Newbie Here, Looking to get started.

[rebel100]

Mike,

Thanks for the info, so just so I'm clear.. I could use this CLEP - College-Level Exam Program and then take the degree requirements from their site to build my plan? For sake of example.. let's say I was going for this Thomas Edison State College: Associate in Arts

I could take the following CLEPs to meet all requirements?

ENC-101/102-CE College Composition (General) (6 crÃdits)

HUM-101/102-CE Humanities (General) (6 credits)
LIT-111/112-CE American Literature (6 credits)

SOS-101/102-CE Social Sciences and History (General) (6 credits)
PSY-101-CE Introductory Psychology (3 credits)
SOC-101-CE Introductory Sociology (3 credits)

NAS-101/102-CE Natural Sciences (General) (6 credits)
MAT-102/103-CE College Mathematics (General) (6 credits)

* I'm confused here, they only require 9 credits so, for sake of example, would I need to change this to a 3 credit CLEP or can I apply the 3 credits to "general education electives"?

If those extra three apply to general education electives then I could take:

HIS-101-CE Western Civilization I: Ancient Near East to 1648 (3 credits)
HIS-102-CE Western Civilization II: 1648 to the Present (3 credits)

Then I have to do 12 free elective credits, so Ideally I'd take 12 credits that apply to something in my selected major right?

I know this sounds kind of silly, I'm just trying to make sure I line up CLEP testing to TESC course requirements if that makes any sense.

Your pretty much all over it. Here is the TESC CLEP equivalency sheet, CLEP - College-Level Exam Program Here is the DSST list DANTES Note how many credits from both lists count as UL work...I know your concentrating on the AA but thats a big deal for the Bachelors later!

I would take a good look at each test and work toward your strengths. For example American Lit is very doable but most folks have to study a good bit to pass that one, and alternative is Analyzing and Interpreting Lit which is essentially reading comprehension and widely regarded as an easy 6 credits. Principles of Marketing and Principles of Management are also considered very straightforward and doable without too much study.

Yes, if you take say College Math for 6 and Biology for 6 then the "extra 3" should count towards electives. I would look through the lists and see what strikes you as doable in each category. Note that some of the DSST count at the UL. there are also TECEP and EC exams as well as Straighterline to round out your plan.....and remember that FEMA credits are free and usefull either towards free electives or as professional courses towards specific degrees like the AAS in Homeland Security/Emergency Management.

Just for comparison purposes here are the links to the Charter Oak Gen eds and test equivalencies. Charter Oak State College - General Education Requirements
Charter Oak State College - List of Exams COSC is likely cheaper in some ways...but they will require a cornerstone and a capstone its almost a wash. I looked hard at all of the Big three and almost went Excelsior but Charter Oak was the choice due to service and financial aid issues. TESC is a great choice as well...probably right for you as the upfront cost seems to be less of an issue.