Why have I failed two tests

[Keishabj1]

I took my first test which is one of the easiest test without studying... Here's to your health. I made a 387. Won't ever do that again. Then I signed up for IC flash cards. My next test was Lifespan Development. I got my results today and I scored 37 . What am I doing wrong? I'm scheduled to take US History I April 5th. I have to pass in order to graduate in May 2011. Can you all give me any advice? After the hsty exam I now have to go back and test again for an elective also.

[jmichelle79]

Don't be to hard on yourself, it happens. I'm still working out the kinks in my study habits.. i just took an exam and passed.

What i just did with my last test and will continue to do until i find a better way is....

1st. go to specific feed back and collect all the advice you can from other posters. Make a list of things that are recommended.

2nd. take your time and research according to advice, for example: Know what elephants like to eat. find answer and make a note. Do this until you have answered and researched all the questions.

3rd. go through instant cert and add any relative info to your notes.

4th. Take practice test, add relative info to notes. I also bought practice books from amazon for more tests.. i think im in the minority of buying the books but I need all the help i can get.

5th (i'm a nerd so i take the notes with me everywhere and read them when im waiting for things.)

6th. double check advice forum before test,, something new could be added.

[ryoder]

Make sure you read a textbook like the REA books if applicable. If not applicable read one of the textbooks listed on the dsst site for the exam. Don't expect to pass a class with instantcert alone if you don't have prior knowledge of the material.
Instantcert allows your brain to think it is learning sometimes because you know the word that goes in the text box. That's why I use it to drill after I have learned elsewhere.

[Keishabj1]

Thanks, trying something new may help me this time. I've depended mostly on IC flashcards

[jmichelle79]

For US history rent 'America The Story of Us" it is a history channel, put out last summer. I haven't taken this test yet, but my friend says it is very accurate.

America The Story of Us — History.com TV Episodes, Schedule, & Video

[Keishabj1]

Ryoder thanks I didn't think about that. I thought IC was the best, but you're right I have learned the fill in the blank pattern

[Keishabj1]

Thanks I'll look into it. I also have the history channel

[FinancialWorld]

Never use just IC. The flash cards are just part of the method of learning the info (I'm sure the people at IC will agree). Everyone learns differently and everyone's knowledge of specific subjects varies. Follow what the previous posters said and you'll do fine. For some subjects you may rely solely on the flash cards (also taking a practice test), while others may require extensive study from other sources (like Money & Banking DSST) because you don't have a lot of prier knowledge of the subject.

For me the best way to test if I'm ready to take the exam is doing a practice test. It helps to solidify the information in my head and shows whether or not I really know and understand the subject.

[frankiebleyes]

Buy and read the Cliff's Quck Review. I used this as my main study guide and read through IC cards. I took the Peterson practice tests after reading U.S. History I Cliff's Quick Review book (cost used about $7.00). I passed with a decent score and did the second for U.S. History II.

Best of luck.

[burbuja0512]

I took my first test which is one of the easiest test without studying... Here's to your health. I made a 387. Won't ever do that again. Then I signed up for IC flash cards. My next test was Lifespan Development. I got my results today and I scored 37 . What am I doing wrong? I'm scheduled to take US History I April 5th. I have to pass in order to graduate in May 2011. Can you all give me any advice? After the hsty exam I now have to go back and test again for an elective also.

Here's to your health is easy, but not without studying. Don't feel bad though, I've failed a test too. It happened because of too little studying and assuming that the test would be easy. All tests can be easy if you study enough and any test can be difficult if you're not prepared.

For every test I've taken, I've followed the same strategy. I go through the IC cards and the specific forum feedback. Sometimes I'll download study guides from the forum and sometimes I'll buy books or use websites to supplement IC. I usually go with what the specific forum feedback people recommend.

I allow myself one to two weeks of study, with at least two hours a night. Yes, you will see me and others comment about tests that we've taken cold, but you need to keep a few things in mind. You CAN take a test cold if you've got life experience in a given area, but if you don't, it's almost impossible. For example, I took Spanish totally cold. On the surface you could say "wow.. Spanish must be an easy test if she could score an 80 with no studying!" So how did I take it cold and do so well? I lived in Mexico for 6 years. It's just giving me college credits for the school of life and all the effort I put in to learning the language.

I hope that helps clear things up. You can do it, but unless you already have a strong background in the testing subject, don't go into a test with less than 10 hours of study under your belt. It sounds very easy to just go in and test out of something, but it does require some effort.