Why aren't I learning anything with InstantCert?

[cookderosa]

I've been using InstantCert to study for Intro to Psych for several days now, and I don't feel like I've learned a single thing. All I'm learning is to memorize the particular questions they're asking, but nothing is coming together for me in terms of actual understanding or meaningful retention.

Does anyone else struggle with this? From what I've read (both on the board and elsewhere on the internet), a lot of people use InstantCert ONLY to study for their exams, and they seem to have success with this. I suppose it's just not the way I learn, so I'll need to find other resources. Of course my goal is to pass the exams, but I'd prefer to do that by actually retaining and incorporating information, not rote memorization.

I'd love to hear some thoughts on this, or get some alternative study resources. Any input would help...I'm so frustrated!

I think you have to look at things in the right light. If you were taking a class, you'd be spending 16 weeks immersed in a subject. You'd read, write, do homework, watch videos, interact with teachers and students, etc. The experience would be more than what would appear on a CLEP exam. What you're doing with IC is test prep. You're studying for an exam. In my opinion, there is a place for both. I took the time to enroll in courses that were important to me, for my major/future, and didn't worry about the time/cost issue. In other subjects, like history, I'd already studied history in K-12, so I was completely happy studying to the test; the info wasn't 100% new, so what I had to do was memorize.

Again, both serve a purpose, and if you're a teen, I'd suggest you use CLEP prep at the end of a full high school class to get you that little oomph needed to pass. If you're an adult with significant interest or grad school plans in a subject, you may benefit from choosing some courses instead of just testing. If you're an adult trying to check the box, then check the box. Cram-jam-thank you ma'am.