Is CLEP right for me?

[phoenixuser]

I am a 30-year-old mother of two. It has been 12 years since I graduated high school and I just 3 weeks ago I started classes at the University of Phoenix. I just heard about the CLEP exams and have researched them extensively. I'm still left with a couple of questions. I don't consider myself smart by any means. 1)If I bought the CLEP study guide for a specific subject and some flash cards, would I be able to pass an exam I know nothing about? I mean I literally know nothing about anything. I"m not sure who won what war and where any countries are on the map and who was what President when, etc. However, I have good spelling and somewhat decent grammar going for me. Could someone please help me? I believe my desire to receive my degree could make anything possible. But, what if I'm just really dumb? I visited the Peterson's website that I read about in here. 2)Is the CLEP success.pdf that is 400 pages something I need to read before I take my first CLEP? 3) Do I purchase the test for $19.95 at Peterson's? 4) Where do I get the flashcards discussed in here?

Thanks so much!

[ShotoJuku]

[COLOR="Navy"]CLEP is right for everyone; just look at all of the success stories posted here.

BTW & FYI - I received your email and make it a practice not to respond to unsolicited mail so I'll reply here. You can and will attain your degree. As for UoP, if you feel it's a big mistake see what you can do to get out and cut your lo$$es now. [/COLOR]

[SIZE="4"]EC[/SIZE] [COLOR="navy"]is a great way to get your degree completed without having to $pend an arm and a leg.

Welcome to the forum and Good Luck!![/COLOR]

[phoenixuser]

Brian,
Thanks for your quick response. Do you mind answering my 3 questions? I know that you are very knowledgeable in this subject. I need some idea as to where to start and even if it is possible to me dumb and still pass! I like UoP so far and everyone there has been very helpful. I also know that SC has some very strict requirements for their Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education and when I called the SC Dept. of Education they actually recommended the UoP. I hate to change now unless you think it is really what I need to do?

Thanks

[barcotta]

...I'm still left with a couple of questions. I don't consider myself smart by any means. 1)If I bought the CLEP study guide for a specific subject and some flash cards, would I be able to pass an exam I know nothing about? ... But, what if I'm just really dumb? I visited the Peterson's website that I read about in here. 2)Is the CLEP success.pdf that is 400 pages something I need to read before I take my first CLEP? 3) Do I purchase the test for $19.95 at Peterson's? 4) Where do I get the flashcards discussed in here?

Thanks so much!

1) In my opinion, the best way to decide if this method is right for you is to sign up for InstantCert (that's the flashcards--more about that in number four), study for the CLEP Sociology exam for 2-4 weeks and go take it. The first thing you'll discover is that you DO know something about Sociology--even though you don't think you do. Right now you have all questions and few answers. That process will answer the lion's share of your questions--customized for you.

2) Not sure what that is, but you'll want to get the big, blue CLEP book put out by the College Board and use that for the practice exams. You can get one that's a year or two old--likely under $20 (even the current edition is around that price I think). If the pdf you found is a pdf of that book, then you already have it.

3)The Petersons tests are practice tests. You can pay $19.95, or you can check with your local libraries to see if they have an agreement with Petersons and can provide you with a code so you can take the practice exams free of charge. They are also free for the military. Otherwise, it's $19.95 per exam and I did find it helpful to practice--although on occasion Peterson's tests will hurt your confidence. The tests in the CLEP book are usually more like the actual exam--but there's only one per subject.

4)Click on the InstantCert Academy link at the bottom of this page.

You can sign up for InstantCert right now ($20 per month--all study materials instantly available) and begin studying today. Good luck.

[phoenixuser]

Thank you so much. I really appreciate it. I knew from all of the info that I have read that I may want to start with Sociology. I will start with that today. I hate to ask more questions, but I really want to be clear before I try this. My academic counselor gave me this web address: CLEP: Preparing
(I also see that blue book you mentioned on there) Those tests that they offer for $10 on there, you are saying don't try those and instead go with something like Peterson's, REA or in your case, InstantCert? Are all of these study guides comparable and in your opinion InstantCert is the best? Or, do I need to use more than one?

Thanks!

[phoenixuser]

Another quick question - Does IC only ask questions? Do they give you something to study first before just bombarding you with questions? I just signed up and I don't know any answers to ANYthing!! Also, what is the difference between DSST and CLEP?
Thanks

[Blitzstudie]

First make sure UOP accepts CLEPs,how many and what scores..most of the time it is a 50 but some schools want higher.

