Two attempts and still cannot pass Principle of Management CLEP...

[bricabrac]

I hear you on the flashcards, sometimes I can barely get through one set. Like dewisant said, you can just keep flipping through them like a book. In fact the study guide from the SF forum is a copy/paste of some of the IC answers.

What was the actual test like? Scenarios? I've heard rumors about that. If so, how long were they?

I thought this test was easy and the flashcards were very good. I reviewed the cards I think 3 times and took the test but I do have practical experience in understanding facets of management. Don't study so much the theorist but learn the theory. It is more about recognizing the management styles and processes. It's good to know the history of the styles because some are very similar. By knowing the history it becomes easier to recognize the slight differences. Hopefully you understand my point. Also run through the first few sets of Human Resources and organizational behavior as well as review Supervision for further clarity. They all repeat and build off of the same information. Be sure to review specific feedback for precise points to hit. Personally, I thought the refreshed supervision exam got more in the weeds than management (ISO, accounting, economics...).

Good luck!

Edit to add: Vroom was mentioned in the specific feedback forum. If memory serves I also left notes.

[bricabrac]

I find it hard to believe that I would get a different version both times. I took a look at the specific feedback forum. Some people recommended the Cliff Notes book, which is why I used it. I amazed that they were able to score above a 60.

There is not one specific topic that I had trouble with. The was nothing like what I studied. Should I try REA or Comex next time? My only problem is that both of those books are pretty old too.

EDIT: I did not go through IC. I cannot stand going through hundreds of flash cards like that. I would rather read a book. I may try IC next time, though....

I found this exam to be outdated actually. What's new (post 80's) is the matrix style of management and MBO's. If memory serves MBO's became the main tool in the late 80s, early 90s and the matrix style of managment/cross management teams became a staple to handle global management. As mentioned in my post to dcan, I would advise using IC flashcards along with specific feedback. Also review org behavior, human resource management (first few sets) and supervision. They all build on each other and repeat the same information from varied viewpoints. Just flip through until you grasp the management styles, systems, MBO, group think, managment accounting measures, etc. I scored 63 with very limited review. Again, I do have practical experience in this area.

This may also be a subject you need to take in seat?

[ryoder]

I highly recommend the REA CLEP book for this test. I passed with a 72 if memory serves using only REA.

[tro6pt]

OMG!! I am set to take the test Saturday! I've spent tons of time studying Peterson's, Cliff Notes and Instantcert's flashcards. UGH!! I am worried about the test as well!! Has anyone else taken it recently?? This will be my 1st test out I have ever done and what is the point of doing all of this studying if the information is not even covered on the test?? Very concerned!!! Any suggestions?

[Tasman]

My suggestion is seeing you belong to IC, go and check out the specific feedback forum! Everyone has different learning styles and different levels of knowledge regarding a particular subject. If you are in doubt about sitting a test, then you are usually not ready to take it.

[dcan]

Ok so I got a 75 today, not bad. Took about 45 minutes.

Here's what I recall of the breakdown, all approximate:

10% Marketing (i.e. I knew it from the Marketing CLEP)
10% HR & Labor Relations
10% Leadership, Power, & Authority
10% Theory (esp. Hawthorne, just beat a dead horse already)
20% Organizational Structure & Communication (i.e. divisional structure, communication lines, etc)

Study guides: Very old 1992 management textbook, Cliff's Notes site, and IONA College Principles of Management audio course on iTunesU. Plus I already have a background in management.

The questions were less like the expected "Who is considered the head of the Behavioral School?" and more like "If Jane wanted to increase productivity in her workcenter, her best approach would be to (a) flog them (b) offer them more money © consider job enlargement (d) pay more attention to the workers."

If you understand the theories you can reason through it like this:

(a) This is coercive power and is much less effective, since leadership is the art of getting people to want to do what you want them to do.
(b) This is more of a hygiene/satisfier and not a motivator.
© This may make them more interested, but not necessarily more productive.
(d) Let's beat that dead horse again. And again. And again.

So if you understand the Hawthorne Studies you know the answer. Of course this is a made up question, but you get the idea.

I'd say probably half the questions were like this. Don't just regurgitate, understand and apply.

x-posted to specific feedback