What online prep to use

[daverp]

I just enrolled in my local community college after a 13 year break since High School. MY employer is pushing me and is willing to pay for half of any degree(s), so I’m going to take advantage of it. I'm planning to test out as much as possible. I want to knock out College Composition and College Mathematics before I even take my first class. I don't want to have to sit though their three hour placement test for subjects I plan to test out of anyway.

I know this will be a loaded question on this board. What is the best online prep for the CLEP exams?


Thanks,
Dave

[creative]

I want to knock out College Composition and College Mathematics before I even take my first class.

How much time do you have before you start your first class? Are you enrolled for this semester? I have not taken either of the tests you mentioned but I know a lot of people on the board get their Math credits done through ALEKS or Straighterline instead of a Clep test. Folks on here seem to speak highly of these options for Math credit-- and they are also cost effective. Do a search on here as there are a lot of threads on both Aleks and SL. If you do choose to take Clep, I think most people on here would agree that IC is definitely a great resource to study for the Cleps, Dssts and ECEs. However, most people don't put all their eggs in one basket and they try to supplement their studying with other resources. I use REA guides, Official Clep guide, Wiki, used textbooks from Amazon, YouTube, iTunes Univ, Specific Exam Feedback etc etc. There are many options out there. Congrats that your employer is helping pay the tuition!

[daverp]

How much time do you have before you start your first class? Are you enrolled for this semester? I have not taken either of the tests you mentioned but I know a lot of people on the board get their Math credits done through ALEKS or Straighterline instead of a Clep test. Folks on here seem to speak highly of these options for Math credit-- and they are also cost effective. Do a search on here as there are a lot of threads on both Aleks and SL. If you do choose to take Clep, I think most people on here would agree that IC is definitely a great resource to study for the Cleps, Dssts and ECEs. However, most people don't put all their eggs in one basket and they try to supplement their studying with other resources. I use REA guides, Official Clep guide, Wiki, used textbooks from Amazon, YouTube, iTunes Univ, Specific Exam Feedback etc etc. There are many options out there. Congrats that your employer is helping pay the tuition!

I was surprised when they made the offer. I’ve been there 12 years and they know I get recruited frequently so I think in part is just their way to keep me there, but I’m ok with that, it’s a fair trade.

My first class in not until January. I’ll have to look into the other options. The only option the consular mentioned was CLEP.

[rmroberts]

Naturally most people on here are going to say InstantCert is the best online prep - I am one of them. The flashcards in conjuction with specific exam feedback is gold. I have used one other online prep - speedyprep. I was not very satisfied with their stuff, and I failed my test even though it told me I was ready. It seems to work for some people, but not me. I haven't failed a test I used InstantCert for. Like creative said, most people, including me, prefer to supplement a little with other stuff. Like Free Clep Prep or good 'ol wikipedia. But every test I have relied solely on IC for I have passed.

[Maniac Craniac]

I hate to overwhelm you with sources, but all of the below are free and provide in-depth lessons on a multitude of subjects. The first one is my favorite CLEP-specific site. The last one is a way to take "classes" for free. You can then finish up your studies by then taking the appropriate CLEP.

Free Clep Prep.com
About.com: Need. Know. Accomplish.
Get Homework Help with CliffsNotes Study Guides - CliffsNotes
Apple - iTunes U - Learn anything, anywhere, anytime.
Free Online Course Materials | MIT OpenCourseWare

EDIT: My absolute favorite resource of all is my public library. Don't neglect it!

Also, when using a source, make sure to check that the chapters and lessons match up to the content areas of the exam.

[skyfall123]

I don't want to have to sit though their three hour placement test for subjects I plan to test out of anyway.

It depends on how much free/spare time you have, the value of your time, and the extent to which you want to spend that time tracking down information that may or may not be relevant to the CLEP/DSST/TECEP/ECE. For me Instacert was great because I could prepare for each exam in about a week. The reason is because Instacert covers the major points of each subject. You can certainly take weeks or even months studying for any subject if you have the time or desire to devote to it....but for me the whole point of testing out of exams was to NOT spend weeks or months delving into the minutia of each subject. In all seriousness, is it really necessary to devote an entire course to Organizational Behavior? Really? Do I really need to explore how someone who has never owned or run a business thinks that I should incorporate their techniques into the workplace? How about this philosophy "come to work on time, do your job and leave all of your personal baggage at home or go to work somewhere else?"

With an average of one week of Instacert preparation per subject (and reviewing the flashcards a minimum of 6-8 times) and filling in with the supplemental information as needed, I was able to earn 72 credits in less than 6 months while still working 50-60 hours a week.

Once you embrace the IC method, then it becomes even easier as time goes on to prepare for each subject.

Now can other people use other sources to achieve the same results? Certainly....and I wouldn't suggest that any of a dozen other methods wouldn't or couldn't work...but for myself and many others that have plenty of life and work experience and whose goal was to earn the three or six credits per subject and move on, the IC method proved to be the quickest method to earn credit.

Now as a business owner I might be a little more sensitive to this subject, because time is money for me, and I couldn't study on my bosses time or in my parents basement....so just like in business I was looking for the quickest and most efficient way to earn the credits so that I could quickly move on. For me IC was the answer. For others with time and money to spare any of a dozen other methods could work including the obvious, which is to just take the course.

[creative]

The only option the consular mentioned was CLEP.

Ok, that is good to know. I know the "big 3" take Aleks and SL ... but if your school only takes Clep... well that is what you need to stick with. I would think you have plenty of time before January to take the tests that you need. IC is certainly a good resource as most folks on this board would agree. It is only $20 a month subscription-- for that price it is worth a try for one month and see if you like it. I think you even get your money back if you don't like it. You have nothing to lose. I was skeptical myself at first-- but for that price , I figured why not. Although I do not rely on IC exclusively-- I do supplement with other sources-- I really like Specific Exam Feedback which has helped me zero in on what I need to study.