03-24-2015, 12:55 PM
(This post was last modified: 03-24-2015, 01:02 PM by KittenMittens.)
Even Joshua Graham from 123collegedegree.com, who was the pioneer in designing a plan for testing out of college degrees (as well as bain4weeks.com) states:
123collegedegree.com/collegecredits.html
"What are my different options to study for the exams?
1) Not study at all. Some people may feel they already know all that is necessary for the exam and therefore do not study at all.* This is usually not recommended unless you really feel that you are pretty knowledgable in the exam subject area.* For example, people who speak spanish fluently should be able to ace the CLEP Spanish exam.
2) You can buy related textbooks.* This is usually the preferred way to study for the exams.* The textbook is what you would normally use in a classroom setting.* However, this requires a lot of additional costs to find the correct textbook to study for.* Then you would have to take the time to go through each textbook and figure out what parts would be most relevant to the exam.* I created a booklist that is a compiled reference list of recommended textbooks that would offer you the most in passing the exams.
3) You can get study guides or "cliff notes". This is what everybody wants:* the quick and easy way to study the main points of what will be covered on the test.* But a similar problem still arises:* which ones are best for each exam? There are literally 1000's of them on the market.* Some are really good, and some are not so good.* You can go through the trial and error process like I did, or you can use the materials recommended below or in the degree plan.
What makes InstantCert Academy so great?
To put it bluntly, InstantCert cuts though all the fat and gives you the meat of what you need to know to successfully pass the credit-by-examination exams (CLEP, DSST, ECE, TECEP, etc.).* Over 3,000 US colleges and universities accept credit-by-examination in one form or another.* They've made it as simple as possible.
Instantcert vs iStudySmart...
iStudySmart takes a very in-depth approach in covering the material that will be on the test.* It is highly recommended ONLY if you either cannot find the study guide in instantcert or recommended textbook as outlined in my BS Roadmap.* Or, perhaps you did purchase the recommended textbook, but need additional guidance in picking out what topics to concentrate on to ace the exam.* Their study guides cost $139-189 a piece.* Compared to InstantCert Academy's $20/month.
For those of us on a budget, or simply want a simple, effective study guide for the test, InstantCert does the trick.* However, iStudySmart takes a more "hands-on-book" approach.* If there is no instantcert guide for an exam that you want to take, or there is an InstantCert guide but you are having a hard time grasping the concepts, then the iStudySmart guides should provide you with what you need.
Why do you promote instantcert so much?
It allowed me to complete an AAS in Electromechanical Studies and a BS in General Business degree requirements from Excelsior College* in 6 months by providing the study material necessary for me to ace the CLEP, DSST, ECE, and TECEP exams in record time.
I uploaded scanned images of my transcripts for those that need more proof.
*Excelsior College, Albany, NY is regionally accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools and is recognized by the US Dept. of Education.* They do not endorse this site.* For more information on Excelsior's degree programs, click here.
How should I study using Instantcert?
Everything is online, so you can access the study material from anywhere you can access the internet.* There is no one right way to study.* Some people study while listening to their favorite CD.* Others must have complete silence.* The main thing to remember is that this is college-level material. Take it seriously.* I bought legal pads and took notes just like it were a physical textbook.
When you understand and can recogize most of the concepts presented in the study guide, you are ready to take the real exam.* Do not randomize the questions (you'll understand this when you login to instantcert).
Could I still pass the CLEP, DSST, ECE, etc. with out an instantcert/iStudySmart membership?
Yes, you could.* But can you afford $100+ for EACH recommended textbook?* Do you have time to spend months diving into a completely unfamiliar topic?* Only to be studying the wrong information?* Probably not."
So I really don't think what I'm advocating about TECEPs being less attractive options for the time being compared to many UExcels that have review materials, practice exams, and sufficient student feedback is really that unreasonable. I am not alone in thinking that, and even he agrees that going through a textbook is inefficient and that students want quick, easy, and convenient methods for getting credit fast, cheap, and easily. And why not? It's human nature to want to go for the path of least resistance. It's not a degree from a mid-tier or high tier school but it's regionally accredited and that's what many people need/want with these types of things.
