Bad Test taker

[ErinD]

I'm a really bad test taker, bad anxiety. Do the materials provide really prepare you enough or do you feel like there is never ended information?

[BIPolarGuy]

The IC cards are often good enough, but alot of people suuplement with other resources. I have bought $1 books from used booksites and also use Khans academy or Itunes U for some free lessons. I would suggest to take your first test with, 1. a subject you think you like 2. one of the easier tests to get your feet wet. use the search for "easiest clep tests" or "easiest DSST tests".

If you subscribe to IC, then use the exam specific forum for the test you are going to take. They have a significant amount of relevent information on the exams. They also often have a study sheet or list of what may be missing on IC.

Search for "petersons" and you will find a link for a test site that has sample tests.

I was a bit nervous/sketpicle when I started 4 months ago. Aafter the first test though, I was hooked.

Good luck!
Greg

[cookderosa]

I'm a really bad test taker, bad anxiety. Do the materials provide really prepare you enough or do you feel like there is never ended information?

The materials, in addition to other materials, do prepare you....but if you have bad anxiety I don't see how ANY materials can fix that. I would suggest googling test taking strategies that can reduce your anxiety before attempting to test out of a college course. That said, in any college class, you're likely to have at minimum 1-2 exams and maybe a few quizzes. If you can get control of your anxiety, this is only ONE test and you're done! So, I would suggest that taking one test is less anxiety-provoking than taking a whole class worth. Also, some of the exams are time-crunches (analyzing and interpreting literature comes to mind as a big one) and I'd suggest saving these for later. Take ones that are relatively easily completed in the time allowed until you get into a routine of passing.

Good luck!

[jmichelle79]

I'm a really bad test taker, bad anxiety. Do the materials provide really prepare you enough or do you feel like there is never ended information?

I completely understand what you are saying. Frankly speaking: I have anxiety with every exam and a little in shock when I pass. When I 1st heard of CLEP and DSST I honestly didn't know if I was up for it. But I went ahead and tested, haven't looked back since. I'm completely addicted.

I agree with the other posters here. Use multiple resources and check out specific feedback. You can always come here for support and encouragement. This board is great.

Which exam will be your first?

[Lindagerr]

I was terrified before my first exam. I new if I couldn't do this I would never get a degree ( I was already over 45). I took a TECEP as my first exam I do not recommend that. I bought the recommended book skimmed every chapter, read each chapter summary. Did all the quiz questions and was still a nervous wreck. It was a pencil and paper exam in a large testing room with no dividers. people were entering and leaving the room and the car noise just outside the window was very distracting. I just went through and answered all the questions I thought I knew quickly. Then I went back and concentrated on the ones I wasn't sure of, I made sure I spent every available minute checking things over. When I handed in the exam I was sure I had failed and I went home to wait for the results thinking I am done. After ~ 3 weeks when I got the results in the mail I could not believe it. I only needed a 60 and I got a 74!

Once I had passed that first hurdle I had the nerve to keep going. I finish almost every test thinking I am going to fail, but I haven't failed one yet. So over study for the first one, pick something you already know something about. Try some practice exams, and go for it. What have you got to lose; but some study time and ~$100 dollars, and what have you got to gain; 3-6 credits a huge time savings off taking a course and a sense of accomplishment