Failed Test Experiences?

[kris10elayne]

Of all the CLEP tests I've taken so far (6), The American Government CLEP I took today was my first failed test (I failed with a 49). I felt completely confident to take the test, having studied 4 hours a day for the past several weeks with the REA study guide, the Official Clep Study Guide, and IC. A few days ago I took the second practice test for the first time in the REA study guide and made a 68.
So I'm really at a loss for why I wasn't ready for the exam.

Does anyone else have any failed test experiences similar to mine?
I'm taking it again in 6 months- does anyone have any advice on how I could be better prepared next time?

[ideafx]

I plan on taking it in a few months. It looks like the REA guide for Am Govt received really poor reviews on Amazon (2 stars), although I haven't purchased it myself. Did the test go into detail about specific cases that the REA guide did not cover? The IC Flashcards and study guides definitely need to be overhauled for this particular exam based on everything I've read in the exam feedback section.

[jacanyardie]

Of all the CLEP tests I've taken so far (6), The American Government CLEP I took today was my first failed test (I failed with a 49). I felt completely confident to take the test, having studied 4 hours a day for the past several weeks with the REA study guide, the Official Clep Study Guide, and IC. A few days ago I took the second practice test for the first time in the REA study guide and made a 68.
So I'm really at a loss for why I wasn't ready for the exam.

Does anyone else have any failed test experiences similar to mine?
I'm taking it again in 6 months- does anyone have any advice on how I could be better prepared next time?

So sorry.......I feel your pain.
Call Clep Office and see the if they will re-check your exam ( I have had a machine failed on me twice more than half way in a test, and then there was no evidence of me even starting.....also had the grade/point increase about 2 months after receiving the initial grading......I took this test without REA, CLEP, or PETERSON's help........I used Hipppo Campus (audio) His 1&11 , wiki, IC, Highschool Social Studies, and Quizlet.

[Ruddigore]

Of all the CLEP tests I've taken so far (6), The American Government CLEP I took today was my first failed test (I failed with a 49).

...does anyone have any advice on how I could be better prepared next time?

The American Government CLEP seems to be something of a bugger for a lot of people. As Confucius (or someone like that) said, "Failure is not the falling down, but the refusing to get back up." And you've already decided to get right back up!

I would say that, because you have a better feel for the exam (plus you were so close) that next time there will be a happier ending. But the main thing for me was using IC as a springboard for studying. I looked up a lot of stuff on Wikipedia during the week I studied for American Gov (I had some prior knowledge, though).

You may have already seen my feedback, some of which is below:

Having studied US History I definitely helped too. As I noted elsewhere on the forum, there were questions where I thought, "Hm, I didn't study this while I was studying for American Government... But I did study it when preparing for US History I!" Problem solved.

The questioning on the exam, though not particularly difficult, definitely had the potential to confuse. Every once in a while the use of an unfamiliar wording would require some extra thought. Just relax and try to figure out exactly what the question is asking.

The bottom line is the IC is very comprehensive and will give you a good base of easy questions to answer quickly so that you can concentrate on the less clear questions. There will always be a couple that simply don’t seem clear.

Perhaps you could take US History I during the next 6 months as a way to get more background in Social Studies (assuming you haven't taken it already).

I hope that, however you prepare, you pass with flying colors!
R.

[marianne202]

American govt. was my first CLEP and I failed it by 2 points. I had a horrible, horrible test center experience and I called CLEP and sent an email as soon as I got home detailing the complaints and basically telling them that had the testing environment been more conducive to testing I would have been able to concentrate and pass. They verified all my info with the test proctor and then granted me a free retest in 60 days. Needless to say I didn't got back to that test center! I have found a wonderful test center with a terrific proctor and now drive 90 minutes each way to test. If you have any such problems, I would notify CLEP immediately.

To study for my retest I used the textbook, We The People and The Bill. I also used the specific exam feedback here and looked up anything I didn't know or find in my book. I found a used, short version of the textbook on Amazon for $5. It was easy to read and really worth it. I also used Spark Notes for a quick review of the key info including all the various amendments. I didn't do any practice exams. This along with a nice test environment ensured I passed.

Good luck! Don't let it get you down, you will triumph over CLEP exams!

[bobjill]

Did you just use IC to study for your intro. to psych. test? I am taking it next week and have used the IC exclusively and wonder if that's enough to pass.

[taylor]

Don't be so hard on yourself. I failed 3 CLEPS, I studied for 1 but the other 2 I thought my prior knowledge would allow me to pass, big mistake. Finally, I passed a DSST but that was only 3 credits as opposed to the three 6 credit "heavy hitters" that I failed:mad: .

[angie111]

Just failed my English comp test. I feel like a total idiot, just because I thought that I could pass it without studying. Sad thing is, I bombed it hard.

[sgloer]

Note that the American Government flashcards were updated at the end of January with dozens of new flashcards when we upgraded that subject to v2, so please give them a shot before dismissing them as desperately needing an update!

[Levi]

I failed the new DSST Business Math exam back in October... Not a good feeling.