09-25-2014, 09:34 PM
Statistics--took 7/29/13 with score of 477
Not really sure what to make of this test. I studied for it for about a week using the Idiot's Guide, Dummies, and IC. Nothing really clicked, though, until I started watching videos about statistics on iTunesU. After that all the concepts started fitting together and I started understanding everything. If I had only used books and IC, it probably would have taken a lot longer for me to figure everything out. Obviously other people may learn differently, but I would highly recommend using actual lecture videos. As for the actual test, it wasn't too bad, as evidenced by my score. Depending on your testing center's rules, you may be able to use your own calculator. I was, and it really helped, so check that out. Also, make sure you know the formulas. I recommend memorizing them (I think I memorized about six or sevel), then writing them out on your scrap piece of paper before you hit "go" on the test. Or after, if you prefer. Then if you have a problem requiring a formula, you just look down your list and find the proper formula.
Western Civ. 1--took 7/29/13 with score of 65
I kinda breezed through this test. Didn't use IC at all, just went through the REA book, which was excellent as usual. As I mentioned earlier, I have a strong background in history, so I already knew most of what I needed to know. Ironically, because of the way my degree fit together, I didn't actually need this test and ended up wasting the $100 for it. Oh well, I realy didn't waste much time on it, which was just as important.
Astronomy--took 8/2/13 with score of 70
If you need 3 natural science credits, this is the way to go. I though this was a really fun test, as it covered a subject I've always wanted to learn more about. Used IC mostly and tried using Dummies book, but it was more about practical astronomy rather than the history and theory covered in the test. Obviously I supplemented IC with a lot of Wikipedia work, and that's what I based the bulk of my study on. Also checked out a few astronomy books from the library that were okay. Depending on your library, you should be able to find something on this subject.
Technical Writing--took 8/2/13 with score of 62
I hate to call any Clep or DSST easy, but this one really is easy, as long as you don't have to do the supplemental essay (none of the Big 3 requires it, I think. I know TESC doesn't). There's a lot of acronymns to learn (RFP is Request For Proposal, etc.), but beyond that most of it is common sense and grammar. Besides Wikipedia, I used the Peterson's Offical Guide to Mastering DSSTs, which does a quick review of about half of the DSSTs. Technical Writing is one of them. I was able to get the Peterson's guides for free (ebook) from the GALE Testing and Education Reference Center (through inspire.in.gov, which may be just for Indiana residents), but even if you have to pay for them, I would still use them. Particularly if you're taking a lot of DSSTs.
Ethics in America--took 8/7/13 with score of 443
This test was about medium in difficulty. Other than straight-up memorization of philosophers and their ideas, there are a few tricky what-if questions about various ethical situations. Use any practice tests you can find to help you prepare for these questions. I used the Peterson's guides for this, which helped immensely. There are also IC flashcards, which are always great.
World Religions--took 8/7/13 with score of 450
Used Peterson's guides and IC again for this, with excellent results for both. Basic memorization of various religions--know the sects of the largest ones and any major beliefs, especially lists of beliefs (i.e., 4 Noble Truths and 8-fold Path for Buddhism). Don't count out religions that seem insignificant, either. Look at the percentages in the DSST study sheet and use that to plan your studying.
Management Information Systems--took 8/15/13 with score of 451
I honestly don't remember much about this test. MIS seems to be a broad treatment of a lot of business information systems, so what I've learned in courses since then has kind of merged with what I learned for the test. Used IC + Wikipedia for this, and it seemed to be right on target as usual. Like Technical Writing, there's a lot of acronyms to learn, with some applications of them. Overall, it seemed to be an advanced version of the Intro to Computing DSST, with many of the same types of questions.
Precalculus--took 9/4/13 with score of 68
I'll be honest--I really didn't pay much attention to this one. Because I leapfrogged ahead and did Calculus too, Precal was kind of an afterthought. I basically studied for both by studying for Calculus. In addition, I had already taken Precal in high school, so I knew a lot about it. If you're just taking Precal by itself, I really can't help you. I would say just play it safe and do ALEKS.
Calculus--took 9/4/13 with score of 64
This was the big one. The test I had to learn the most for, the test I put the most effort into, and the test I enjoyed the most. Like Stats, I started out reading books and got hung up, then shifted to videos. I quickly settled on an Ohio State lecture series I found on iTunesU (you can also find it at https://mooculus.osu.edu/). In addition to being very funny, the guy doing the videos explains everything very simply using for the most part just markers and pieces of paper. After I went through all the videos (there's probably ten hrs worth of 'em, so be prepared), I went back to the books (Calculus Demystified, Calculus the Easy Way, the Cartoon Guide to Calculus, and Idiot's Guide) and once again found that everything had clicked. Remember to practice all of the concepts you learn about while watching videos and reading, because you'll have to perform derivation and integration on the test. I think also that half the test allows an on-screen calculator, but the other half doesn't, so be prepared to do some things without a calculator. In summary, don't be afraid to take on the Calculus challenge. It was really fun for me and stretched my mind in ways I couldn't have imagined. As a bonus, it also made Precal seem ridiculously easy, as I mentioned before.
