I'm reading reports on the forums that the computerized version of Principles of Finance, contrary to official DSST statements, does not have any financial tables, or an on-line calculator. I'm in the process of arguing that the 4-function calculator rule is in error, and I've presented a logical case for this (DSST Only Allows 4 Function Calculators - Page 2 - InstantCert Academy Education Forums. However, if I could point out that the Principles of Finance exam was totally lacking both financial tables and an on-line calculator, that would pretty much prove that in practice, a financial calculator is required for successfully completing the exam. So, I'd like to ask the following questions:

1) Are there any financial tables present on the computerized version of the exam? If so, how are they accessed?

2) Is there an on-line calculator present during the exam? If so, how is it accessed?

Thanks.

Has anybody taken an online statistics course that could be completed quickly and was not overly expensive?

I'm trying to see if there are any other options (besides Excelsior's version)just in case I don't pass this thing.

On the 06/27/06 I took the Principles of finance test and passed w/ a 62 (46 is passing)! I probably over studied because people freaked me out when they told me the pass rate is so low. but anyways, i passed, and i am happy.

I took the computerized version of this test and I want to make more verifications regarding the computerized version to date and give you some tips i used to study.

When I went to take the test, I had to pay $20 to the testing center to proctor the exam (pretty standard stuff they do). the dsst exam is $70. The only way you can pay for the exam is by credit card over the computer. One important note, insure you have more than one credit card in case you have problems getting one of them to work, as was my case, and it wasnt even because i had a negative balance!

WARNING!! Although they provide tables for PV and FV on the paper exam, they don't on the computerized exam, Even though i called them and they told me they would be provided on the computer screen. Therefore you only have two methods of calculating these problems (and they give you a lot of problems). One is to memorize the PV and FV for $1 and for anuities (YUCK!), or you can buy yourself a nice convenient financial calulator, i did the second. Be sure to become very familiar w/ your calculator and know how to use it before u go to the exam.

My test had 88 questions and i had 2 hours to complete the exam. I finished the exam with 32 minutes remaining, which amazed me! During the exam you are allowed to back to previous questions and they were nice enough to allow you to mark questions you want to return to at the end of the test. When you do get to the end, it will show you all the questions you answered and you can go back to any needed.

Things covered different types of ratios (memorize all the types of ratios!) you should know which ones are profitability, asset utilization, etc.

There will be many questions on PV, FV, and PV & FV of anuities. you should practice all types of questions regarding these, and in many instances you had to use more than one value to determine the answer.

I had a couple questions on EOQ, you should memorize the formula and know how to calulate it.

You must know all how to calculate future cash flows using all three methods (payback method, NPV, IRR)

there were questions and problems on financial leverage, operating leverage, and combined leverage.

I had a couple questions on credit terms (i.e 2/10 net 30).. those are easy questions don't miss out on those!

I had a question on calculating foreign currencies. while i studied and knew how to work these problems, the question was weird and i probably got it wrong.

know that common stock is the most expensive investment!

know what beta is and how to calculate CAPM

you need to know the steps to go through for determining net income on an income state as they will just give you parts of an financial statement and require you to calculate from it.


To study for the test, I used the following book exclusively:

Foundations of Financial Management 11
by Block, Stanley B. / Hirt, Geoffrey A. -
McGraw Hill, 2005,
ISBN 9780072977929

While many subjects were not covered that were in the book, I read every chapter. and it helped, it appeared that i didtn have any questions regarding the median values or derivitives, but good stuff to know anyways! Good luck to everyone!

If so, please share your story. It could be very useful for those that still need to take it. BTW, does anybody have any numbers on the pass/fail rate of this exam?

If I know the 152 definitions like the back of my hand can I pass this thing without knowing how to perform all of the calculations? The simple calculations that can be done with the magic buttons on the calculator are not a problem (mean, SD, etc.). However, the probability section is a problem for me. Luckily, it is only 20-25% of the exam. I'm guessing that the majority of the definition based IC cards are there simply to explain the calculations cards that follow. That being said, it might not even be that helpful to know all 152 if I don't know how to perform all the calculations of the other 86 IC cards.

I just know that many have said that this is a concept-based exam. By that are they implying that the majority of questions are based on the 152 definition cards, versus the 86 calculation cards, or am I reading into that incorrectly? Please advise.

Could have sworn the Psych exams were $190 a shot. They are now up to $205.

This was a difficult test for me. I passed with a score of 58, which makes this my 10th CLEP to take and pass, but I would not have been surprised had I failed it. I was not confident at any point during this exam.

I usually study IC flash cards and the REA book, and when I can answer all the practice questions with about a 90 to 95% accuracy rate I feel confident about the exam. I had reached this point a little earlier than I thought I would so I went ahead and scheduled the exam for today, July 6, 2007.

I read most of the post on the IC forum board regarding this subject and understood that this exam was a little more detailed and worded slightly different from the usual exams.

I can’t remember who stated that there were a lot of “what is the least” type questions, but whoever posted it was dead on. There seemed to be an usual amount of that type of question, which takes extra time to work through.

In addition, there were at least twenty questions regarding some theories that were not covered in IC, REA, or even Peterson’s. I usually don’t cover Peterson’s study material, but after reading all the post about this exam I decided I had better take extra precautions. I also read some on Wikipedia. Something I have never done before.

Of course I’m really happy to have passed this exam and feel quite lucky that I did pass it, but I feel that I should caution anyone who is thinking about taking this one to be really prepared for a tough exam.

I took and passed Intro to Psychology back in 2005, and read where this would help me with this exam as these exams dove tail each other, but I really can’t say it helped me all that much. Maybe because I waited so long before taking this one, but I don’t remember too many questions that were also on the Intro to Psychology exam being on this exam. Maybe my retention is worse than I thought.

So sorry for the long post but I like to give as I receive from this forum. Good luck to everyone and remember to think twice before taking this exam.

Best Regards, Jay




CLEPS

American Government 62
U.S. History I 58
U.S. History II 64
Intro Psychology 56
Humanities 51
Info Systems & Com App 60
Intro Sociology 73
Principles of Marketing 69
Principles of Management 71
Intro. Educational Psychology 58

Hey fellas,

Any ideas if these two links have changed or do the pages no longer exist?:

Posted in Statistics Thread:

ECE Statistics: http://www.inarng.org/Education/Educ...tistic_WEB.pdf

Online Quizzes: (use the drop down to navigate)
http://college.hmco.com/mathematics/...ite_index.html

Hi all,
I just took ECE Abnormal Psy Exam at Pearson tonite. When I finished the result sheet appeared and disappeared in about a second and a half. How is everybody finding out marks right away or was i suppsed to read something quickly? Any ideas? I'm going to call Excelsior on Monday to see if I can get results but I was very ticked to say the least that I didn't ahve my score after that torture. thanks

Hi All,

I just completed the online Operations Management course at CSU-Pueblo. Now I am considering the CSU-Pueblo's English 101 online course to fulfill my Written English Requirement (WER) for Excelsior.

Has anyone already taken this course? I would love to find out what you thought of it, and how you did etc.

Thanks in advance,
Snazzlefrag