Instacert website

Discussion in 'CLEP, DANTES, and Other Exams for Credit' started by JayinAustin, Feb 3, 2005.

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  1. JayinAustin

    JayinAustin New Member

    I have been using Instacert as my only source for preping for CLEP exams.

    I passed the first one (American Government) with a 62. minimum score is 50.

    I'm glad I passed, but feel I should have done much better. I'm usually a "B", or 80% in most test. I knew just about every answer on the Instacert practice test. I'll be taking U.S history I and II next.

    My question. Does anyone else use Instacert as their only study material and are you happy with the results?

    Sorry for the long thread, but I don't want to waste my time if this is not the best source I could be using. Thanks. Jay
     
  2. I use instacert.

    I have passed the following exams using only instacert:

    Principles of Marketing
    Principles of Management
    Principles of Macroeconomics
    Computer Information Systems
    Intro to Sociology

    Humanities (I also used the Comex book, and the Cracking the CLEP Book)

    I know the tests above aren't really all that difficult, but I have found Instacert to be a big help.
     
  3. JayinAustin

    JayinAustin New Member

    Thanks, I was a little concerned because I thought I wasn't doing enough. I have read other post regarding Instacert and have come to believe it's fine for certain subjects.

    I'm taking the U.S History I CLEP tomorrow (2-4-05) and if I don't bomb it I will post my results here.
     
  4. Ultimale

    Ultimale New Member

    I used Instacert too

    I had great success with Instacert on many exams, but not all. I would definitely recommend it overall.

    It was horrible for Business Finance!!!!

    It was great for Prin of Supervision, Management, Business law, marketing, eng comp.

    For $20 a month its a good deal. If you take 2-3-4-5 cleps in a month it's a great deal.
     
  5. ybfjax

    ybfjax New Member

    Re: I used Instacert too

    I passed over 30 CLEPS, DSSTS and ECE exams using instantcert. Overall a very sweet deal for $20. Even though each study guide is supposed to be self-contained, sometimes it helps to study more than one related guide (i.e. criminal justice and intro to law enforcement, even if you're only taking one of the exams). In the case of Priniples of Finance (which I'll admit was one of the few that wasn't the best), I would suggest studying the principles of accounting first.

    Remember, all you need to do is RECOGNIZE the correct answer, or eliminate the incorrect answer choices. It's not the questions that are important, but the underlying concepts. A lot of people miss this. If you study until you can grasp the underlying concepts of what you need to know, you shouldn't have a problem passing the exam.

    Even if you only took 1 clep a month or every other month, $20 is still very good for all of what you get.

    The best way to study is to simply review the recommended text for each of the exams. I have a list @ http://www.123collegedegree.com/booklist.html that should help. But I think you'll agree for most of the exams, instantcert is the cheaper alternative. The only other book (for the CLEP) that I recommend is the official CLEP study guide, 16th. The sample questions and content review mirrors what will be on the actual exams.
     
  6. JayinAustin

    JayinAustin New Member

    Well I said I would post my CLEP U.S. history I score if I didn't bomb it. I came close , but I managed to squeak by with a 58 (ACE 50)

    I must say I was disappointed by the score, but of course I'm happy I passed.

    Instacert was helpful, but just barely. The problem was that Instacert covers most of the major topic, but does not go into deatail.

    ie White women worked in Lowell, Mass. factories, but that's about it. The test wanted to know why they went on strike? I had NO IDEA.

    I found a lot of questions like this and wasn't sure that I had even passed when I was finished.

    This particular subject is one that Instacert could definitely improve upon with much more "detailed" information.

    The good news is I'm 2/2 in CLEP (U.S Government was my first ,with a 62) I going to still use Instacert for my next CLEP U.S history II, but I will definitely use other study material to supplyment Instacert. I hope someone finds this information usuful! :smile:
     
  7. JayinAustin

    JayinAustin New Member

    O.K I said I would post my U.S History II CLEP results if I passed it. I'm glad to say that I scored a 64 (ACE 50) so thats a pass. I took this test on 02-15-05.

    I have now passed: American Goverment (using Instacert only)

    U.S History I (using Instacert only,but feeling like I failed it, I ended up with a scorew of 58 (ACE 50)

    U.S History II (Using the material mentioned below.)



    I not only used Instacert, but also the CLEP official study guide AND the REA Review CLEP for general exams.

    I would say use at least two of the three I mentioned and you should pass.

    The odd thing about the test (to me any way) was that the dates were not that important. Don't get me wrong there are date questions, but it would serve anyone taking the exam to try and recall specifics of events.

    For example:what did Lincoln hope to accomplish when he issued the Emancipation Proclamation? Hint, it wasn't to "just" free the slaves. He had another motive. It's this kind of information you want to look for. I hope this helps. I have to get back to my real job, so my CLEP test taking may slow down for a while, but I hope to be back with more good news soon. I hope this helps someone.
     
  8. Great Thread!

    Are there any testing programs out there to help people prepare for the various GRE Subject Examinations? By the way, thanks for the information on the InstaCert website. My wife is interested in enrolling in a community college and I thought this may be of benefit for her in by passing some lower level classes.

