The Beginning of My Clep/DSST Odyssey

Discussion in 'CLEP, DANTES, and Other Exams for Credit' started by emissary, Sep 8, 2010.

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  1. emissary

    emissary New Member

    Just punched the order button on my first study info for CLEP US History I and II. Should get them delivered by 9/15/10. I need to pass these tests within a month or so, and move on to DSST The Civil War and Reconstruction and DSST Intro to World Religions (assuming UTEP accepts both of these as upper levels - waiting for final word from my advisor).

    I'm working full time, taking 18 hours online, needing to pass 4 tests (clep/dsst) this semester, raising 2 kids, and am preparing for my Texes composite science certification test (136). Wow. I'm taking inspiration from all of the wonderful people on this forum, because I've seen many of you do it. Hopefully, I'll be teaching high school science beginning August of '11.

    I ordered the REA study guides for both US histories. I'll try to keep this thread updated with progress (though time does limit me). If anyone who happens upon this thread can throw me any advice on supplements for the other tests, I'm certainly open to advice.

    Thank you to everyone here who has (whether you know it or not) provided me with guidance, inspiration, first-hand information, laughs, and semifunctional smileys.

    Happy studying!
     
  2. Maniac Craniac

    Maniac Craniac Moderator Staff Member

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  3. emissary

    emissary New Member

    Wow. I never thought I would claim academic overload from relearning grade school and high school subjects. Consider me humbled. I am plowing through the REA guides on US History I and II CLEP exams. I have also decided to run through the NROC US History guides as they apparently are endorsed by CLEP, and so I think they should be thorough. NROC US History I

    I am also preparing to take DSST Human Resource Management, and DSST Organizational Behavior, but will probably not sit for these until next semester. Also, I have decided that in addition to taking the TEXES 136 composite science exam for teaching certification, I will sit for my grade 4-8 pedagogy and generalist exams, both to increase my overall marketability, and to make myself a more versatile (read: employable) teacher. So, I'm studying for all of that too.

    I can say that my university workload is larger and more intense as a distance learner than it was as an on-campus student.
     
  4. emissary

    emissary New Member

    OK, so it's late, and I'm tired. Though I know that I still am weak on a few areas in the histories, I am consistently scoring in the 80's (raw) on practice exams. Have stayed exclusively with the REA guides, everything else just seems redundant. I guess it's time to get these things scheduled. Will schedule tomorrow. Update on my testing schedule. Plan to take: CLEP US History 1, CLEP US History 2, DSST Technical Writing (no essay), DSST Human Resource Management, DSST Organizational Behavior, DSST Geology, and one more that I can't seem to remember right this second. Also boning up on Algebra using Demystified series (awesome presentation, and lots of practice, I highly recommend it) so I'll be strong in my THEA (Texas-specific general comprehension test). Also, still refreshing on all my sciences for my TExES content exam (to be taken next summer, but really need to kill it). Off to bed now. Wish me luck!
     
  5. emissary

    emissary New Member

    Took CLEP US History 1 this morning. Scored a 67. Pass! Studied REA exclusively, did not watch any other video, or use any other reference material. The entire time I was taking the test, I felt that I was completely unprepared because it put a much stronger emphasis on reform movements than I had expected. But, I passed, so I'm done worrying about it. On to US History 2.
     
  6. BlueMason

    BlueMason Audaces fortuna juvat

    Nice job - keep it up :)
     
  7. emissary

    emissary New Member

    :thanks: This thread has turned into an outlet for my narcissism so I don't have to spew it on everyone around me. It would be nice if someone who was in need of info was to stumble across this thread and find a piece of information relevant to their situation. That would be great. But, basically, as long as I can blatantly pat myself on the back, and have this community not judge me for it, I'm happy.
     
  8. Fortunato

    Fortunato Member

    I love the "my journey to a degree" threads, keep it up!
     
  9. Chip

    Chip Administrator

    Honestly, I don't see this sort of thread as narcissistic, but as an inspiration for people who are considering "taking the plunge." You tell about the anticipation, about studying, about actually taking... and passing! That's a powerful motivator for others. Please keep it up!!
     
  10. emissary

    emissary New Member

    Gotta tell you, having a cameo from Chip in my thread just feeds my ego even more. :notworthy:

    All kidding aside, I need to pass US History 2 within about 2-3 weeks to stay on schedule to be able to walk in May '11 and have all my pre-req's done for my post-grad plans. History has always been a challenge for me, because I resent it. It, to me, is strict memorization with no application. I've always been a math/science nut, and so my brain is wired to retain and apply. If I don't apply, I have difficulty retaining.

    I also have a massive research proposal for a research methodology course due in about 2 weeks, so I'll be juggling test prep with my other courses, and of course, my family and professional life.

    I will keep this thread going as I progress. Thanks to everyone for the positive feedback.
     