123collegedegree.com/collegecredits.html
"What are my different options to study for the exams?
1) Not study at all. Some people may feel they already know all that is necessary for the exam and therefore do not study at all.* This is usually not recommended unless you really feel that you are pretty knowledgable in the exam subject area.* For example, people who speak spanish fluently should be able to ace the CLEP Spanish exam.
2) You can buy related textbooks.* This is usually the preferred way to study for the exams.* The textbook is what you would normally use in a classroom setting.* However, this requires a lot of additional costs to find the correct textbook to study for.* Then you would have to take the time to go through each textbook and figure out what parts would be most relevant to the exam.* I created a booklist that is a compiled reference list of recommended textbooks that would offer you the most in passing the exams.
3) You can get study guides or "cliff notes". This is what everybody wants:* the quick and easy way to study the main points of what will be covered on the test.* But a similar problem still arises:* which ones are best for each exam? There are literally 1000's of them on the market.* Some are really good, and some are not so good.* You can go through the trial and error process like I did, or you can use the materials recommended below or in the degree plan.
What makes InstantCert Academy so great?
To put it bluntly, InstantCert cuts though all the fat and gives you the meat of what you need to know to successfully pass the credit-by-examination exams (CLEP, DSST, ECE, TECEP, etc.).* Over 3,000 US colleges and universities accept credit-by-examination in one form or another.* They've made it as simple as possible.
Instantcert vs iStudySmart...
iStudySmart takes a very in-depth approach in covering the material that will be on the test.* It is highly recommended ONLY if you either cannot find the study guide in instantcert or recommended textbook as outlined in my BS Roadmap.* Or, perhaps you did purchase the recommended textbook, but need additional guidance in picking out what topics to concentrate on to ace the exam.* Their study guides cost $139-189 a piece.* Compared to InstantCert Academy's $20/month.
For those of us on a budget, or simply want a simple, effective study guide for the test, InstantCert does the trick.* However, iStudySmart takes a more "hands-on-book" approach.* If there is no instantcert guide for an exam that you want to take, or there is an InstantCert guide but you are having a hard time grasping the concepts, then the iStudySmart guides should provide you with what you need.
Why do you promote instantcert so much?
It allowed me to complete an AAS in Electromechanical Studies and a BS in General Business degree requirements from Excelsior College* in 6 months by providing the study material necessary for me to ace the CLEP, DSST, ECE, and TECEP exams in record time.
I uploaded scanned images of my transcripts for those that need more proof.
*Excelsior College, Albany, NY is regionally accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools and is recognized by the US Dept. of Education.* They do not endorse this site.* For more information on Excelsior's degree programs, click here.
How should I study using Instantcert?
Everything is online, so you can access the study material from anywhere you can access the internet.* There is no one right way to study.* Some people study while listening to their favorite CD.* Others must have complete silence.* The main thing to remember is that this is college-level material. Take it seriously.* I bought legal pads and took notes just like it were a physical textbook.
When you understand and can recogize most of the concepts presented in the study guide, you are ready to take the real exam.* Do not randomize the questions (you'll understand this when you login to instantcert).
Could I still pass the CLEP, DSST, ECE, etc. with out an instantcert/iStudySmart membership?
Yes, you could.* But can you afford $100+ for EACH recommended textbook?* Do you have time to spend months diving into a completely unfamiliar topic?* Only to be studying the wrong information?* Probably not."
So I really don't think what I'm advocating about TECEPs being less attractive options for the time being compared to many UExcels that have review materials, practice exams, and sufficient student feedback is really that unreasonable. I am not alone in thinking that, and even he agrees that going through a textbook is inefficient and that students want quick, easy, and convenient methods for getting credit fast, cheap, and easily. And why not? It's human nature to want to go for the path of least resistance. It's not a degree from a mid-tier or high tier school but it's regionally accredited and that's what many people need/want with these types of things.
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