Go to the exam feedback section to learn about the test and what people recommend. http://www.degreeforum.net/specific-exam-feedback-only/

Most people buy the official CLEP book which covers the general exams and gives short preview of the subject,then use Instacert to learn the material and then take the tests in the book to see if you are ready. The tests closely mirror the real thiing as they are from the same company. For specific subjects read the exam thread,but normally it is Instacert, maybe a study guide and Petersons or the like to see if you are on track. Take heed Petersons are normally harder than the real thing.

If you want se what a CLEP is like for real you can take the A&I lit test,if UOP accepts it..6 humanities credits and no studying cause if you read the feedback,you really cant.

As for being smart enough I will say I have met many people that werent that bright who have a degree. The less innate ability you have the harder you need to work. That is what college, at least the liberal arts are for,teaching you to read,write,speak,critically think,schedule, it isnt about the material per se.

[barcotta]

Thank you so much. I really appreciate it. I knew from all of the info that I have read that I may want to start with Sociology. I will start with that today. I hate to ask more questions, but I really want to be clear before I try this. My academic counselor gave me this web address: CLEP: Preparing
(I also see that blue book you mentioned on there) Those tests that they offer for $10 on there, you are saying don't try those and instead go with something like Peterson's, REA or in your case, InstantCert? Are all of these study guides comparable and in your opinion InstantCert is the best? Or, do I need to use more than one?

Thanks!

Yep--that's the blue book. Based on the description on that web page, it appears to me that the practice tests, etc. they offer for $10 are the same as the tests in the big book. It appears to be offered as an option if you don't want or need the whole book. If anyone knows different, please chime in.

I stressed economy in my study plan. I didn't use any REA guides. InstantCert worked for me because--it just worked. So--I used that as my main study resource for everything and supplemented with wikipedia, cheap textbooks and Cliff Notes/Dummies Guide kind of things (always used and old), other googled internet sources and, most of all, the feedback on this forum.

[barcotta]

Another quick question - Does IC only ask questions? Do they give you something to study first before just bombarding you with questions? I just signed up and I don't know any answers to ANYthing!! Also, what is the difference between DSST and CLEP?
Thanks

CLEP is the College Board's examination program. DSST (also called DANTES in some circles) was derived from a military examination program I believe but is available to civilians--usually from the same sources that offer CLEPS. Both are multiple choice--with just a few exceptions--none of which I encountered. CLEP exams require you to choose from five possible answers; DSST from four. The CLEP user interface looks like a child's game from Windows 3.1 days. DSST exams look more like a modern computer program.

Yes--IC only asks questions. Everyone has a different method for using the flashcards and you can find them on the forum here and there. Basically--you're obviously not going to know the answer to much of anything (but I bet you knew the answer to the first question or at least could have made an educated guess given the subject...) the first time through so just read the question and the answer and move on to the next question. You might want to break them up into groups of 20 or so. Then go back and do it again. You'll discover that you've magically picked up a few and will already remember them. Maybe 2-3, maybe 4-5. Just keep doing that till you're getting most of them and move on. You don't need to remember the EXACT terminology used and spelling, etc. because your test will be multiple choice.

Repeat that process for the next set of 20 questions and so on until you're done. Then take a practice test and see how you do. Fill in some of the areas you need more practice in with other materials and when you think you're ready, go take the exam. If you click on the Sociology link in my signature below you can read my feedback on that test (combined with MIS).

Now--I imagine your next question will be something like, "But--how will I KNOW I'm ready?" Here's the thing:

I firmly believe that you only have to be certain of the answer to half of the questions on the actual exam to pass. If you're certain of half--you'll be able to narrow down most of the rest to the best two answers--and you'll just guess on a handful. If you only get half of the REST of the questions correct, you'll pass. The odds are in your favor. Remember, CLEP tests are normed to the AVERAGE student who obtained a "C" after taking the actual class. You only have to prove that you have picked up as much as an average C student--not a high C student or the best C student--an AVERAGE C student. I bet you can do that. Good luck.

[phoenixuser]

The more I read, I swear the more confused I get! So, Peterson's just lets you take practice tests? REA offers reading materials with practice tests included in the book and Pass This Class does the same? I understand IC now. I could use it as a supplement to my reading material. What is the code for @ Peterson's? Do I understand this correctly? And, the practice CLEP tests everyone is talking about... are those in the books or on some different website?

Thanks so much!