Not really sure what to make of this test. I studied for it for about a week using the Idiot's Guide, Dummies, and IC. Nothing really clicked, though, until I started watching videos about statistics on iTunesU. After that all the concepts started fitting together and I started understanding everything. If I had only used books and IC, it probably would have taken a lot longer for me to figure everything out. Obviously other people may learn differently, but I would highly recommend using actual lecture videos. As for the actual test, it wasn't too bad, as evidenced by my score. Depending on your testing center's rules, you may be able to use your own calculator. I was, and it really helped, so check that out. Also, make sure you know the formulas. I recommend memorizing them (I think I memorized about six or sevel), then writing them out on your scrap piece of paper before you hit "go" on the test. Or after, if you prefer. Then if you have a problem requiring a formula, you just look down your list and find the proper formula.
Western Civ. 1--took 7/29/13 with score of 65
I kinda breezed through this test. Didn't use IC at all, just went through the REA book, which was excellent as usual. As I mentioned earlier, I have a strong background in history, so I already knew most of what I needed to know. Ironically, because of the way my degree fit together, I didn't actually need this test and ended up wasting the $100 for it. Oh well, I realy didn't waste much time on it, which was just as important.
Astronomy--took 8/2/13 with score of 70
If you need 3 natural science credits, this is the way to go. I though this was a really fun test, as it covered a subject I've always wanted to learn more about. Used IC mostly and tried using Dummies book, but it was more about practical astronomy rather than the history and theory covered in the test. Obviously I supplemented IC with a lot of Wikipedia work, and that's what I based the bulk of my study on. Also checked out a few astronomy books from the library that were okay. Depending on your library, you should be able to find something on this subject.
Technical Writing--took 8/2/13 with score of 62
I hate to call any Clep or DSST easy, but this one really is easy, as long as you don't have to do the supplemental essay (none of the Big 3 requires it, I think. I know TESC doesn't). There's a lot of acronymns to learn (RFP is Request For Proposal, etc.), but beyond that most of it is common sense and grammar. Besides Wikipedia, I used the Peterson's Offical Guide to Mastering DSSTs, which does a quick review of about half of the DSSTs. Technical Writing is one of them. I was able to get the Peterson's guides for free (ebook) from the GALE Testing and Education Reference Center (through inspire.in.gov, which may be just for Indiana residents), but even if you have to pay for them, I would still use them. Particularly if you're taking a lot of DSSTs.
Ethics in America--took 8/7/13 with score of 443
This test was about medium in difficulty. Other than straight-up memorization of philosophers and their ideas, there are a few tricky what-if questions about various ethical situations. Use any practice tests you can find to help you prepare for these questions. I used the Peterson's guides for this, which helped immensely. There are also IC flashcards, which are always great.
World Religions--took 8/7/13 with score of 450
Used Peterson's guides and IC again for this, with excellent results for both. Basic memorization of various religions--know the sects of the largest ones and any major beliefs, especially lists of beliefs (i.e., 4 Noble Truths and 8-fold Path for Buddhism). Don't count out religions that seem insignificant, either. Look at the percentages in the DSST study sheet and use that to plan your studying.
Management Information Systems--took 8/15/13 with score of 451
I honestly don't remember much about this test. MIS seems to be a broad treatment of a lot of business information systems, so what I've learned in courses since then has kind of merged with what I learned for the test. Used IC + Wikipedia for this, and it seemed to be right on target as usual. Like Technical Writing, there's a lot of acronyms to learn, with some applications of them. Overall, it seemed to be an advanced version of the Intro to Computing DSST, with many of the same types of questions.
Precalculus--took 9/4/13 with score of 68
I'll be honest--I really didn't pay much attention to this one. Because I leapfrogged ahead and did Calculus too, Precal was kind of an afterthought. I basically studied for both by studying for Calculus. In addition, I had already taken Precal in high school, so I knew a lot about it. If you're just taking Precal by itself, I really can't help you. I would say just play it safe and do ALEKS.
Calculus--took 9/4/13 with score of 64
This was the big one. The test I had to learn the most for, the test I put the most effort into, and the test I enjoyed the most. Like Stats, I started out reading books and got hung up, then shifted to videos. I quickly settled on an Ohio State lecture series I found on iTunesU (you can also find it at https://mooculus.osu.edu/). In addition to being very funny, the guy doing the videos explains everything very simply using for the most part just markers and pieces of paper. After I went through all the videos (there's probably ten hrs worth of 'em, so be prepared), I went back to the books (Calculus Demystified, Calculus the Easy Way, the Cartoon Guide to Calculus, and Idiot's Guide) and once again found that everything had clicked. Remember to practice all of the concepts you learn about while watching videos and reading, because you'll have to perform derivation and integration on the test. I think also that half the test allows an on-screen calculator, but the other half doesn't, so be prepared to do some things without a calculator. In summary, don't be afraid to take on the Calculus challenge. It was really fun for me and stretched my mind in ways I couldn't have imagined. As a bonus, it also made Precal seem ridiculously easy, as I mentioned before.
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