DSST Statistics HELP, please!

Hello everyone I am 1 class away from finishing my BSBA at TESC, and I need to take the dantes Statistics exam. I took Calculus in high school and college, but that was 15 years ago. I picked up the EZ Barrons guide and it looks like Greek to me. Any ideas or help would be greatly appreciated.

Has anyone taken the DSST Statistics exam?
Can anyone recommend study guides, video classes, etc?

Thanks in advance for all your help, support and ideas

 

I've been searching for a statistics for awhile. I've finally decided on these two, Statistics for Dummies and Statistics (Cliffs Quick Review). The Dummies book doesn't cover everything, but it does a very good job of explaining definitions and the 'whys'.

I never really understood WHY you want to calculate standard deviation until I read the dummies book.

It is a very easy read.

The cliffs book is more detailed, but still small and still a very easy read.
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http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0764554239/qid=1084544689/sr=1-1/ref=pd_ka_1/102-5907486-8891304?v=glance&s=books

Statistics for Dummies
by Deborah Rumsey (Author)

ISBN: 0764554239
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http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0764563882/qid=1084546639/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1__i1_xgl14/102-5907486-8891304?v=glance&s=books

Statistics (Cliffs Quick Review)

ISBN: 0764563882
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Thanks

Thanks James, I'll order those today

 

Check out your local library for video tapes on statistics that one can borrow.
Also you might want to look at "The Cartoon Guide to Statistics" by Larry Gonick.

 

I just took the Dantes Statistics test so I don't know how I did (I think I passed though). They let you use a non-programmable calculator. Make sure the one you bring does square roots! I used two different study resources. 1-VHS Tapes from "Standard Deviants" parts 1,2&3 which I'm currently selling on Ebay. 2-Statistics for Dummies. I studied hard and still there were 7-10 questions that I had no idea what they were talking about. If you study the two things I did you should be able to pass. About 15 questions are very common sense and can be figured out without any understanding of Statistics. They definately test you on all the basics. One of the best explainations of Standard Deviation is at: http://www.readingstats.com/third/email2a.html

Good Luck!

 

This is an easy to understand description:
http://www.robertniles.com/stats/stdev.shtml

 

I took the DSST Statistics exam in November, and scored a 75. The only prep item I used was the Princeton Review guide to the AP Statistics exam. I'll echo the notes others have left about your calculator - make sure it's non-programmable (they actually check for this), and make sure it does square roots!

It seemed to me that one of the hardest things about this exam was finding a place to take it - before, I had been taking CLEP's via East Carolina University's testing office (I work in Greenville), but it took me a while to find a testing center for DSST. Eventually, I was able to take my exam at the Cary campus of Strayer University. Good luck with your exam!

 

Thank you all!!!

Thank you all for your tips. I'll visit the library today. You guys/gals RULE!

 

Calculator?

I picked up the Standard Deviants videos, and the statisics for dummies, Cliff notes and a few others. They look good, but very very dry.

You all mention a non programmable calculator. Are you referring to a TI-83? Is the TI-83 approved? Or will a simple calculator that does square roots suffice?

 

The TI-83 would fall into the category of programmable calculators. A decent scientific calculator will get you by. Looking at TI's web site, I think the TI-36X Solar or any of the others in the "Scientific" category would be fine. The graphing calculators would probably not get by the test administrator.

 

Just out of curiosity is a non-programmable calculator with statistic functions allowed?

My favorite calculator is an HP-15 (I have three of them).

 

Ian,

To be honest, when I signed up for the test, I wasn't positive a calculator was allowed at all - I asked the testing center and they told me as long as it wasn't programmable, I was fine. I didn't get into the specific functions, just brought what I had - which has a statistics mode that I had no idea how to use.



I'd call the testing center where you plan to take the test and ask if you have any specific concerns about the exact model of calculator you have.

 

anothergreat resource

Mojoehand mentions a really good free web site, with 25 online video statistics lessons. This is a nice free site, anyone taking Dantes/ECE statistics might want to check it out.

www.learner.org


Has anyone actually taken the Dantes statistics exam?

 

Good Luck

Hi Ultimate,

Just want to wish you luck.

JB

 

Stats Website

This might help....

http://davidmlane.com/hyperstat/

 

THANKS to everybody!

Just wanted to say thanks to everybody who offered suggestions. They helped out a lot. I just finished the last class I needed to complete my BSBA at TESC. I'm 99.999% sure i passed. I won't find out for several weeks? Hello Grad School

The statistics exam was easier than I expected. There was much less number crunching, and more definition questions. Quite a few on STANDARD DEVIATION, MEAN, MODE, and PROBABILITY. The calculator helped a lot.

The Standard Deviants videos helped, Learner.org, Cliff Notes, Statistics for the Utterly confused, along with the www.quickMBA.com site that you recommended. You guys RULE!

 

DSST Statistics

Hi,

Im new here and just posted about this statistics exam that I have to take...and dreading it! I found this thread and thought I would just ask how difficult you thought it was? You mention that there were quite a few definition-type questions, which is great news to my ears. So, then if there are a fairly equal number of work-it-out math and knowledge-based questions, I might have a chance, lol!

I have the Statistics for Dummie and the Cliff notes...as well intend on visiting some of the links provided in this thread.

Has anyone used Instacert for their practice questions? They have a 1-month free trial, then it is 19.95/month. It seems like just a practice question bank really, but with detailed explanations for the questions. Wonder if it is worth it..or if I will be OK with the resources I have? As you can tell, I am stressing over this one!!

Any thoughts much appreciated. Thanks!

Kim

 

Some tips

Hi Kimber,
You can definitely pass this exam if you study. There is no time limit, so don't rush. Make sure you get a non programmable calculator. I'll be selling mine on ebay this week. It's a TI 36x. I used it a lot for the exam. Don't attempt to take the exam without one!!!

As for books, I liked the Cliff notes, and would recommend that you spend a lot of time in that book. As for Instancert, that is a hit or miss. It helped me on English Comp 2, Business law; but was worthless on Business Finance. I would say to go there and use it as a resource. Also go to your local library. I found a book called, Statistics for the Utterly Confused, a good one. I got it at the library too.

I would also recommend that you avoid the $5 dantes sponsored tests. They are completely worthless. I would also recommend the Standard Deviants videos. 1-2-3 if you can find them. look on eBay. They helped me understand the concepts really fast.

Some free sites that helped me are:

www.learner.org
www.quickmBA.com/stats/


Stay focused, study and you should be able to pass it. i haven't taken calculus for almost 20 years, so I know what you mean about being nervous about this exam. Take a look at the other recommendations, they have some great tips. Good luck
statistics for the utterly confused

 

Degreeforum.com

I forgot one more thing.

http://degreeforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=88

This is a great website, started by a student who posts on here all the time. This is another great website worth bookmarking. There are some great tips about all dantes/clep exams.

 

DSST Statistics

Hey Ultimale,

Thanks so much for your response, I really appreciate it!

I am finding the Dummies book helpful in explaining the concepts, but the Cliff Notes seem to be more problem-oriented, which I sometimes find hard to follow. I have to get one of those calculators, and will check EBay for your listing. I am worried about remembering the formulas though and knowing what exactly to enter into the calculator, lol.

I guess it is worth a shot to take the exam, all I can lose is the $50 fee right? I have been reading for the past 2 wks or so and was planning on scheduling the exam for the end of July, so that should be enough time that I feel somewhat comfortable with it.

Thanks again for the links and encouragement. Perhaps we will talk again over the calculator, lol!

Kim