    Sincerely,
     
  9. Mr. D

    Mr. D New Member

    Re: Re: I used Instacert too

    I tried Instacert for Humanities but foune the practice test to be type in the answer type, NOT pick A,B,C,D,E type??? Did I miss something here?
     
  10. ybfjax

    ybfjax New Member

    congratulations.....

    The dates would more readily come into play on the UPPER level history-related exams (civil war, Rise fall of soviet union, etc). In fact, it's not so much the dates, but remembering the order in which the events occured.

    But like I mentioned earlier, the exams are testing acheivement of the topics covered.

    As for the GRE exams, I remember talking to the webmaster of instantcert a while back for a study guide development of a GRE. He said that would be something to consider WAY in the future.

    It would be great if there were an instantcert-style GRE study guide. The question bank would probably be between 2000-3000 questions for each subject.
     
  11. ybfjax

    ybfjax New Member

    Re: Re: Re: I used Instacert too

    That part doesn't really matter. Just click the next button for the answer to display and study the explainations. This test is tough, and I did NOT use instantcert to study for this one (should have, though).

    In fact, I went in almost completely cold and got a 47 on it. (not bad). I did answer every question. LOTS of picture, author and writing/art style recognition on this test.

    I didn't really study for this one because I was just taking it for "filler" credit. I already had just about all the core classes that I needed to graduate.
     
  12. FusionEd

    FusionEd New Member

    After reading this thread, I went to the instacert website and signed up--following ybfjax's advise, I just hit 'continue' for nearly all the questions--read the explanations, then reviewed the sames questions a second time and was able to answer all questions.

    It almost feels as though I'm cheating--it's easy. I felt as though within an hour I just skipped a lot of filler and burned a lot of good information in my brain

    I think I'm understanding the idea of knowing the "underlying concept"

    :D
     
  13. ybfjax

    ybfjax New Member

    your getting it.....

    Now not all subjects will be that much of a breeze. Much of the speed at which you can absorb the instantcert material will depend on

    - how much prior knowledge you have in that subject area, or
    - your ability to learn that particular subject area.

    See for yourself when you go into the test room ;)

    But remember, what is easy for one may be harder for someone else. So study until you feel comfortable with the concepts presented.
     
  14. JayinAustin

    JayinAustin New Member

    Be careful. I to could answer just about every question on the American Goverment Instacert flashcards and on the U.S History I.

    Then I took the test and got a surprise. I pretty much new I had passed the American Government exam, but when I took the U.S History I, I really thought I had failed it. (I didn't)

    but I also rememebered NOTHING from my high school days and that also hurt me. And I only used Instacert for ALL of my studies so I should give them more credit then I have in the last few post. (That's the great thing about hindsight! )

    Any way, remember to try and remember as many details as possible and study even more than you think is required to cover yourself.

    Post your scores if you don't mind. I'd love to compare and see what you think of Instcert After you take one of the exams. Good luck!
     
  15. FusionEd

    FusionEd New Member

    Agreed.

    It may be wise to implement instacert as an addition to ones study material.

    I've also purchased Intro. to Government (HarperCollins) and a guide from ebay (Sheryl Spencer) but have not yet read any of this material.

    Given that I have failed BOTH Humanities and Natural Science (bummer). Funny, some people noted that they felt like they failed and actually passed, I felt like that too--except I did fail.

    My goal is just being prepared and as stated "feeling comfortable" about taking the test.

    I'll keep you posted.
     
  16. FusionEd

    FusionEd New Member

    Sad news......I failed the American CLEP.

    I thought I was prepared using instacert. Also had purchased a guide from e-bay.

    I honestly thought I was prepared--I even felt comfortable while taking the test.

    Unfortunately, this is the lowest score of 5 cleps so far.

    I took the Analyzing & Interpreting Literature yesterday and passed...but today, I got my teethed kicked in.

    Picture me scratching my head....
     
  17. FusionEd

    FusionEd New Member

    Sad news......I failed the American CLEP.

    I thought I was prepared using instacert. Also had purchased a guide from e-bay.

    I honestly thought I was prepared--I even felt comfortable while taking the test.

    Unfortunately, this is the lowest score of 5 cleps so far.

    I took the Analyzing & Interpreting Literature yesterday and passed...but today, I got my teethed kicked in.

    Picture me scratching my head....
     
  18. BookGirl

    BookGirl New Member

    Actually, a 58 is only one point shy of being an A on this exam with Excelsior, so you really did pretty well.

    Plus, I think the History and Govt exams are harder than the Sociology and Psych type exams where common sense can really help you out.

    -Nancy
     
  19. JayinAustin

    JayinAustin New Member

    WOW! I had nio idea I did so well! Thanks, you made me feel much better aabout my score. (I really don't understand the scoring system)

    I just aim for the ACE score and hope for the best!
     
  20. JayinAustin

    JayinAustin New Member

    Thanks for posting your results. This helps more people than you realize. Also, I have heard from a lot of people who have failed the Literature test that you passed, so don't knock yourself too hard.
    Jay
     

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