07-22-2006, 09:32 PM
Thanks for the good wishes and encouragement Snazz, Rob, Brian, and Kate! My best to all of you as well!
As Snazz requested, I thought I would give an update on the results of my last three DSST upper division exams:
Management Information Systems -- 59 (46 is the ACE minimum passing score)
Drug and Alcohol Abuse -- 62 (49 is the ACE minimum passing score)
Civil War and Reconstruction -- 56 (47 is the ACE minimum passing score)
All three tests were mailed out on the same date and I received them all 16 days later. I was so excited when I saw that big envelope in the mail, so I tore it open as quickly as I could. However, when it came time to read the results, I paused. I knew that if I didn't pass even one of them, I would not be able to graduate early (in December). However, I was thrilled and relieved to read one passing score after another! Yeah!!!
On another topic . . . I appreciated your breakdown on the money you are saving by taking CLEP/DSST/ECE exams, Snazz. As you mentioned, it will be different for each person. Nevertheless, even taking a couple of tests can easily save someone over $1000 in tuition costs!
As some of you have mentioned, there seems to be a lot of resistance toward "testing out." In my experience, I have found that some people don't think they can pass because they are not good test takers, and some think of this as a form of cheating the system. At this point, I don't bother to talk about the fact that I am taking CLEPs and DSSTs. I focus on the fact that I am in college, studying various subjects, and working toward finishing my degree. I attend a top-tier B&M state university, and take a mix of online courses and CLEPs/DSSTs, and I can vouch for the fact that I have studied hard for both my courses and my CLEP/DSST exams. It is all valuable learning to me!
I know that many traditional-aged college graduates today are leaving school with sometimes tens of thousands of dollars worth of debt. What a way to start out in life! I imagine that there are quite a number of them even at my own university! CLEP/DSST testing, merit-based scholarships, and finishing the first two years at a local junior college (taking online classes) has made my total overall costs for an AA degree and BA degree under $2000 combined!
Call me a "tester"; it doesn't bother me. When I graduate, I will be grateful that my bank account did not suffer because I finished my degree.
As Snazz requested, I thought I would give an update on the results of my last three DSST upper division exams:
Management Information Systems -- 59 (46 is the ACE minimum passing score)
Drug and Alcohol Abuse -- 62 (49 is the ACE minimum passing score)
Civil War and Reconstruction -- 56 (47 is the ACE minimum passing score)
All three tests were mailed out on the same date and I received them all 16 days later. I was so excited when I saw that big envelope in the mail, so I tore it open as quickly as I could. However, when it came time to read the results, I paused. I knew that if I didn't pass even one of them, I would not be able to graduate early (in December). However, I was thrilled and relieved to read one passing score after another! Yeah!!!
On another topic . . . I appreciated your breakdown on the money you are saving by taking CLEP/DSST/ECE exams, Snazz. As you mentioned, it will be different for each person. Nevertheless, even taking a couple of tests can easily save someone over $1000 in tuition costs!
As some of you have mentioned, there seems to be a lot of resistance toward "testing out." In my experience, I have found that some people don't think they can pass because they are not good test takers, and some think of this as a form of cheating the system. At this point, I don't bother to talk about the fact that I am taking CLEPs and DSSTs. I focus on the fact that I am in college, studying various subjects, and working toward finishing my degree. I attend a top-tier B&M state university, and take a mix of online courses and CLEPs/DSSTs, and I can vouch for the fact that I have studied hard for both my courses and my CLEP/DSST exams. It is all valuable learning to me!
I know that many traditional-aged college graduates today are leaving school with sometimes tens of thousands of dollars worth of debt. What a way to start out in life! I imagine that there are quite a number of them even at my own university! CLEP/DSST testing, merit-based scholarships, and finishing the first two years at a local junior college (taking online classes) has made my total overall costs for an AA degree and BA degree under $2000 combined!
Call me a "tester"; it doesn't bother me. When I graduate, I will be grateful that my bank account did not suffer because I finished my degree.