Natural Sciences CLEP- can I pass if I'm terrible at Chemistry?

[jacobsladder]

I've been lurking for a few weeks here, and you guys are the best. Yesterday I passed the Bio CLEP with a 73. I used Instacert, Sparknotes AP Bio, Peterson's, and youtube videos. The feedback on this forum really helped me study.

In exactly 12 days I'm scheduled to take the Natural Sciences exam, and I'm on a very tight schedule since I'm trying to graduate by May 29th and I'm taking American Government and Sociology CLEPs soon after (hopefully) passing NS.

I've read the exam specific feedback, but I want to know from people that took it whether I stand a chance at passing if I don't know any chemistry. I failed it in high school and got C's in Physics, which also figures into the Natural Sciences exam.

I can't balance an equation to save my life, so I went and bought The Complete Idiot's Guide to Chemistry (and the Physics Idiots book too). I am going to go through those two books as fast as possible, and I'm planning on studying 6 hours a day for the next 12 days.

With a 73 on the Bio exam, good knowledge of earth science/astronomy, do you think I have a chance of passing if I can't get my chem and physics up to snuff?

Does anyone know any good chemistry and physics websites? I've looked, but they are all too complicated. I need something soooooo simple, for someone that's bad at math!

[studyhard]

You might opt for the Sociology test first, since it's easy. That would give you an extra bit of time for the Natural Sciences test.

I hate chemistry so I took bio instead of NS. Can't help ya there....sorry!!!

[Scholar Interrupted]

If you got a 73 on Biology, my money would be on your comfortably passing Natural Sciences. I took NatSci over a year ago, but IIRC, biology is a very significant part of it. Yes, there is a lot of chemistry, but the only equations you have to balance are literally child's play -- just tokens to show you understand the concept. I'm a book nerd who barely eked out a C in high school chemistry 25 years ago, and I managed a 63 on the NatSci CLEP. That was after tons of study, of course. (I believe I posted specific exam feedback.)

If you don't have the Standard Deviants chemistry DVD, I recommend getting it. You're going to do fine!

[Sunshine]

I say go for it! You scored very well on your biology CLEP (congrats!), and biology is 50% of the natural science exam. I took NS right after biology, without knowing any chemistry or physics. If you have a chance to review some basics in those areas, you should be fine. Here are a couple of sites you might like:

Physics
Physical Science
Physics & Chemistry.

Chemistry
CHEMTUTOR
Rader's CHEM4KIDS.COM (don't laugh, it's great!)

Good Luck!

[jacobsladder]

Thank you for the website and book suggestions, but thank you most of all for the encouragement!

Studying is important, but having confidence will definitely help with CLEP too. I mean, without any confidence in yourself you end up changing all your answers at the last minute and shooting yourself in the foot!

It seems the Peterson's Natural Science practice exams are very hard. I took one in the middle of studying for Bio just to see how I would do, and I got a 48. I need a 53 to get credit at my school, so that's not too bad--- with another ten days of intensive study I think I can improve my score.

Anyone else have chemistry websites, books, or comments?

[bkbarden]

With a 73 on the Bio exam, good knowledge of earth science/astronomy, do you think I have a chance of passing if I can't get my chem and physics up to snuff?

Does anyone know any good chemistry and physics websites? I've looked, but they are all too complicated. I need something soooooo simple, for someone that's bad at math!

I took and passed Natural Sciences a few months ago with a 54. I am absolutely pathetic in all the sciences. Seriously. I won't embarrass myself by telling how long it took me just to understand cells and DNA, but trust me, it was painful.

You are so far ahead of me, I can't even begin to tell you. So... if I can pass this exam, I have no doubt in the world you can do it.

The book I used the most was COMEX Natural Sciences. It is very basic and breaks things down to a very simple level. I practically memorized the entire book. The Chemistry and Physic sections aren't that long, so I bet you could learn the information in there pretty quick. Remember, all you have to do is keep it in your brain long enough to pass the test.

One thing I did for Chemistry... I learned the abbreviations for the important elements (there was a list in COMEX) and also some of the important equations. (Such as Iron Oxide, things like that.)

I hope that helps a little. Again, you should be fine, especially if you keep studying. Good luck and God bless!

[jayas]

Hi All am reading for natural science clep.I also has difficulty in physics and chemistry . So I thought I will mark the difficult questions and answer it later.But experts please help . I have a doubt that if we mark the question 1-10 and reached the end of the exam ( ie 120 question) and planning to answer the marked quesions 1-10. Can we do that. Some of the exams is like 1-50 and gets locked so if we reach 51 we cant see the 50th question. Is the clep exam like that. Please help.

[Farmerboy]

No the clep exam lets you go back at any time. The test only locks after you have agreed and then agreed again to leave. I also think that you will pass with few issues. I took NS without even taking highschool chemistry or physics at the time and pass with one of my highest scores.

[jayas]

Thank you Farmerboy. Your reply is verry much appreciated. Now I can go to the exam without much tensions. Hope I will get a pass mark. Thank you for your wishes again..........

[Levi]

From what I remember of the Natural Sci exam, I didn't have any questions where I had to balance equations. There really wasn't that much chemistry or physics content (BTW, I did not take physics in high school).

I studied using the Comex guide, the REA guide, and took some practice tests and got a decent score.