I would agree about getting the recommended book for ECEs, if only because you get a letter grade for them (at least from EC). If you know the book used to build the exam, that's like gold. What I wouldn't do is pay full retail for it
On the whole though, Lawrie's advice and encouragement are worthwhile and a lot of people get their start there. Once I took a couple exams, I had my personal priorities and study routine dialed in, and even though I count bain4weeks as one of my inspirations, what I do is not exactly what he recommends (I'm pretty sure Lawrie's a 'he').

__________________
Principles of Management 77
Intro to Sociology 74
Principles of Marketing 78
Information Systems and Computer Applications 75
Intro to Psychology 80
Intro Business Law 72
Principles of Macroeconomics 73
A & I Lit 75
Principles of Microeconomics 72
CLEP Financial Accounting 62
DSST Ethics in America 468
DSST MIS 482
CLEP Natural Science 72
DSST Org Behavior 80
DSST Finance 462
Now: EC Quantitative Methods CSU Operations Management

Just wondering where you find the titles of the books the exams are based on. I have the free exam content guides which have a reading list. Do you use those or is there another place on the website to find the specific books they use? Thanks.

__________________
B.S., Biology, Excelsior College
Complete- awaiting conferral

Yes it is the books listed in the exam content guides. If you want to double check you can always go to the Excelsior College bookstore online. Then click on the Exams link and then click the box for the specific exam you want. The next page will show you the "required" books (that's what you're looking for) and the "recommended" texts. I would not buy them on that site however because they are overpriced and you don't need the most current edition.

*I just wanted to add that I am active-duty military so the EC exams are free for me. So, in my case, it makes sense to shell out $20 or $30 for a used textbook or two to ensure a really good grade on those exams.

__________________
B.S. Liberal Studies - Excelsior College
Area Focus in Psychology and History

In Progress:
Officer Candidate School - Ft Benning, GA
AMU - Master's in Military History


Total Non-duplicate Sem Hrs: 161

Great, thanks. I never would have known they use those books to create the exams, and it makes them seem less intimidating. Good tip about the bookstore, too. I think it makes sense to get a good used text. The ECEs are already pricey (comparatively) so I'd rather spend a little extra $ to help ensure I pass them

__________________
B.S., Biology, Excelsior College
Complete- awaiting conferral

To clarify I used the books and IC for most of them. However, I relied much more on the textbooks.

__________________
B.S. Liberal Studies - Excelsior College
Area Focus in Psychology and History

In Progress:
Officer Candidate School - Ft Benning, GA
AMU - Master's in Military History


Total Non-duplicate Sem Hrs: 161