The Beginning of My Clep/DSST Odyssey

Study Guide for Tech Writing and other DSSTs:
INSPIRE Information
Click on "Testing and Education Reference Center" (left side)
Click on "DSST Prep"
Look for "Online Book" and click the link
Click on "Read Book" (site will want you to register/sign in with your Peterson login ID)
Download pdf.

Phillip

 

Looks like good info on there; I was actually wondering if I was going to do any prep for that particular DSST. This looks like a fair amount of info that I can tear through pretty quickly. Thanks!

I just scheduled CLEP Management for Friday morning. Still haven't done any prep, but I plan to do a little reading this week.

 

Emissary,

I noticed your CLEP/DSST testing is being done in pursuit of a UTEP degree. Could you fill us in a little more on the specific degree you're chasing and the course sequence you'll be using besides testing? Does UTEP have any limits on credit by examination?

Thanks,
Fortunato

 

Absolutely. I am pursuing a Bachelor's of Multidisciplinary Studies (BMS) with concentrations in Biology, Composite Science, and Humanities. I will post the particulars in another thread so that they will be more searchable and digestible.

I have found UTEP to be very flexible in some key areas. I have also found them to be inept in others. As I said, I'll start a new thread on UTEP shortly.

 

This just in.

Slight change in class schedule for spring '11, so I don't have to take CLEP Management now. DSST Tech Writing is the last test that I have to take to fulfill graduation requirements. Whoot! :headbang:

Here is what I have left now as far as testing:
DSST Technical Writing - INSPIRE Information
DSST Geology - Geology Textbook plus official prep.
CLEP Natural Science - REA
DSST Astronomy - Astronomy textbook + official prep.
TASP (Texas general skills assessment) - Demystified algebra text.
TExES 136 Composite Science Teacher Certification exam. - I'm hoping all of my other science prep will prep me for this test. Also official TExES prep material.
TExES Pedagogy & Professional Responsibilities 8-12 exam - Official TExES prep.

 

OK, so I haven't been able to devote much time to my studies over the holiday break. I still haven't taken Technical Writing because I'm waiting on the test administrator to come back off of break. I just took practice test 1 on REA's Natural Sciences CLEP. Scored an 80 raw. I hope to brush up on Chemistry a bit, as I am very rusty. Still ok on Biology and Physics. I hope to go ahead and schedule this one as soon as I can get a test administrator to come back to work.

Hope everyone had a great holiday!

 

Did you try thr free Petersons practice exams for Natural Science? They are probably more difficult then the real thing, but reviewing the correct answers will help prepare you.

 

Sounds like you are set to knock NS out of the park. Let us know how you do.

Phillip

 

Actually, I never thought about that. Thanks for the input!

Additionally, I have my spring semester classes scheduled, registered, and paid for. This will complete my Bachelor's. I walk in May. The finish line is in sight (at least for my undergrad). It's exhilarating!

 

Congratulations! What grad programs are you looking at?

 

Well, my immediate plans pertain to my immediate certification requirements. I am in the market for an alternative teacher certification program. Applications go out in a couple of months. It looks like I'll probably stick with UTEP for this, as they have a pretty respectable 100% DL option, and I'm already in their system. If UTEP doesn't work out, I'll probably just use the fall-back option (ITeachTexas); it's very generic, cliched, and overpriced, but it's also a breeze to get into and complete, and the desirability of my teaching field should overcome any negative impact that the institution would impart on my marketability. Either of these will take me through spring '12, and will give me my full teaching credential for Texas.

My plans past that will depend on how my first year ('11-'12) of teaching high school science goes. Right now, I'm thinking a MAT or MSEd, but I'm definitely keeping all options open.

 

Trying to stay on track

It's been a while since I've been able to update this thread. I am running sooooo behind! In addition to work, school, clep's, and family, I've also been taking care of my mother for a year or so. We lost her in January, so I've been dealing with the administrative side of that as well (not to mention the emotional toll). Anyways, I'm still perfectly on track to graduate in May, but have been running very behind on my post-grad preparations. Today, I scheduled my THEA for next Saturday. So, I have until then to bone up on Algebra, but I think I should be fine there. The next week, I need to knock out my Technical Writing. That one doesn't scare me. But then, in a span of a couple of weeks, I really need to knock out Natural Sciences, Geology, and Astronomy. Plus, that's about the time I'll be in finals for two of my compressed classes through UTEP. All of my testing outside of Tech Writing is for grad admissions, not for my Bachelor's. My Bachelor's is pretty much set in stone unless something really whacked happens in the next 3 months.

Busy, busy, busy. But, failure is not an option.

As an aside, I didn't think senioritis was possible at 30, but I've got it. I'm exhausted.:tired:

 

Oh, it's very possible. Muddle through, though, you're too close to give up now. My condolences on the loss of your mother.

 

Thank you.

The THEA is done; I took it Saturday. It was not that rigorous, it was just really looooonnnngggg. 5 hours down, and two weeks until I receive my results. Anyway, that's behind me. This week, if I can get it scheduled, I'll knock out Tech. Writing, and today I begin re-preparing for Natural Science.

 

THEA results got in last night. I killed it. It seems odd that I take satisfaction out of nailing a high school exit exam, but it feels like validation nonetheless. Plus, the high score will help in securing a teaching spot. Anyways, on to the others....

Another quick point. If anyone is needing to refresh on Algebra, the Demystified book is perfect. Thorough but succinct, easily readable, lots of practice, and the price is right. It was my only source for my refresher, and it enabled me to make a perfect score on the mathematics portion of this test. I highly recommend it.

 

I just scheduled my CLEP Natural Sciences exam for next Tuesday; hopefully, I'll be able to take Technical Writing on the same day; scheduling conflicts keep pushing that one back. At this point, I still haven't read much of the prep for the science exam. However, I skipped right to the practice tests, and seem to be scoring well enough that I won't have any worries. I'm in the middle of moving, and am searching for a teaching position, so time is critical.

On a side note: I have a unique talent for picking the absolute worst time to attempt life changes! When I decided to pursue teaching, it was because it was the safe bet, the guaranteed salary, the benefits, the work/life balance. Now, the teaching market SUCKS! Stupid economy. If anyone has pointers on securing a high school science teaching gig, I'm all ears.

 

Crossed the finish line last night

I'm done. I took my last final last night. Now we just sit back and wait on grades.

Haven't been great about keeping this thread up to date. I've been working 70 hour weeks for the last couple of months, so that, school, family, and an elderly father have kept me pretty much off of this forum.

I've decided to sit out the teaching field at least for a semester. The market is terrible, the contracts are not secure, and the wages are sub-prime. I went ahead and took another gig in the car biz :deal: that should be lucrative, so it looks like we'll be fine until I can find the right spot in education.

Thanks for all the guidance and support. Now I'm going to create a dedicated I'm done thread so that you can all pat me on the back. Frivolous, I know, but validation feels good.

 

Congratulations! :banana::banana::banana::banana:

 

Congratulations on your successful journey. I forget to check out this part of the forum for some reason and just discovered this thread. It reminds me of my journey finishing up my bachelor's degree via distance learning and CLEP tests and continuing on to obtaining an MBA this past December. I can definitely relate to some of the issues you dealt with so, again, congratulations on your accomplishment.:arms:

 

Congratulations and Welcome to the MBA Club!