Test Prep - instacert.com versus istudysmart.com?

Many learner here on the board use major college tests like CLEP and Dantes to complete their degrees.

In response to this need, commercial prep services have arison. But while there is one thread on www.instacert.com,
http://forums.degreeinfo.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=20531&highlight=Instacert
there is none on www.istudysmart.com (at least that I've been able to locate).

Therfore I thought it would be interesting to solicit comparisons and head-to-head opinions about both!

-Orson

 

www.istudysmart.com is just too expensive. Twice as much as exam itself. $7-9 Barron's EZ series,Cliff notes,free library encyclopedia and books+CLEP official guide,Cracking CLEP worked for me.

Dan

 

No doubt many would agree with you, Dan - and leave it at that.

But what are the advantages? Learnning on ones own is difficult enough. And if one finds a particular subject especially difficult, and if www.istudysmart.com can help, I'd like to hear the story!

Cheap isn't cheap in the long run if one keeps failing.

-Orso

 

Actually I don't think learning on your own is difficult. In my case I usually followed Laurie Millers study advice or official test content outline and had no problem passing most exams. Paying an extra $200 plus books puts testing up there with actually taking a course.There are also plenty of free internet study sources.If you really struggle with a subject it might make sense but otherwise I think it's a waste of money.

Many CLEP exam prep books are also a waste of money.IMHO the only guides offering a realistic test sampling were official CLEP/DANTES books and Cracking the CLEP.

Dan

 

I tend to agree with the PP's...

But I think istudysmart is probably a good deal for someone who needs structure, doesn't have time to take a community college class in the subject and wants to pass the test. Also, istudysmart HAS reduced their prices "a little".
I'm far too independent and cost conscious for that approach to work with me, but for others it might have merit.

 

Laura,

How is this any more structured than reading a study guide and taking practice exams? It says study at your own pace so what's the difference? I don't see the point of paying that kind of extra money for something so easily done for yourself unless you're really having a problem with a particular subject.


Dan

 

It is more structured. They have modules... regular keep it simple stupid guidelines... Start HERE then do THIS then move on to THAT... (boy was that a run on fragment or what?!) Anyway it is definately more structured, even though it's at your own pace. I'm with you, well unless I had to learn calculus. Then I'd probably pay the big bucks.

 

Thanks for response. Well maybe that would be a help to some.

 

So Laura, you think, istudysmart retains the flexibility (in terms of time) of self-study, but adds structure. Do you know how they structure reinforcement?

-Orson

 

Well, after looking at the prices...if you sign up for the 12 study guides in one year option the price definitely becomes more affordable..$45-46 per guide. But you have to do them all in a year.

Might be a good option if you plan to take that many tests, 1 a month is easily obtainable.

 

scmasse

But I think you should take a few to see how they go and then make a decision. I still say it is too much money to lay out for exams where there are plenty of free/low cost study options.

 

Oh, I definitely agree. I use instantcert and have been pretty happy with it so far. I find it frustrating at times, but I do seem to retain it much better that multiple choice.

 

www.instacert.com definitely is cheaper but appears to offer only tests and no study material. If so I wouldn't want to prepare that way. Some CLEP prep books were that way and questions were often tougher than real exam.Btw one fault of official CLEP guide is no explanation of answers.

Dan

 

I've used Instantcert but, I do not study by simply answering questions alone. It seems with each exam I take the more resourceful I must become. By searching with Google carefully I've been able to find a lot of FREE resources such as complete online tutorials of topics. Also, I have started using the AP exam guides in lieu of the "missing" Dantes subject guides.

-John