CLEP Forum - CLEP Study - CLEP Testing

lrgaul · #9 (**permalink**) 03-11-2008, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Freddie

Hello all,

I have a question about getting a degree mostly through CLEP/Dantes tests.

Is it difficult to find the readings to study for the tests?

Programs such as College Plus have students taking a CLEP test every 4 weeks. Do you really feel that you know the subject matter?

If you aren't very good at being a self starter, would you recommend instead, just taking the class through a community college where the book list and readings are scheduled out for you?

Do you miss the learning through discussion?

It seems like I would get the basics of a topic, but I might miss out on topics that aren't covered by tests. That there might not be room for exploration. Is that the case?

What sorts of jobs have people gone on to after securing a degree this way?

Is it lonesome? Do you go stir-crazy?

If you've done College Plus, what are the 5 things you wish you'd known before you'd started?

If you've done College Plus, what are the 5 things you would have done differently?

What recommendations do you have to research this? I'm new and need to understand more.

Hi Freddie! I was very interested in your post and I figured that I would drop you a line and attempt to answer your questions.

First, I think it is noteworthy to mention that not everyone is taking mostly CLEP/DANTES exams to earn their degree. In fact, I have found them to be very practical for a strong number of situations. In my case, I attend the University of Maryland University College FT. I also supplement this experience with "on campus" mathematics classes at my local community college because math is not my strong suit

and the credits at my local community college are MUCH cheaper than the ones through my university.

The beauty of CLEP/DANTES for me has been that I can transfer up to 60 credits earned through examinations AND still earn a traditional degree. This will allow me to complete my entire degree in just under 2-years! More importantly, I was able to move straight into my upper-level courses since I expressed my interest in "CLEPPING" out of my generals. Not a bad solution at all!

You have to decide what the best solution is for you. I definitely believe that you need to be a motivated self-starter if you are going to follow the path that I have chosen to earn my degree. However, I will not hesitate to add that I believe you will need that skill to be successful in any pursuit. CLEP and DANTES will challenge you in any case and you will have to study for sure. I can tell you that I am a 4.0GPA right now and the information that I have learned through studying for CLEP or DANTES exams has definitely offered me a great foundation to be successful in my upper-level courses so far!

As for your questions about the "social" aspect of credit by examination options, this seems like an unusual concern if it is coming from an adult learner. I can certainly understand this concern in the case of a traditional student; however, adult learners typically have more social integration through work, marriage, parenting, and other obligations than they can handle as it is. For heaven's sake, I would LOVE to be lonely for at least one entire day!