Is there direction on here for beginning testing as a freshman in high school?

[sewhappy]

If there is, just point me there, please! I've looked around for the past hour and can't find what I need. My oldest will begin hs in the fall and wants to begin to test out of college classes. I'm familiar with college plus, but just don't feel like I need that much hand-holding. The plan is to test out of whatever he can prior to enrolling in TESC or similar. I would like to tweak his hs course of study so he can study, get hs credit, then test, then move on to his next subject. I know that each hs credit will not have a corresponding test, but want to do all we can that way. Where would I begin? Does it matter?

Thanks!

[Snickerdoodle]

I just want to say that I'm at the end of the exact same journey, and it was absolutely wonderful. I would suggest starting with CLEP History of the U.S. I & II, and American Government. Also try CLEP English Composition. You may want to tackle CLEP College Math or College Algebra after your son has had a few more years of hs math under his belt. Those are great for both hs and college credit. Do you know your son's general direction (arts or science)? Let me know any more questions you might have or send me a message. I'd love to share all that my parent and I have learned.

Snickerdoodle

[Publius]

Being a Junior in High-School (and now college), I’d recommend one of two “starts” if your freshman has a firm foundation.

(1) Any course that your freshman would of recently completed (Biology, Math, History etc.) would be a good place to start testing as it would the most fresh and require the least preparation.

Any of his personal strengths would also be a good start. Good in math? College Math and Algebra are practically gimmies. Likes English/Literature? Everything from College Comp, to Humanities, to Analyzing and Interpreting Literature. History? U.S. His I+II, Western Civ I+II, Social Sciences and History. And so forth.

Regardless of which major (if you have one picked out already or not), College Comp is required for all degrees, and even some of your more rigorous course have plenty of general education and/or free electives.

Basically, most exams are going to be able to fit into a degree (there are some exceptions such as receiving credit for the Algebra CLEP OR the DSST but not both). Take what your freshman is comfortable/strong in and "get used to testing" with the areas that will require minimal preperation.

There are multiple people on here who will be more then happy to assist you in putting a degree template together. In addition to the information you’ll glean from here and the specific exam feedback area, you may want to check out Free-Clep-Prep.com if you haven’t already.

God Bless and best of luck to you and your freshman’s success!

[hahtjh]

Hi sewhappy! My oldest just started clep testing this year - working on his independent study degree with TESC. He's in 10th grade and I wish I would have started when he was a freshmen in hs - your'e ahead of the game . If you haven't read it yet, I highly recommend the book "College Without Compromise" College without Compromise at http://www.booksonthepath.com . It will walk you through step by step and give you lots of ideas on how to begin. Also, on the forums here I came across CLEP LESSON PLANS which are lesson plans for homeschoolers who wish to take clep tests. Also the Clep for Homeschool yahoo group is helpful - all on there are mamas of homeschooled highschoolers ClepForHomeschool : ClepPrep. Not to mention those here are always quick to answer questions as they come up - as you embark on the journey, you'll have tons of questions. God Bless! Heather

[Gooberman11]

I agree with others. I started as a Frosh. Took hs biology-studied the forum then took Biology Clep, did frosh english then Analyzing and Inter Lit, highschool US 1 then clepped US 1. Soph year: Amer Lit, US 2, Int. Alg (Aleks). This year Math Clep, dual enrollment Art Appreciation, Art of Western World, Anatomy 1 & 2 (Straighterline), 14 FEMA. Studying now for Humanities, Eng comp, Psych and Soc.

For me it helped to take a full highschool course my Frosh year before I Clepped a subject. It gave me confidence that I knew the subject. Now as a junior I prefer to take a semester (or less) and then Clep. I also feel it is important to actually learn a subject; not just cram and then forget it.
Enjoy the journey.

[clep3705]

Keep in mind that CLEP tests can be retaken after 6 months. There's no penalty for failing a CLEP test other than the testing fee.

You don't want to take College Composition one month before starting college and fail by one point. You wouldn't be able to retest soon enough. Starting early is a great idea.

[cookderosa]

If there is, just point me there, please! I've looked around for the past hour and can't find what I need. My oldest will begin hs in the fall and wants to begin to test out of college classes. I'm familiar with college plus, but just don't feel like I need that much hand-holding. The plan is to test out of whatever he can prior to enrolling in TESC or similar. I would like to tweak his hs course of study so he can study, get hs credit, then test, then move on to his next subject. I know that each hs credit will not have a corresponding test, but want to do all we can that way. Where would I begin? Does it matter?

Thanks!

Can I ask if you're homeschooling or would this be an "after school project" for her?

[sewhappy]

Thanks for all the fabulous replies! Sorry for the long delay in reposting...we didn't have internet for a while. It is finally fixed and I am one happy woman!

Cookderosa...we homeschool.

I had wondered *when* would be a good time to start. Giving him some time to get high school started sounds like a good idea. I, too, want him to learn it and not just cram and forget it.

He already studies most subjects in a modified block format. For example, he'll spend several weeks on science, then several on grammar, etc. He seems to enjoy it and he definitely retains a lot more that way. I think that may help him with studying for cleps.

[cookderosa]

Thanks for all the fabulous replies! Sorry for the long delay in reposting...we didn't have internet for a while. It is finally fixed and I am one happy woman!

Cookderosa...we homeschool.

I had wondered *when* would be a good time to start. Giving him some time to get high school started sounds like a good idea. I, too, want him to learn it and not just cram and forget it.

He already studies most subjects in a modified block format. For example, he'll spend several weeks on science, then several on grammar, etc. He seems to enjoy it and he definitely retains a lot more that way. I think that may help him with studying for cleps.

If you're willing to be a guinea pig, let me email you a rough draft chapter of my thoughts s on this? I just finished a book, and I'm not yet through the editing process, but it's *literally* how to organize your homeschool for learning and credit earning. If not, that's cool too, I'll still answer in this thread. If you want that chapter, send me a pm with your email addy.

I like the block format, and yes, that lends itself to testing. What curriculum are you using now that you're going to stick with? Some brands like Rosetta Stone, Saxon, etc will already prepare him. The difference is that he's going to study the subject and then test, vs simply studying FOR the test. I'd love to help you make a plan. Adults here (myself included) tend to get right into the meat of the testing, like with REA guides (excellent btw) but that's not necessarily a semester's worth of learning. There isn't any writing or critical thinking, which can become an issue. I think a blend is the way to go. He can still leave each grade level with 3-15 or more credits and after 4 years have his AA degree. (there are options that allow him to earn his BA degree before HS graduation, but I'm not a fan- just my two cents on that)

[Gooberman11]

Cook,
May I ask why you aren't a fan of graduating hs near the same time as a BA? I didn't start out to accomplish the BA, but I could end up close to finishing both at the same time. Is there a reason I shouldn't continue on this path? I respect your opinion and appreciate hearing your perspective. Thanks.