Passing Score? How many correct?

Discussion in 'CLEP, DANTES, and Other Exams for Credit' started by mattbrent, Jun 18, 2009.

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  1. mattbrent

    mattbrent Well-Known Member

    Hi All,

    I'm trying to map out a plan for one of my high school students. Our school offers dual enrollment courses in which students can earn college credit. For social sciences, we offer DE US History and DE US Government. I'll be teaching DE US Government next year and DE US History the year after thanks to the MAIS program from WNMU.

    My student will be taking DE US Government with me this coming year, but he missed DE US History last year. He did, however, score extremely well on the US History state assessment. He was about 1 question away from a perfect score. I was thinking about recommending to him to try the 2 US History CLEPs so that he could get those credits for US History after all. However, before I do, I'd like to ask for some background information.

    I know the tests are 120 questions each, and each passing each test with at least a score of 50 will result in 3 credits. That's basically what I know, so here are my questions.

    1) Of the 120 questions, is it known how many must be answered correctly to obtain a passing score? Is the 50 a percentage?

    2) Do you think it would be better for him to take the 2 US History CLEPs, or should I just recommend that he take the one Social Sciences CLEP, even though it has more than US History on it?

    Thanks! I know these are not questions which will result in a straight answer, but I'd be interested in hearing opinions from those people who have taken these tests or just have experience with these tests in general.

    On a side note, his mom and dad were in the marines, so I suppose that would give him access to those DOD practice tests, right?

    -Matt
     
  2. cookderosa

    cookderosa Resident Chef

    1) Of the 120 questions, is it known how many must be answered correctly to obtain a passing score? Is the 50 a percentage? The College Board does not release this information. At best, you'll find people who speculate, but you can't trust the 50% assumption. It's a scaled score - and it's scaled against a real pool of people who have an actual college course grade of "C." So, if that group's level of ability is X percentage, that's what the College Board uses. Also, not all questions are graded- and there is no penalty for missing a question. I would say that you should shoot for higher than 50%.

    2) Do you think it would be better for him to take the 2 US History CLEPs, or should I just recommend that he take the one Social Sciences CLEP, even though it has more than US History on it? US History no question. The social science CLEP is about half history- but that's a combo of US and World history. It also has govt, anthropology, archeology, psychology, macro and micro economics, sociology, educational psych, etc.
    Also, have you considered him sitting the AP US History exam? It covers US History 1 and 2, plus in the snooty colleges that don't award credit for CLEP will sometimes award credit or advanced standing for AP scores over 3 if history isn't his major... where CLEP doesn't get you that.


    Thanks! I know these are not questions which will result in a straight answer, but I'd be interested in hearing opinions from those people who have taken these tests or just have experience with these tests in general.

    If you really wanted to go above and beyond, find out from the college that does the dual enrollment what their CLEP and AP policy is. Next, go to your library and get a copy of 2000 or newer Official CLEP study guide. Have him take both practice tests (US 1 and 2) cold. If he is over 60%, I'd send his butt to the nearest testing center today and he can sit both exams. You'll just have to convince his parents to $$ without 100% promise of him getting credit when he attends college.


    On a side note, his mom and dad were in the marines, so I suppose that would give him access to those DOD practice tests, right?
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jun 18, 2009
  3. mattbrent

    mattbrent Well-Known Member

    Thanks, Jennifer.

    I don't know if I'd recommend his taking the AP test. He'd most likely have to wait several months for that. Since it's the summer, he could easily go to a test center and take the CLEP while the information is somewhat fresh in his mind.

    As for the Social Science CLEP, my idea was that he could take one test and get double the credits... but I suppose you are right. I don't know if he has enough knowledge of history and government and the other topics to do well enough.

    This is the student I mentioned a little while ago who was interested in attending VMI. His parents will practically be little to no help. I went to school with his older brother and sister, so I have a bit of an attachment to him. I'd gladly shell out the bucks for the CLEP test if I knew he'd have a chance of doing well, which I think he does. Rappahannock Community College, which provides credit for our dual enrollment courses, does accept CLEP tests. I do not believe VMI does. I couldn't find it in the catalog. VMI does, however, accept all credits from a Virginia community college. So I'm wondering if he takes the CLEP and sends it to RCC and is awarded credit, will VMI see that on transcript and accept the credit?

    Because he's going to have no financial support, I'd like to help him knock out as many credits as possible.

    -Matt
     
  4. cookderosa

    cookderosa Resident Chef

    >>

    Matt, you are on the right track. If VMI has a written articulation agreement with RCC then the entire associate degree comes in as a block. CLEPs, classes, etc will all come in one swoop. RCC will have a written policy- all the advisers have access to them, maybe not available online since they are really funny about sharing that info- but they will be able to hand you a copy so you can be sure. Each articulation will specify any exceptions to the block credit rules and prerequisites that are in addition to the associate degree. I'm basing that on my experience here with 2 CCs and the articulation handbooks- there are 14 articulations each, and in all 28 cases that is true. So....while it's worth finding out for sure, I'd guess that it will work for your student.

    Now- if he doesn't complete the associate degree according to the articulation, his credits will be loose and subject to individual evaluation, he would need the actual conferral. Help him dot his i's and cross his t's, I wouldn't trust a community college adviser (I used to do that job, and I didn't have a clue). One last thing, until the time he gets to the community college as an enrolled student, he can't lock into this articulation. There can be some changes to the policy- but you can't navigate every possible change, so just do the best you can.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jun 18, 2009
  5. mattbrent

    mattbrent Well-Known Member

    Thanks, Jennifer! When he starts taking dual enrollment courses next year, he'll be an RCC student. I suppose it would be at this point he could start sending CLEP transcripts to RCC for the credit.

    -Matt
     
  6. cookderosa

    cookderosa Resident Chef

    >>

    I know you have 2 threads going, but just so it isn't missed, be sure he registers as a student in the articulation agreement, otherwise it might not count later. I don't know what RCC calls it, here it's called "Associate of Arts Transfer Program" or "Associate of Science Transfer Program" not to be confused with generically enrolled as a non-degree seeking student or the generic AA/AS degrees.
     
  7. bmills072200

    bmills072200 New Member

     
  8. mattbrent

    mattbrent Well-Known Member

     

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