Scared to Death!!

[futureteacher]

I have never taken a CLEP test and I am considering it now. I have been out of H.S. for 20 plus years and have just signed up at my local college. My memory is fried and I am scared to taking a CLEP and failing. I want to try to get through my college journey as quick as possible....Help!!!

[JanusthePhoenix]

Be not afraid. Welcome to the CLEPiverse. eeya:

There is a load of good info in the archives of the General Discussion board if you just want to get an idea of what you are getting into. Poke around for a bit, you will learn a lot. Did you have any specific fears we can allay?

[TMW2010]

First thing I would to is plan a course of attack on the CLEPs... Find out what's accepted at your school and how many are accepted.

Then I would figure out which ones that you're going to take, and put them in a logical order. Some CLEPS build on information from other ones. Put the subjects that you're most comfortable at the top of the list.

For study materials for them, InstantCert, the official CLEP guide, and the REA books, with a healthy dose of Wikipedia. The CLEP guide & REA books have practice tests, and there's also practice tests online from Peterson's... Use the search function for the forums to find out how to access them.

Give yourself plenty of time to study for the tests, and don't panic... Before the test, get some good solid sleep, and eat a good meal with some protein.

Get in there, take the test (Warning: the test interface looks like it was made in the late 80s,) give yourself plenty of time to move through the questions.

[futureteacher]

I have the history of forgetting everything once a test has been placed in front of me. I am just nervous about studying the wrong thing and just bombing completely.

[Ruddigore]

I have the history of forgetting everything once a test has been placed in front of me. I am just nervous about studying the wrong thing and just bombing completely.

A good first step would be to soak in all the excellent information our webmaster has posted in his CLEP Study Guide. It includes tips on preparing for the actual taking of the test -- to help you to get what you've learned from mind to test computer as efficiently as possible.

What is your college's testing cap? (Generally, this is set at about 30 credits.) Good luck with your CLEPs & DSSTs!

[JanusthePhoenix]

CLEP exam descriptions and DSST fact sheets are the most accurate sources for finding out exactly what will be on a test.

CLEP: Exam Descriptions
DSST - GetCollegeCredit.com

That said, IC and feedback from users here are second-hand information, BUT are the most useful IMO. Peterson's practice tests are the best way to beat your fear of a test and see exactly where you are. If you look around, there's info on the board somewhere on how to get them for free. The practice tests in the official CLEP study guide are also good.

[Katterina]

What subjects do you need to test out of? Some tests are easier than others and we can help you find one with a higher pass rate to start off with.

I was scared to death during my first test... and very nervous for all the rest as well! But it was very well worth it and time efficient in the long run and I would absolutely do it all over again.