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Science help! - zmama32 - 01-26-2015
I need 9 Science credits for my degree at the CUNY School of Professional Studies. I decided to test out of science, since my school doesn't really offer science classes that I feel I would do well in. I am terrible in Chemistry and Physics, and I haven't taken Biology in a while.
I passed the Here's To Your Health exam with a 435, and will receive 3 science credits for it.
I took the Environment and Humanity DSST yesterday, and unfortunately, I only got a 393. I am extremely frustrated, as the exam covered more environmental policy than anything. I never saw the word "biome" throughout the whole exam, and every study guide emphasized studying biomes!
I need to apply for graduation by March 1st, so waiting to retake the exam is not an option. I still need 6 science credits. Which exam or exams do you all suggest? My school accepts DSST, CLEP and UExcel. Like I said, I'm terrible in chemistry and physics and anything with formulas.
I need help! I also need an elective test, and I am great in reading, writing, comprehension, etc. I was thinking Fundamentals of Counseling DSST?
Any advice????
Amara
Science help! - sanantone - 01-26-2015
Environment and Humanity was the easiest science exam you could have taken. The Astronomy DSST is physics-oriented, but I don't recall there being any calculations. If there are, they aren't a huge part of the test. I thought it was much more difficult than Environment and Humanity. Biology is not as difficult as physics and chemistry for those who don't like calculations, but it is a much more difficult exam than Environment and Humanity. Many schools award 6-8 credits for the Biology CLEP, but I don't know about yours. I used the Instantcert flaschcards for Environment and Humanity, Biology, and Astronomy and passed them all. I'm not really big on study guides.
Someone else can probably give you information on the Natural Sciences CLEP because I haven't taken it. It's ACE-recommended for 6 credits. I can't tell which exams are available to you because they aren't listed on the school's website. If you're good at reading, writing and comprehension, then the Analyzing and Interpreting Literature exam should be fairly easy for you with minimal study. Many people don't study at all.
Since your school is open to accepting ACE credits, you might want to ask them if they'll accept Straighterline courses.
Science help! - zmama32 - 01-26-2015
Unfortunately, this exam was not easy at all. There was more than 10% questions about Environmental Policy, and there were some questions that concerned things that I didn't come across in any study guides (I studied several different ones, including one a member on this site created). I am really frustrated with the exam, but it's time to move on.
I was thinking about taking Astronomy, but have decided against it. I am interested in Straighterline, I think I will ask my academic advisor. I think I could do some courses pretty quickly, especially if they are science.
Does anyone have any advice about Straigterline Science courses?
sanantone Wrote:Environment and Humanity was the easiest science exam you could have taken. The Astronomy DSST is physics-oriented, but I don't recall there being any calculations. If there are, they aren't a huge part of the test. I thought it was much more difficult than Environment and Humanity. Biology is not as difficult as physics and chemistry for those who don't like calculations, but it is a much more difficult exam than Environment and Humanity. Many schools award 6-8 credits for the Biology CLEP, but I don't know about yours. I used the Instantcert flaschcards for Environment and Humanity, Biology, and Astronomy and passed them all. I'm not really big on study guides.
Someone else can probably give you information on the Natural Sciences CLEP because I haven't taken it. It's ACE-recommended for 6 credits. I can't tell which exams are available to you because they aren't listed on the school's website. If you're good at reading, writing and comprehension, then the Analyzing and Interpreting Literature exam should be fairly easy for you with minimal study. Many people don't study at all.
Since your school is open to accepting ACE credits, you might want to ask them if they'll accept Straighterline courses.
Science help! - sanantone - 01-26-2015
I don't know about the accuracy of the study guides, and Prometric does periodically refresh exams, but the test is not really an environmental science test. It's more of an environmental studies test that combines environmental issues and social policy. The title should tell everyone that human policies are a part of the test.
I'm sure there are some members here who have experience with Straighterline's science courses. I would think that Intro to Biology, Intro to Environmental Science, and Intro to Nutrition (if your school counts that as a science) would be the easiest.
Science help! - KayV - 01-26-2015
Since you've already studied for the Environment exam, what about trying the Straighterline class Intro to Environmental Science?
Science help! - zmama32 - 01-26-2015
I knew that environmental studies and social policies were going to be included, but I honestly felt blindsided. Most of the study material discussed actual environmental science, NOT policy. I used the practice tests from Prometric and Free Clep Prep. I know those are supposed to just reflect the type of material covered, not the actual questions. The IC flashcards were hard for me to use, since it was my first time. I found it hard to study that way. I also used the study guide from the member on this forum, and two other study guides. I found that the study guides reflected something completely different from the exam.
Oh well. Can't change anything now. It was only my second DSST exam, so I'm not freaking out. I'm looking forward to finishing my degree!
Science help! - zmama32 - 01-26-2015
KayV Wrote:Since you've already studied for the Environment exam, what about trying the Straighterline class Intro to Environmental Science?
I'm thinking the same thing. Waiting for my advisor to get back to me to be sure the credits will transfer.
I'm wondering, how quickly do you all think it's possible to finish a Straighterline course? I'm in an online program, so that is not an issue. I'm pretty good at studying on my own.
Science help! - sanantone - 01-26-2015
zmama32 Wrote:I knew that environmental studies and social policies were going to be included, but I honestly felt blindsided. Most of the study material discussed actual environmental science, NOT policy. I used the practice tests from Prometric and Free Clep Prep. I know those are supposed to just reflect the type of material covered, not the actual questions. The IC flashcards were hard for me to use, since it was my first time. I found it hard to study that way. I also used the study guide from the member on this forum, and two other study guides. I found that the study guides reflected something completely different from the exam.
Oh well. Can't change anything now. It was only my second DSST exam, so I'm not freaking out. I'm looking forward to finishing my degree!
I don't know if you tried this, but many do not fill in the blanks on the flashcards. I just click through them. Memorizing the blanks is not important. All of the information on the flashcard is important. I read the flashcards just like I would read a book.
Science help! - Yanji - 01-26-2015
Since CUNY SPS is pretty liberal with test credit, (they accept ECE/UExcel) you could take the Nutrition/Weather and Climate ECEs for 6 credits. I had to study a good amount Meteorology to become an airline pilot and it's pretty much just memorizing a bunch of stuff about clouds, fronts, weather systems, etc. It's actually a lot easier to memorize than Biology because you live through the weather everyday and you can make practical connections in your memory.
Science help! - Westerner - 01-27-2015
Getting into the convo late, but the Natural Sciences CLEP is doable in a few weeksâless than a month definitely. It covers a little bit of everythingâbiology, chemistry, physics, astronomy, geologyâbut doesn't go too deep in any one area.