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I have taken English Comp. and Analyzing English Lit. and have done well in both. I took the first free Peterson's Test for College Comp. and passed it. But, I am not so sure how well I will do on the essay. I feel pretty good about the rest of the test. Should I risk it and take the test? If I failed (I don't think I would fail the essay altogether..) though, would my good scores in the rest of the CLEP test be enough for me to pass the College Comp. w/ Essay exam?
Help! :leaving:
Thanks guys,
<>< Beth Ann
Passed: 
Analyzing and Interpreting English Lit.
English Lit.
US History 1
Up Next: :leaving:
Either Biology or Humanities
Goal:
BA in English
Thomas Edison State College
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When the composition w/essay exams are scored, the multiple-choice and essay portions are weighed approximately equally in the final score. So if you were to fail the essay completely, you would be very unlikely to pass the exam. I practiced for the essay section by using the practice exam in the
CLEP Official Study Guide, which contains a writing prompt. I used a timer to see if I could write decently under a time constraint.
I also decided that whatever prompt I was given on the real thing, I would disagree with in my essay. My strategy then was to think of three evidences to support my position. This gave me my three paragraphs for the body of my essay. I then simply restated these three points for the opening and closing paragraphs. If you go in with a strategy that you know works for you, you're much more likely to be able to think on your feet under that darned time constraint!
One last piece of advice (then I'll get off my soapbox
):
Don't try to edit as you write. Quickly type whatever comes to you first, THEN edit! If you try edit as write, you will interrupt your own flow of thoughts, and encounter a mental roadblock. Just let the thoughts flow onto the page! Good luck!
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Wow great advice Methibosheth! Thanks =)
~*~ Rachel~*~
To everything there is a season,
and a time to every purpose under heaven.
Ec. 3:1
CLEP:
College Mathematics(6)--score 60
Analyzing and Interpreting Literature(6)--score 66
English Composition(6)--score 50
US History I(3)--score 63
US History II(3)--score 67
American Government(3)--score 59
Social Sciences and History(6)--score 58
DSST:
Introduction to Computing(3)--score 440
Management Information Systems(3)UL--score 406
ALEKS:
Beginning Algebra(3)
Intermediate Algebra(3)
College Algebra(3)
Straighter Line:
Intro to sociology
World Religions
Business Ethics
Western Civ. 1
Cultural Anthropology
To God be the glory!
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Firedup4Jesus Wrote:Wow great advice Methibosheth! Thanks =)
No problem! One thing I did forget to mention: I did use the IC flashcards to study for the multiple-choice section.
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methibosheth Wrote:When the composition w/essay exams are scored, the multiple-choice and essay portions are weighed approximately equally in the final score. So if you were to fail the essay completely, you would be very unlikely to pass the exam. I practiced for the essay section by using the practice exam in the CLEP Official Study Guide, which contains a writing prompt. I used a timer to see if I could write decently under a time constraint.
I also decided that whatever prompt I was given on the real thing, I would disagree with in my essay. My strategy then was to think of three evidences to support my position. This gave me my three paragraphs for the body of my essay. I then simply restated these three points for the opening and closing paragraphs. If you go in with a strategy that you know works for you, you're much more likely to be able to think on your feet under that darned time constraint!
One last piece of advice (then I'll get off my soapbox ): Don't try to edit as you write. Quickly type whatever comes to you first, THEN edit! If you try edit as write, you will interrupt your own flow of thoughts, and encounter a mental roadblock. Just let the thoughts flow onto the page! Good luck!
Awesome advice, Thanks!
One thing though. I'm not too terribly worried about how to arrange my essay (ex. intro, 3-paragraph body, conclusion) I'm more worried that I won't know what to say! ha That when it gets down to the examples I'm going to space out...? :ack:
<>< Beth Ann
Passed:
Analyzing and Interpreting English Lit.
English Lit.
US History 1
Up Next: :leaving:
Either Biology or Humanities
Goal:
BA in English
Thomas Edison State College
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Lol, I wouldn't worry about that. Go with your first instinct upon reading the topic. Spend a minute or two just writing down every subject that comes to mind about the topic. Don't worry about how you're going to fit it all in or tie it together. The purpose is just to give you ammunition for later. Then you can pick the best two or three and go from there. Most of the time I end up with too much to say rather than too little and it's a race with the clock.
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Chebasaz Wrote:Lol, I wouldn't worry about that. Go with your first instinct upon reading the topic. Spend a minute or two just writing down every subject that comes to mind about the topic. Don't worry about how you're going to fit it all in or tie it together. The purpose is just to give you ammunition for later. Then you can pick the best two or three and go from there. Most of the time I end up with too much to say rather than too little and it's a race with the clock.
Thanks Justin!
<>< Beth Ann
Passed:
Analyzing and Interpreting English Lit.
English Lit.
US History 1
Up Next: :leaving:
Either Biology or Humanities
Goal:
BA in English
Thomas Edison State College
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03-04-2011, 11:35 AM
(This post was last modified: 03-04-2011, 11:43 AM by Arthiel.)
Use lots of examples. I was expecting a topic on something like abortion and was really worried that I wouldn't be able to come up with examples and statistics. But instead I had a quote about hard work and I just gave examples from stories and famous people. I was able to really go on and on and fill it up. If you do need more facts and stats just make something up. Statistics are really impressive, even if they aren't exactly accurate. Make sure you do A LOT of practice essays before the test so you're really good at working quickly. Good luck!
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Bethany,
I failed this test the first time I took it by 1 point!! I know it was the essay part that I flunked. I think I was only able to squeeze out 2 paragraphs. I totally had a mental break-down during the essay section. The second time I took it though, I really owned it! I was able to score almost a 70 and I think it was due to the confidence portrayed in the essay. I was truly prepared this time! I would suggest that you look up a couple of historical, famous figures that you can use for examples. I remember picking 3-5 people that I could list as examples to use in my essay section. This really helped me feel confident and have a steady flow of thoughts. Most of the essay questions will give you a scenario and ask your opinion on the topic by giving scenarios or personal/historical examples. I was able to use 3 famous people as examples to illustrate my stance on the topic given. I believed I used Abraham Lincoln, Susan B. Anthony, and the Pilgrims/founding of America. Come prepared with your list of a few people and this will help guide the overall essay! Good luck to you...Hope this helped some! -Kelsey
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Kelsey Wrote:Bethany,
I failed this test the first time I took it by 1 point!! I know it was the essay part that I flunked. I think I was only able to squeeze out 2 paragraphs. I totally had a mental break-down during the essay section. The second time I took it though, I really owned it! I was able to score almost a 70 and I think it was due to the confidence portrayed in the essay. I was truly prepared this time! I would suggest that you look up a couple of historical, famous figures that you can use for examples. I remember picking 3-5 people that I could list as examples to use in my essay section. This really helped me feel confident and have a steady flow of thoughts. Most of the essay questions will give you a scenario and ask your opinion on the topic by giving scenarios or personal/historical examples. I was able to use 3 famous people as examples to illustrate my stance on the topic given. I believed I used Abraham Lincoln, Susan B. Anthony, and the Pilgrims/founding of America. Come prepared with your list of a few people and this will help guide the overall essay! Good luck to you...Hope this helped some! -Kelsey
Thank you Kelsey, that was very helpful.
<>< Beth Ann
Passed:
Analyzing and Interpreting English Lit.
English Lit.
US History 1
Up Next: :leaving:
Either Biology or Humanities
Goal:
BA in English
Thomas Edison State College
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