Does IC really work?

[dwilson]

I feel that it works but you need to supplement it with other resources. Never rely on just one source.

[P00057870]

I took one CLEP before I found IC but spent months studying a textbook and an REA book over and over again, and then just trying to get up the courage to take the test. I finally did and passed but did not think I could do that on a subject I was not already fairly well versed in.

I had gone back to finish at least my A.S. due to something my supervisor said to me that made me mad and I just had to show her that I could get at least this. I will complete my A.S. by the end of this summer (2009).

It was taking so long to go through every course (as I work full time) that finally I went online and was checking things out and ran into IC and the forum. Being part of the forum has been invaluable. The intereaction here has not only motivated me to take the plunge and test on 2 more courses taking DSST and landing scores that would earn me an A if my current college gave more than a pass fail on these type of tests, but I am now planning on going on to use the tests to get my Bachelors. IC makes this very possible and affordable, as long as I can stay focused and invest the time. I have realized that I do not have to sit in a class for 18 weeks, pay the money they want, just to get the credits in most courses. I can study on my own in the privacy of my home with my dog at my feet, using the IC cards and, when I'm uncomfortable, research the forum to find out what others who have already been there have suggested as additional study materials, much of which has been online and available. By the way, the 2 DSST exams were passed using only IC and googling some of the material I wanted to know more about, watching online videos that others posted information about, etc.

IC works as long as you work it.

[ShotoJuku]

The IC-Flashcard system is an incredible and reliable source of exam prep; second-to-none IMO, but can be augmented by other sources too.


[SIZE="3"]Other Sources of CLEP & DSST Study Material: REA Books, Comex Books, Pass Your Class Guides, Standard Deviants DVD's, Petersons Practice Exams, [COLOR="Gold"]Dummies Books, Idiot's Guides [/COLOR]. [/SIZE]

[studyhard]

I loved IC when I was getting my degree. Being something of a paranoid-overkill person, I don't think there was any exam I used it exclusively for, but it was a fabulous supplement. There are tests I am pretty positive I would have flunked without it. And at the very least, it cut way down on study time. The classes I did not have IC available for took me longer, as I had to do a lot more reading and make my own flashcards to help me remember the info. IC is unquestionably worth the $20/month fee.

[malcs]

I am curious if IC works even if having no prior knowledge of that subject? From what I have read on the forums, it really works well I have ran into a few post of claiming IC did nothing for them.

It is pretty simple:
IC works if you want to work. IC does not work if you don't want to work at learning the subject material. It is not a free lunch, and is stronger on some exams than on others.

Between IC and the forums you will typically end up with 80% of what you need to pass a test. It is up to you to understand your weaknesses and reasearch those areas independently. This translates to between 4 and 16 hours of independent study besides the IC cards. Sometimes more, sometimes less.

It has helped me take and pass between 3 and 9 credits of exams per week, so I guess that it has worked for me. Without it, I would be searching all over the internet for more time than I spent on actual learning. Actually, I would not have even attempted it without IC or a similar program.

[Ruddigore]

It is pretty simple:
IC works if you want to work. IC does not work if you don't want to work at learning the subject material. It is not a free lunch, and is stronger on some exams than on others.

Exactly so!

My next test doesn't have an IC section, so I'm a bit nervous. IC gives confidence if you study it and another source well.

[Levi]

Exactly so!

My next test doesn't have an IC section, so I'm a bit nervous. IC gives confidence if you study it and another source well.

Ruddigore,

What is the next test you have to take?

[malcs]

One other point:

The difference between IC and attending a brick and mortar school is you. Either you want to have someone tell you what and when to study, or you will develop your own program for study.

Coming up with a self-study program that works takes time and effort. You may fail a few tests while you refine your study methods, or you may get straight A's. Each time you take a test you should analyze what went right, and what went wrong, and refine your process.

With my process, I find myself getting mostly B's, sometimes A's, and one C. The one that I got a C on was during a week where I took 3 exams, getting an A and a B on the other ones.

I do the following:
-Go through IC once
-Cut and paste from IC into a notepad file anything that I am not sure of.
-Research weak areas.
-Go to the textbook site and take any quizzes, memorize the glossary, look at the chapter summarys.
- Go through my (usually 25 page) notes the night and morning before.


And by the way. When you self study like this you will find that most textbooks and web articles are inconsistent. You often have to memorize different variations of descriptions in order to be covered. This seems to happen often in the Psych subjects. There are many shades of grey, and items can be pushed in one direction or the other by the textbook author. In a number of cases, you end up only being able to narrow down a question to two answers on the exam.

[Levi]

As Studyhard said, I do think IC is amazing, but so far, I have never used it exclusively. That doesn't mean that you can't use it exclusively; I've just never tried. I'm really glad I found this website and forum, though.

[Ruddigore]

Ruddigore,

What is the next test you have to take?

College Algebra.

But when there is no IC, there is still plenty of helpful information in the specific exam feedback section.