Is "Pass Your Class" CLEP prep a scam?

[knucyt]

I used both to complete my degree and I think ShotoJuku's comments are spot on. I always used IC material when it was available, but only sometimes used PYC - ShotoJuku is right - PYC is not a scam but can definitely be a bit thin as far as the scope/depth of material covered for a particular exam-PYC is not usually as indepth as IC, I found it to be poorly written sometimes (grammar), and not always complete enough to pass an exam somewhat comfortably. Personally I think that the only reason to spend $$ on PYC is to get the bigger picture (topic framework) of the subject matter more quickly - IC gives it to you in bite-sized chunks that has many advantages but depending on the topic can also mean that the student has to connect the dots for him/herself (which personally helped my learning process but to be completely objective, it could be seen as both a pro and a con I imagine depending on the student). Sometimes connecting the dots was very easy for me and sometimes not.

IC wins hands down in terms of value for money IMO and the IC forums are a valuable and very comprehensive resource.

Ultimately, I think the decision to use PYC depends on individual learning needs, how you like to learn a topic, how much of a hurry you are in (someone else's consolidated learning material can obviously make studying for an exam quicker than collecting/creating your own notes in addition to using IC), and the extent of a student's pre-existing knowledge. Personally, I preferred using free resources and Barron's or REA books as my next choice of supplemental material after IC when I felt I needed it - I purchased PYC as a last resort three times when I could not get what I needed elsewhere within the timeframe I had. Out of the five PYC's I looked at (3 purchased/2 had access to) only the MacroEconomics PYC was worth the $$ for me.

[DDavis62]

I can agree with the previous posters that IC is a very strong/deep study source. I have used IC exclusively for four upper level DANTES and passed them all. I cannot say enough about IC and the specific exam feedback in this forum. Thanks to all who contribute.

I have only one PYC class book College Algebra which I am studying now. I plan on taking the peterson's practice tests after I go through the PYC book before I test.

I wonder if any of you have used the PYC algebra to pass the CLEP? I read in the specific exam feedback to score 50 or above taking the petersons practice tests and one should pass the CLEP.

I figured I had nothing to lose paying for the PYC since they will refund if I do not pass it.

[knucyt]

PYC material - refund if you fail - true if your primary concern is the actual dollars spent on the PYC material - I don't recall - do they also refund the cost of the exam? Of course, military personnel get to take the exams for free so that may be a differnt value proposition - but everyone else pays $90-100 per exam (exam fee + proctor fee) that may or may not be reimbursed by an employer. Personally, the time spent studying was even more important to me in my value proposition, not just the cost of the PYC material. I did not use PYC for any math exams.

[Levi]

All in all, I think PYC is relative-- just like IC really.

For some people, limited reading material is okay. Others find IC not all that much helpful (in terms of answering limited questions even with explanations may not give them enough foundation to answer other multiple choice questions).

I think it depends on your learning style. Personally, if the subject is very new-- I would NOT rely on just one resource.

You're right. I am sure that many people have found PYC to be very helpful, depending on their learning style. Forgive me if I sounded a little caustic in the title of my first post. If PYC were a scam, it wouldn't still be in business, right?

You live and learn. Some materials are going to be good for me, and some aren't.

[rileychica]

For those of you that have used Pass Your Class in the past...

What books did you find helpful or maybe not as useful as IC.

Personally, I've only used the American Literature guide and it was NOT as enlightening as I had hoped. It was a condensed version of the Idiot's guide and did not go into enough detail to be worth $22. HOWEVER, it did correctly summarize just about every author that i needed to know for the exam. For someone who isn't going to purchase the Idiots guide and is comfortable using Wiki the Pass Your Class guide is perfect. However you don't need the Pass Your Class and the Idiots guide - because a similar list is in the back of the Idiots Guide. I preferred the Idiots Guide because I was able to quickly identify authors/works that needed a bigger chunk of my time through the readings... But that was just my experience.

[motuterry]

For those of you that have used Pass Your Class in the past...

What books did you find helpful or maybe not as useful as IC.

Personally, I've only used the American Literature guide and it was NOT as enlightening as I had hoped. It was a condensed version of the Idiot's guide and did not go into enough detail to be worth $22. HOWEVER, it did correctly summarize just about every author that i needed to know for the exam. For someone who isn't going to purchase the Idiots guide and is comfortable using Wiki the Pass Your Class guide is perfect. However you don't need the Pass Your Class and the Idiots guide - because a similar list is in the back of the Idiots Guide. I preferred the Idiots Guide because I was able to quickly identify authors/works that needed a bigger chunk of my time through the readings... But that was just my experience.

I always use several sources for study. As far as I'm concerned IC is in a class by itself. It's a great tool and in my humble opinion far and away the best resource available! I have used Pass Your Class for several exams and generally found them helpful as an additional resource. Some are certainly better than others. World Religions was one of their better products and worth the $$ to me. In my view, Pass Your Class is a quick study source and useful when one needs a little more of an edge to get over the top.

[ShotoJuku]

For those of you that have used Pass Your Class in the past...

What books did you find helpful or maybe not as useful as IC.

[SIZE="3"]
Other Sources of CLEP & DSST Study Material[/SIZE]

REA Books, Comex Books, Pass Your Class Guides, Standard Deviants DVD's, Petersons Practice Exams, Dummies Books, Idiot's Guides .

[onebackdraft]

I used Pass your class study guides for American Government, Sociology, Human Growth and Development and pass them all. The best one was Amercan Gov. and Sociology. I highly recommend them.

[pmc2009]

I can tell you I have found the Pass Your Class guides very helpful in several instances but I have failed 2 exams using the guides - Clep Math and Drug & Alcohol. Now, I am not at all saying the guides were not good enough, I think I was just trying to cram too many tests into a short span of time. I have used several other guides and found them to be really good - Ethics, Environment and Humanity, Dantes Into to Computers, etc.

They do have the "pass or don't pay" guarantee but it has been a huge hassle to get my refunds back. The first time I failed a test I emailed my results over to them several times and never got a response. I finally had to dispute my claim through paypal and was refunded. This 2nd time I skipped the emailing part and just went right for the paypal dispute. It has been 2 weeks and I still have not received my refund.

I would say the guides are really good for the most part, but the customer service is lacking.