CLEP Score Calculation

After spending as much time preparing as I already have, I feel silly asking this, but wanted to confirm my understanding. On CLEP, you simply count the # of correct responses, and this gives your raw score, correct?

This is how the REA manual describes it, and I haven't found any contradicting info yet. It just seems counterintuitive that a passing score is one where I get 50 right, and 70 wrong.

Somebody check my logic here.

Thanks!

 

a raw score is the number of correct, however CLEP will never tell you your raw score. Instead, they use a top secret method of weighting THAT exam and magically spit out a "scaled score" which is what you see. Your "scaled score" isn't necessarily a known %. There have been years of discussion by people smarter than me trying to hone in on the exact score calculation, and it's all a big blur. CLEP has said that the passing score is roughly equivalent to the knowledge of a student who took the B&M course and scored a 70%. Take that how you want. I think most people will agree that on some exams, you can pass with (probably) less than 50% but on others a much higher % is needed. I'm sure none of this helps your nerves, however, if you are using REA and their table in the front- take all 3 exams- if you are scoring over 50 on your second and third tests you are probably set to go. NEVER retake the same practice test (inflated score) and you can always buy a set of 3 more through Peterson's if you really are unsure.

Oh, and when you get in there and notice there are a lot of questions you don't know, that doesn't mean you are unprepared to pass (don't freak out). There will be outlying questions that seem totally random. You need to PASS, which will be the result of knowing the main body of tested material.

 

Here's what I did. Read the prep material for a week (give or take). Took the first practice exam. Scored around a 60 (raw). Studied responses, re-read the book about 3 times. Last night I sat down and took the 2nd and 3rd tests. I have consciously avoided even peeking at them until last night. Scored an 81 on the first, and an 83 on the second (both raw). Looked at their conversion table, and it shows that I blew them away.

It just seems odd to me that I'm getting 75% of the responses correct, but that is well beyond passing. My university is going to award me pass/fail status only, so I'm not concerned with acing it. I just need to make sure that I am adequately prepared to pass it.

I understand the philosophy of not relying on the score of a previously reviewed practice exam as an indicator of preparedness. I am going to review and retake the practice exams several times prior to test day; doing so to better "immerse" myself in the material rather than falsely inflating my score. However, it appears that I am ready, unless somebody can scare me away. I sure don't need to waste a hundred bucks.

Any other input?

 

ok, so retake the tests, just don't think that your score is predictive.


(this should include Maniac's quote but I have not figured out this new format- sorry)

 

BTW, you are more than ready. You can go today.

 

:lmao: :haha: It's amazing how fast we go from semi-functional smiley's to full on animated madness.

@cookderosa - Thanks. That's kind of the validation I was needing. :redface:

 

LOL I'm good now Still trying to figure out how to animate my siggy with your masterpiece