  11. Maniac Craniac

    Maniac Craniac Moderator Staff Member

    Chip is like the Vince McMahon of DL Forums. He even has his own entrance music. :D

    :iagree: This month, I will be taking yet another 2 or 3 CLEP. Two of them are the Western Civilization exams, so I am in a similar boat that you are, except that I'm going into it without even a high school knowledge of global history
    :eek2:
     
  12. SteveFoerster

    SteveFoerster Resident Gadfly Staff Member

    The last update to it was five years ago now, but I still remember Unixman's CLEP Oddysey -- you may like it. It's really long, though, an "oddysey" indeed!

    -=Steve=-
     
  13. Chip

    Chip Administrator

    Well, and, this thread is timely with the article I just (re)posted about Roger Habeck's 12 month BA -- all by exams -- at Charter Oak.

    I think it's the success stories, from the "I just took my first couple of exams" all the way through the "I just finished my Ph.D" that inspire people to realize they can do it too. It's not like late-night TV where 1 person out of a thousand will succeed... anybody with reasonable intelligence and ability to read and write can succeed, but many never get off their asses to start. So hat's off to you for moving forward! :)
     
  14. cookderosa

    cookderosa Resident Chef

    I second that- you keep on spewing :) 67 is no "pass" it's a Pass. Good job!
     
  15. emissary

    emissary New Member

    :haha:
    Good luck on those! I'm just the opposite (material-wise). I have taken Western Civ at a B&M, but UTEP wants US History instead. I haven't had any US History since high school, but so far, the US Hist exams don't seem to be incredibly rigorous. Worked a little on US Hist 2 last night, and it looks like I'll be able to go ahead and take it fairly quickly. Going to do a self-accelerated cram of the REA material and then judge my progress on the practice exams.

    Agreed. I was a severe victim of ADPHA, http://www.degreeinfo.com/distance-learning-discussions/35899-analysis-paralysis-degree-hunt-addiction.html, both because of my dire situation when first I stumbled upon this forum, and because I didn't know where my life was going. I chose a path. I started. With luck, and gumption, I will finish within the time frame I have set for myself, and the career track that I have on paper will become reality. And yes, I just said gumption. I have to give everyone on here a lot of credit for giving me so much information; I would not have made it through the initial stages of program research without this forum, and positive reinforcement, all corn aside, helps.

    Again, thanks everybody for the encouragement. Now, back to work. If anyone has any appropriate montage music, just keep it playing.
     
  16. emissary

    emissary New Member

    I have now read REA US Hist 2 twice. I took the 1st practice test last night, and I scored a 68/61. I'm going to go ahead and schedule the test for next week. Primary area of need is memorizing noteworthy legislation from 1865 to present and studying reform movements. Beyond that, I'm good. Will be able to brush up on those this weekend. After this test, it's on to CLEP Marketing, I believe.
     
  17. Fortunato

    Fortunato Member

    If you're looking for study material for this exam, I used Marketing (Barron's Business Review Series), and got a scaled score above 70 (76, if I remember correctly). The link I included in the title is to Amazon's "Other Sellers" page for the book, where you can pick up a new copy for $6.49 shipped. It's a quick read, with valuable exercises at the end of each chapter to help you retain the material.

    Good luck!
     
  18. emissary

    emissary New Member

    Thanks! Unfortunately, I am not a speed reader, so 600 pages does not qualify as a quick read for me. I've become really comfortable with the concise format of the REA books, and am awaiting delivery of the REA Marketing prep material.

    For the record, anytime anyone that comes upon this thread that has suggestions on prep material, or if you see me going astray, please :slap: get my attention and let me know.

    Cramming tonight on significant legislation 1865 to present. This is probably the last significant time period I can spend on this test prior to taking it (will probably spend 1-2 hours). I hope to sit for the test in 3-4 days.
     
  19. emissary

    emissary New Member

    Just called and scheduled my US Hist 2 CLEP. I'm going to take it in 2 days at lunch. Really, I haven't spent very much time on prepping for this. Hopefully I'm not just being overconfident. I hope to have time tonight to read the REA book one more time and then take the 2nd practice test. If I bomb it, I'll reschedule.
     
  20. emissary

    emissary New Member

    Just now took REA practice test #2. Scored 86 raw. I'm ready. Thus far, I have only spent 6-8 hours preparing for this test. I hope to spend another hour or so tonight just to brush up on incidentals, but I feel confident.

    This process is not for perfectionists. There are areas in the material where I am decidedly weak, and I know that I will not get every question right. However, I feel like I have a good enough understanding of social affairs, major political events, etc. that I can comfortably pass the test.

    I will post my results tomorrow after I'm done taking the test. Just got my REA Marketing book in the mail yesterday. I sure hope I can knock that one out in a couple of weeks. I need to move on to DSST testing, and I think I'll have to prep a little more for those.

    Wish me luck!
     

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