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[jetmech68]

Howdy, very similar position to you, but I'm Active. I have three words for your math requirement: ALEKS ALEKS ALEKS

That is a fantastic system, IMO. In the past three months with ALEKS I've completed College Algebra, Trigonometry, and I'm almost through Intro to Stats now. I did this at the same time I took a course at TESC. Additionally, ALEKS Trig counts as my pre-cal credit at TESC so that plus stats completes my entire math requirement there. There are no timed tests, only assessments that you have an unlimited amount of time to complete. Once you assess at 70% complete with ALEKS that is good enough for TESC, just put it on your ACE transcript and move on. Once you have all the math you need/can get from ALEKS on your ACE transcript, pay ACE the $20-40 (can't recall specifically) to send it to TESC and you get the credits. Personally, I actually studied the material and learned it as I went, though I understand "some people" have found "other" ways to answer the questions. I think one person did all their math in a weekend like that.

Unfortunately this won't help you in the CCAF department, which is what you need for E-8. They won't take Straighterline either. CCAF will accept the math CLEPs and DSSTs though, or a college class. I highly recommend you consider the College Math CLEP, it is worth 6 credits and at TESC is equivalent to General Math 102 and 103 to give you an idea of the difficulty. Of course, "general math" at the college level involves functions, graphs, systems of equations, combinations/permutations (basic counting principles), very basic logic, very basic sets, very basic probability, and some statistics, but really it's pretty easy to learn what you need. I took this back in August and way over-studied (and over-stressed) and when I went to take the actual test it was a complete joke. The Peterson's College Math CLEP book combined with Khan Academy (to learn the sets, logic, and probability pieces) will definitely prepare you for this test. Personally I just skipped over the stats questions entirely, picked a random guess and moved on. There were only a couple I think on the whole test, but there were several on probability and combinations/permutations as well as sets and logic. The rest was mostly algebra and basic geometry.

Humanities you can knock out with the Analyzing & Interpreting Literature CLEP. I way over-studied for this one as well, but I'm glad I did, because when I took the test it too was a complete joke, at least to me and most others who take it. YMMV when it comes to "analyzing literature" but it's very very straightforward, no "gotcha" questions, at least on the (pencil and paper) test I took six months back.

The Speech DSST is pretty simple too. I bought two very used textbooks from Amazon and read through them, then took the test. First part is written (hence the textbooks). For the second part you are given a topic, given ten minutes to prepare an outline, and then you give a 3-5 minute speech into a tape recorder in an empty room. You don't even have to stand up. The topics are very general (very similar to the SAT/CLEP essay prompts, examples here and here). Personally I think the advice on writing a "fast-food essay" for SAT prep is very applicable to this type of speech as well. You aren't making a Nobel acceptance speech, you are being graded on your ability to adhere to basic mechanics and a basic outline (intro, body, conclusion, transitions, etc).

BTW if you are just looking to complete your CCAF first you can also opt to just take the classes needed through the AU-ABC program. You can find it on the AF Portal under the AFVEC.

I think you will find this way of knocking down your credit requirements will be very fulfilling. If I go back to early August (when I took the College Math CLEP), in the past four months I've gotten 18 credits, in the same time I would normally have gotten only 3 from taking "real" classes. This is a pretty amazing way to go.

Also, don't forget you can rack up two associate's degrees from TESC on your way to the bachelor's, so you could do the following:

1. CCAF degree
   
2. TESC AA or AS
   
3. TESC AAS in Environmental, Safety, and Security Services (just take a bunch of free FEMA courses online!)
   
4. TESC BS
   

Each one will only run you an extra $275 or so in grad costs I believe. I plan to pick up the AAS on my way to getting my BSBA. Also, since you work in the field, TESC has an ASAST in Aviation Maintenance Technology you can check out, but it may be functionally similar to your CCAF so you may want to go with a more general AA or AS degree. There are also AAS degrees in many different fields that you may be able to slot your credits into as well, can't hurt to check it out. The more the merrier!

Good luck!

dcan,

Wow so much information. Thank you so much. I will need to come up with a good plan and follow it. It sucks that I won't be able to use the ALEKS or Straighterline for my math credits. If I had TESC put it on a transcript would CCAF take it then? I'm sure that question has been asked already. I will look into the College Math Clep if not. I have plenty of time to study at night. Speech will be a breeze for me as I have a gift for gab as my wife tells me. Thanks for all the suggestions. I will get my plan together and get started. I would like to be done with my BS in one year or less. 18 credits in four months is amazing. That is why I am here now.

Jack