Can I take TESC Strategic Management TECEP before Principles of Finance DSST?

[passit1]

Since Strategic Management is a capstone, is Finance a prereq or more of a serving suggestion? And if I can take it first, should I?

Strategically (pun intended!) it makes sense for me to take it first. I have 8 weeks of study time budgeted for Finance and Strategic Management. Finance is my weaker subject. If I take SM first and feel ready to take the exam before 4 weeks, then I can allot more than 4 weeks to study for Finance.

I'd like to know what the experts on these forums think.

Thanks!

[OfficerA]

I believe for the TECEP it's only advised to take Principles of Finance first, as it sorta includes it but from my experience, not really (e.g. I only ran into one formula from PoF that was in the TECEP, and it was listed on the suggested text for Strategic Management on a table).

I didn't sweat this exam much, but out of all of the courses I've tested out of I strongly recommend getting the textbook for the TECEP, even if it's an older edition. The "essay" portions (which make up 45 out of the 100 points possible for the exam) all require you to list and explain ideas as they are in the textbook; while many of these are familiar enough if you've studied them from their respective courses, the exam is largely looking for how they are listed in the textbooks.

Speaking of lists, if anything is listed, get it down (or at least a vague sense of it); some of the essays ask you to list things, define them, then argue against them, but this is all consistent with the textbook.

That said, out of all of the business courses I didn't really feel Finance too much in the exam. Again, there was one specific question on a formula, but this formula can be found on a table from the textbook that lists all formulas worth knowing, so I didn't think too much on it.

This exam is very doable (more so than Principles of Finance IMO), and if they will let you take it first, so be it. That said, go through the entire book. I skimmed through it as I was pressed for time, and regretted that the last chapter that I didn't study for as I thought it was easy (i.e. corporate culture) ended up being the entire last essay I had to write about.

[passit1]

Thank you very much OfficerA. I appreciate the insight and will def be taking Strategic Management first. From doing a few TECEP w/essays so far, I understand completely what you are saying about those lists. Just finished Business in Society ... man oh man list city! But I was ready for it.

[bricabrac]

passit1,

With so many TECEPs completed I am assuming you are a TESC student? Why not just take financial management through Penn Foster? It is a no stress alternative. There are a few MC quizzes (open book) and then the final exam which is non-proctored. You simply download the exam booklet, compile the answers in a word doc and upload it to the course webpage. Wait 2-3 days for the test and final course grade to post. Transfer to ACE account, once processed send transcript to TESC and you are done. This course can be completed easily over a weeks time; days if motivated.

I enrolled in individual courses through Workforce Development 1-800-233-0259. This way you don't have ambitious reps trying to enroll you into the school vs a single course.

[passit1]

bricabrac -

Ummmm cause I'm such a noob I don't know exactly what Penn Foster is. but that's what I love about this forum, gurus like you. I enrolled in TESC on 11/12/14 and found out about DSST and CLEP weeks later. Set up a 6 month testing plan for 16 of the 21 courses I needed after transfers, got my approvals from academic advising and have been executing the plan since. Passing the tests hasn't been an issue so I haven't researched other options.

So I just take the Penn Foster course, open an ACE account and have ACE send the info to TESC? Seems easy enough. Thank you!!!!

[bricabrac]

bricabrac -

So I just take the Penn Foster course, open an ACE account and have ACE send the info to TESC? Seems easy enough. Thank you!!!!

Yep, that's how it's done...Easy peasy. Do a google search on penn foster financial management site degreeforum.net and it will queue all relevant links on the subject.

Good luck with your program!

[passit1]

bricabrac - thank you! I finished the PF Financial Management course yesterday. So much lower stress than betting the bank on one test. Any idea how long it take to get a final grade?

[mednat]

My grade was returned the same day for that class.

[passit1]

Just checked - I got an 80 on the final! Woot. Another one bites the dust. Another one bites the dust.......

[Al2010x]

Is this an upper or lower level at TESC? anyone know how it gets credited at COSC? still undecided where to apply.