Straighter Line vs CLEP

[bryantmr]

I am re-posting this msg that was lost in the weekend files just in case it may be useful to someone else.

************
Hello all,

I need to get some credit to serve as prereq for B-school.

Here is the list:


1. Accounting 1____________________CLEP
2. Accounting 2____________________****
3. MacroEconomics_________________CLEP
4. MicroEconomics__________________CLEP
5. Finance_________________________DSST
6. Marketing_______________________CLEP
7. Business Law____________________CLEP
8. Human Resources________________DSST
9. Managment_____________________****
10. Quantitative Research____________****


The is a simple enough plan however I would like to evaluate subsituting the first four (Accounting and Economics) with Straighter line.

My reasonining is as follows:

A. I estimate the same amount of prep time for CLEP/Straighter Line

B. Inbound University Accepts ACE credits.

C. Straighter line provides a more structured approach.

D. On the surface CLEP seems like the more econmical method
however when you consider that I do not have to take a day
off of work (which has implications greater that loss of a days pay),
then Straighter line becomes a much more economical choice.

E. Also, there is no CLEP equivalent for Accounting 2, so straighter line
will allow me to obtain this credential without having to take the
undergrad course.

If anyone has experience with Straighterline please provide a comparison of this option against taking a CLEP test.

Use characteristics such as:

i. Time to complete
ii. Daily effort required
iii. Overall difficulty

************
irnbru replied

************

irnbru
Knight / Dame
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 114
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hi bryant,

If you can take individual experiences with a pinch of salt, hopefully this might be helpful. I can comment on Macro and Microeconomics with Straighterline(SL); I have also taken the Principles of Management and Marketing CLEPs.

The two economics courses with SL were completed within approximately two weeks of pretty intensive study. I wanted to get these out of the way as quickly as possible. Other exams/courses which I've done and helped were maths/stats courses and the two business CLEPs. I've worked with bancassurance and forex companies, which also helped put things in perspective.

The two CLEPs were pretty easy relative to other tests but I was familiar with the corporate jargon. Even without, most members here think they are among the easiest CLEPs. Your mileage may vary.

For the two SL courses, I worked on average during the continuous testing for perhaps one minute per question. There are one thousand questions. This is in addition to perhaps one or two minutes study time per question. So, total time for each course, 3000 minutes, or 50 hours. I don't need much sleep and work is quiet during August.


************

bryantmr replied

*************


bryantmr
Minor Noble Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 3
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Excellent information.

50 hrs per class is not so bad, and is at least on par with the average speed of CLEP test prep.

I have exactly 2 weeks before fall semester ( I will betaking the undergrad courses for which there is no CLEP/DSST equivalent).

I am going to attempt both Macro and Micro at 1 week each. If successful I will repeat the effort for Accounting 1&2 during the winter break.

This is my weekly study plan
5 hrs (lunch break 1 hr each)
20 hrs (nightly 4 hrs each)
16 hrs (weekend marathons 8 hrs each day)

This is only 36 hrs so I am coming up short however one or more of the following should help compnesate:

1. The adrenline to get this out of the way in such a convenient and efficient manner.
2. I watched the Economics USA series (in its entirety, just for the fun of it, long before I ever planned on taking any CLEP). I think that I have retained most of the information with the exception of formulas.
3. I have taken several courses in Artificial Intelligence (AI), some people feel that botjh decision theory and game theory subtopics share a common bond between AI and economics.



In your response you were able to break down the time into minutes per question (study/prep and test). I am curious about this. Are you able to take the course one question at a time? I have taken some CBTs where you could complete a module at a time however beyond that I have always been acustomed to studying up to a certain checkpoint than then being tested on that material in its entirety. Please explain.


************
irnbru replied

************

irnbru
Knight / Dame
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 114
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Each course consists of several graded exams, a graded midterm and a final exam. Each course has a total of 1000 questions to be answered.

The macroeconomics course is 19 graded exams of 40 questions each, plus two exams of 60 questions (worth double points). I averaged about 40 mins for each of the graded exams. I usually spent an hour or more going through the lessons and/or study material before each exam.

The microeconomics course is 24 graded exams of 30 questions each, plus two exams of 70 questions (worth double points). I averaged about 30 mins for each of the graded exams. Same timeframe as above for studying.

As I wanted to get through the courses ASAP, time-management was pretty ruthless. There was more study overall at the start of macroeconomics to find my feet which quickly decreased, then gradually increased as the material got harder. Some sections dealt with political stuff which went pretty quickly. The start of microeconomics was a bit of a refresher course for the first few exams, then diverged into specific stuff. Again, there was some political stuff that also went quickly.

In both courses I tended to start out well, getting >95% on the tests. Then, scores slipped as I pushed to complete within timescales (my own, not the courses') and the material became harder. The midterm/final exams I was well-prepared for with the earlier material and they went by quickly and provided good scores.

I didn't really enjoy the courses and guessed on more complex questions once I knew the overall score was going to be a pass. I prefer the arty side of things, I guess. Again, since you're looking to do postgrad study in business, you might find the work more interesting.

Hope this helps. Enjoy your stuff

[MRHTOAD76]

Thanks that was very helpful. I've been lurking a couple of weeks and this forum is awesome and provides a lot of great info!!