What test to take first

[cookderosa]

Hello Linda.

First thing's first. Before your son starts worrying about what CLEPS he's going to take, you need to find out what the local cc's CLEP policies are exactly. Most colleges have their own CLEP policies which may vary tremendously from school to school.

It would not make sense to be picking exams when you don't know what the school will accept or not. First look at the college's CLEP policy. Second, make sure you know what their score requirements are for granting credit (i.e, scores needed to pass for credit above the ACE Score). Third, make sure you know what their maximum allowance for CLEP credits are. For example...at my local cc here in Dayton, OH, they will only accept up to 45 CLEP credits for transfer into a degree program.

Also...it might be beneficial to your son if he has access to this site. I think this site alone would be enough to give your son that extra kick in the pants! I believe once he sees how easy (and quick) it is to earn a degree using CLEP along with InstantCert that he will be transformed with a renewed motivation.

As far as what tests he should take first...I believe I could be of more assistance if I had a general idea of what your son's career interests and degree program choices are. For instance, is your son going to go for his BA or BS right after the local cc? If so...why even bother with the cc in the first place? He can earn an AA (at least) without ever stepping foot in a classroom. And based on what you stated before about the things he loathed about school, CLEP should be a perfect option for your son.

For example...I am going for my BA in Communications through TESC and I'm only 8 exams away from my Associate in Arts Degree. That's 60 credits and I don't have to step foot into one college classroom (local cc included). If that's not motivation enough for your son, I don't know what is!

Sorry for the long post. Get back to me when you can about your sons interests and possible career choices and I can be of more benefit to you. In the meantime...Peace be with you.

From a loyal degree seeker,

Marshall

I agree with everything Marshall said.

Also, most college classes WILL be "easy and boring" like his high school classes. In other words, it might not be the class, it might simply be your son. I'm not being insulting, only to point out that perhaps your son needs to find his passion in life! Could he be more of a hands on person? Is there a hobby or trade occupation that he would thrive in? While all degrees require some classroom classes, your local community college probably has hundreds of classes that are not in the arts and sciences. In my community college, we have over 200 FULL PROGRAMS that are not arts and science (transfer).

As to honors math and science....how "honors" was he? Honors as in calculus based physics? Or honors as in AP Chemistry? Or honors as in College Prep Trig/Pre-Cal? Also, are these his areas of interest and natural talent, or was he tracked into these programs based on test scores at an earlier age and forced to sink or swim for the past several years?

These are some issues he will need to examine.

I say this gently and with compassion, but as a college instructor for 16 years, I have to say that the only people who get through are the ones who want it for themselves. Even of those, sometimes people just don't like school.

An option might be to delay college entrance this fall and he can CLEP at home. Maybe even take an online class. I suggest this because he wouldn't have to wake up early, he could be a little more in control of his time spent in class, and it might give him what feels like a break, while he is still in fact earning credits.

While I normally would agree with Marshall about finding out the college's CLEP policy ahead of time, if he isn't certain that THIS is the college he wants to attend in a certain program, he really should just jump in and take some tests anyway.
English Comp, in my digging, is the LEAST accepted exam out there. I also found plenty of examples of colleges which do not accept Analyzing and Interpreting Literature, Biology, and US History. That doesn't mean your son's college won't, but if you are hedging your odds, it's something to think about.