REA study guide question/help

[moose]

Hi all, I have a question for those of you who also used the REA study guide to help prep for the CLEP. I am studying to test out on US History 1, and made it just over half way through the flashcard studying here. Just for fun, and to kinda see how I would do if I just so happened to take the CLEP test now, I took the first REA practice test and scored a 47% (yea, I know), but then it said I have a score of 55. From what I have read and understood, you only need a 50 or better to pass the CLEP? So a 55 would be passing despite missing more than half the questions? And, just for the record, I still fully intend on finishing the flashcards and REA study guides, just decided to take the first practice test for "fun".

Thanks to all who reply!!

[clep3705]

That 55 is just a guess. Getting only 47% correct tells me you aren't ready to pass the real test yet.

[cookderosa]

My son just failed his Info Systems CLEP after passing both REA and all 3 Peterson' practice tests. In the past when I tested (2006-2008) REA and Peterson's were excellent predictors of readiness. Scores over 50% on those were considered solid, search the archives here....however, after our last experience, I think you need to test consistently over 60%, and that's not using the one you've already done- that one can be used for practice, but if you take it a second time, don't count the score - it won't be reliable.

[moose]

I'm for sure not ready to take the exam yet, I just thought I would see how I would do on a practice test. I see you did very well on the US History 1 clep. How long ago did you take it? Did you use more than the Instant Cert Flashcards? I'm actually using both Instant cert and SpeedyPrep as I couldn't decide which to use, so I decided to use both for the first CLEP mainly to see which one I feel prepped me the best, in addition to the REA.

Thanks!

[moose]

Thank you, Jennifer. It does make me wonder, with all these positive reviews that seem to date back to the time frames you mentioned, if they are still reliable resources.

[cookderosa]

Thank you, Jennifer. It does make me wonder, with all these positive reviews that seem to date back to the time frames you mentioned, if they are still reliable resources.

It's hard to say. I follow test results closely, I've read almost every post here for nearly a decade- we have a LOT of testers and beyond InstantCert, the more popular resources are REA and Peterson's. What I can't quite figure out, is among some tests- let's use US History 1- there hasn't been a revision since 2001. That's a LONG time, so in theory, nothings changed. But, what we don't know, is if Peterson's has changed. Have they revised? If so, why? I will tell you with the REA we used, it was the current edition, but in the case of Info Systems, there was a revision, so again, in theory, only the most current edition should have been appropriate. In short- I don't know. I don't even know how often IC updates their material.
What I DO know, is that all CLEP exams (except Social Science) expire in 2018, which opens the door for even more revisions.
For me, it's not a matter of finding study material, it's a matter of finding reliable assessments to see if a person is ready. When the assessments say "yes, you're on target" you have to either trust them or not. Before November, I was SUPER trusting of REA and Peterson's results/assessment as reliable and valid....not feeling that way right now.