ECE UL exams vs. DSST UL exams

[beckysharp]

I'm really curious to know how the Excelsior UL exams differ in content and difficulty from the DSST UL exams?

[ShotoJuku]

I always felt the ECE are a little harder, yet more straight forward in the phrasing of questions. Not enough difference in diffulty level to make me choose DSST for that reason alone.

Are ECE timed?

[Urbannaja]

A couple other differences: ECE costs alot more (185 standard, with some going to 295). I believe ECE has more questions as well...I can't remember how many DSST have, but all the ECE tests I've taken have had 160 questions.

[kaoj]

There really isn't much of a difference in the level of difficulty between UL DSST's and ECE's. The ECE's have more questions so it feels more daunting but the questions aren't too difficult. If you study from the recommended textbook you'll have access to all the information you need to pass the tests.

[ShotoJuku]

There really isn't much of a difference in the level of difficulty between UL DSST's and ECE's. The ECE's have more questions so it feels more daunting but the questions aren't too difficult. If you study from the recommended textbook you'll have access to all the information you need to pass the tests.

[SIZE="4"]Ok, but are they graded the same way as clep and dantes exams (answer half or better correctly and you pass)??[/SIZE]

[siersema]

Excelsior doesn't exactly tell you what you need to pass. It's my opinion based on scores on various tests that I've passed, that the passing score is much higher than 50%. The last test I took, Abnormal Psychology, had a page with the 3 main areas and my % on each. There was also a note saying that if I didn't pass that I should study any area that I got less than 75% on. The Gerontolgy test also has subject areas and %'s but no tip to study any area with a score less than a specific %.

[kaoj]

[SIZE="4"]Ok, but are they graded the same way as clep and dantes exams (answer half or better correctly and you pass)??[/SIZE]

I also think the passing score is much higher than 50%. I've taken 8 ECE's and the lowest grade I've gotten was a 'C' for Human Resource Management. Looking at my score sheet I answered about 70% of the questions correctly.

Are you sure the passing score for CLEP/DSST is 50% correct? Where did you hear that from?

[siersema]

It's not exactly 50%... CLEP and DSST also don't specify an exact %. However, nearly every practice guide for CLEP says if you get more than half the questions correct you will pass. It also stems from the actual score that CLEP/DSST give. Passing for CLEP is 50 out of a range fom 20-80, which is the half-way point.

[ShotoJuku]

Are you sure the passing score for CLEP/DSST is 50% correct? Where did you hear that from?

[SIZE="3"][COLOR="Navy"]This is a rule of thumb type of principle. The "rule" of if you can answer half (50%) of the questions correctly you will pass is a general axiom.

Search some of the previous threads and you too will read much more about it. GOOD LUCK!![/COLOR][/SIZE]

[beckysharp]

Thanks everyone! I really appreciate you sharing your experiences with me. That's what makes this board so GREAT! To me, it's worth $20.00 a month just for the expertise that all of you bring to the table. We're partners with a common goal-that degree that has eluded us up to this point, but we're closin' in on the goal...