HG&D CLEP or Substance Abuse DSST

[missocean]

This is my first post here so I hope it's in the right place!

I just took my first DSST exam this past friday, Here's to Your Health and passed 414/400. Now I have to decided which Social Sciences test to take, I'm looking at Human Growth and Development CLEP or the Substance Abuse DSST exam. Does anyone who has taken these have an opinion on which one I should go for? Or anyone who has taken HTYH then one of these exams?

I know I'm going to have to study a good bit for either one but I want to get this one out of the way by the end of this month because I am planning on completing my BSIT at Phoenix in December (23 to be exact) and after this 3 credit social science exam I have to take 6 credit humanities CLEP so I want to leave myself a good bit of study time for that one.

[FallingWaters]

In my opinion, it depends on your history/knowledge regarding drugs. I have been studying for the substance Abuse test for months and just cannot keep all the drugs, their street names, side effects and withdrawal effects straight. People that have experience with that sort of thing find remembering them a lot easier.

The HG&D test was probably the most interesting one I studied for. It wasn't easy, but definitely important things to know.

[cookderosa]

HG&D was my first CLEP and highest score out of all that I took. I'd had children and lived through a couple phases of the "lifespan" <cough> so I didn't find it hard at all. In contrast, when I took the Substance Abuse test, I found it pretty friggin hard. I can't recall, but I think it's still considered upper level. I remember not knowing the brand names, and I'll be frank- as someone without much "experience" with substances (prescription or otherwise) it was all new info for me. So, I guess my suggestion is to pick the one you feel most comfortable with!

[missocean]

@FallingWaters & @cookderosa thanks for your responses! I was leaning towards substance abuse because I had thought I probably learned some of it from here's to your health but after reading both of your replys I think it's probably more in depth than I had expected. I'll probably start studying for the HG&D and take that one. I think I'll find it more interesting and easier to study.

One more question, are the CLEP tests much different than DSST? I only have taken one DSST exam and it was computer based.

Again thanks for your quick responses, I'm glad I found this site.

[BGSU_Alum_86]

The CLEP exams are also on the computer (I believe they have done away with the paper-based ones except for accommodations requests). CLEP offers 5 possible answers for the multiple-choice questions (where DSST provides 4 possible answers). Almost all of the CLEP exams allow for 90 minutes of test time (College Comp allows for 120 minutes); maximum of 120 minutes for all DSST exams.

[missocean]

Okay thank you! The time limit doesn't scare me I did HTYH in about 30 min it's the extra possible answer that worries me because I tend to use process of eliminiation and thats one more I have to eliminate but I'll just have to study more lol. Thanks!

[sklineho]

To me Substance Abuse was FAR easier. HG&D isn't a tough subject but the test doesn't really match most study material even the REA guide. The guide covers the stuff, but the test focuses far too much on some sections while neglecting others. I'll warn you, whoever wrote this test apparently thinks Jean Piaget is the greatest person in history. Poor Erikson, Freud, Vygotsky, Bandura, and pretty much everyone else play second-fiddle

[missocean]

Maybe I will try to take a practice test for each one and see which one I initially do better on then go from there.

[OST]

I am planning on completing my BSIT at Phoenix in December (23 to be exact)

Would that happen to be University of Phoenix?

I'd advise against enrolling there. It's well-known for being a disreputable online college and a huge waste of money. I'd recommend looking into other online colleges -- preferably a non-profit state college.

[missocean]

Yes, I attend University of Phoenix and I've already been a student there since July 2011 so it's a little too late for that lol. I will be graduating December 23 of this year so long as I pass my next two exams. There are mixed feelings towards UoP, if I could start over I wouldn't go again because of the cost but on the positive side I have learned a lot. I went because it was easiest for me so I could continue to work. My classes at the community college I attended prior to UoP were online as well. As for it being disreputable I disagree with that, they are an accredited college and with any degree you're not guaranteed a job anyways, it's all what you put into it.