much as an average C student--not a high C student or the best C student--an AVERAGE C student. I bet you can do that. Good luck.