DANTES Rise & Fall USSR exam thoughts

[Bongsau]

Hi Bongsau,

I also used wikipedia to read deeper into certain areas for this exam. It was definitely worth it.

Did you read some of the other threads regarding this exam? There is quite a lot of feedback from many different members, and you might find some of the links and advice helpful.

Best of luck with your exam on Friday. We'd love to hear your own thoughts and feedback after the exam, if you feel up to it.

Do well,
Snazzlefrag

Thanks Snazzlefrag. I will let you know how it goes. I have scoured the forum for information and have found plenty of it. Instantcert and its accompanying forum is truly worth more than gold to anyone who is trying to finish a degree. I'll post back here on Friday.

[Bongsau]

Off I go to take the test. I'll let you know how it went in a few hours...

[Bongsau]

Boy, this was a tuffy. Everyone should certainly prepare before taking this one. Lots of obscure facts. I believe I passed. I counted the number of questions that I was almost certain I got correct and it was 51 out of 95. Assuming I got at least 10 of the other ones right, I could actually get an A on this one.

On my test:

There was nothing pre-Alexander III

Several Questions between 1850-1905, which I wasn't prepared enough for.

Lots of Lenin and Stalin-era questions (probably the majority).

The last 15 questions or so were about Gorbachev's era.

**One interesting note is that the test was completely in chronological order. That can be very helpful in a history test...

It took me about an hour and a half. I really think that Instant Cert alone is enough to pass this test, but probably not enough to secure you an "A" grade. Definitely look lots of stuff up on Wikepedia and the like.

Thanks to all of you who have given info in this forum. I'll let you know what my final score is when it arrives.

Matt

[ShotoJuku]

Boy, this was a tuffy. Everyone should certainly prepare before taking this one. Lots of obscure facts. I believe I passed. I counted the number of questions that I was almost certain I got correct and it was 51 out of 95. Assuming I got at least 10 of the other ones right, I could actually get an A on this one............

Matt

[SIZE="2"]Sounds like you did OK, and your feedback mirrors my own (see the very first post in this thread). Good Luck!![/SIZE]

[Bongsau]

[SIZE="2"]Sounds like you did OK, and your feedback mirrors my own (see the very first post in this thread). Good Luck!![/SIZE]

Just got my score: 65. That will be an A grade. I'm thrilled. Couldn't have done it without instantCert!

hilarious

[ShotoJuku]

Just got my score: 65. That will be an A grade. I'm thrilled. Couldn't have done it without instantCert!

hilarious

[SIZE="5"]CONGRATS and Well Done!![/SIZE]

[Straydog]

Now that the Army Guard has stopped sending me to training (over the past three months), I can finally take Rise & Fall. I have to brush up on the subject, but with the good feedback on this thread I feel very confident about taking this test, which is next Tuesday afternoon.

[Bongsau]

Now that the Army Guard has stopped sending me to training (over the past three months), I can finally take Rise & Fall. I have to brush up on the subject, but with the good feedback on this thread I feel very confident about taking this test, which is next Tuesday afternoon.

Good luck! You'll do fine!

[Straydog]

:eek:
I just finished taking Rise & Fall and it was tough! You'll want to make sure and study for this test and if you think you know the material, study again!
It was the paper version (I'm not sure way?) with 100 questions. When I was about a third of the way though the test I thought for sure I was going to fail miserable, but by the end I was feeling confident that I score at least a "B".

Here's what was on my test -
[SIZE="2"]Alexander III - only one question.

1850's - 1905 - multiple questions on various topics.

1905 - 1917 - many questions about the different revolutions.

Lenin & Stalin - at least half the test covered these two eras.

Khrushchev - 7 or 8 questions.

Gorbachev & Yelstin - another dozen or so questions - (know the how and when each came to power.)

Fall of USSR - several questions about the individual states.

Russian writers - 5 or 6 questions about authors, literature, and noble prize winners.

[/SIZE]

I start with IC to review each topic and then used a textbook to flesh out the details. If you want to pass this test I definitely recommend using IC along with another study guide or book. Also, there are web links posted earlier in this thread that have timelines of Russian history. The timelines provide some obscure details that were actually on the test.

I won't give away any answers, but I'll suggest some areas to study -

1905 - 1917 - Know in detail all the revolutions
Lenin & Stalin - You cannot learn enough about the two leaders.
Foreign Policy - Know each leader's position and attitude.
Gorbachev & Yelstin - Learn how each leader came and left power
The fall - Know why, when, how, who started it, and the results.
The Independent states - know when they left and the results.
Khrushchev & Russian writers - There about 15 questions total on these two subjects, which are easy to answer with little time spent studying. IC covers the writers very well. Not just early writers, but late writers and noble prize winners.

All in all, this test is tough, but passable. I put a lot of time in studying and then was delayed in taking in the test, which I'm sure will hurt my grade. This is not a "cram" test so you will need to spend time studying. The test was total recall so if you think you know the material - review, review, review.


[SIZE="2"]GOOD LUCK TO ANYONE WHO TAKES THIS TEST![/SIZE]

[Straydog]

Good luck! You'll do fine!

Bongsau - Thanks for the vote of confidence, I needed it! By the way, excellent score!