Chemistry CLEP

[BabyTex]

Hi!

Thanks for your PM. I hope it is okay with you that I am sharing my answer on the forum.

I had a similar experience with Schaum's. (I'm glad to know that it wasn't just me.) Overall it turned out to be helpful that I had read it. It is even helping me now while I am studying for the Biochemistry GRE. I just should not have expected it to be the only book I would need for the CLEP and I should not have read it first (too deep with not enough basics).

You have a much stronger background in Chemistry than I did. That is a very good thing.

I really needed to start with "This is an atom". That was the Chemistry Concepts and Problems book. Look through it at Amazon and see if it would help clear up some confusion on some of the topics for you. Khan Academy may be another possibility, but I did not know about these videos at the time I was studying.

You have probably already seen my feedback with my practice scores:

Part 1 - http://www.degreeforum.net/excelsior-tho...#post66172

Part 2 - http://www.degreeforum.net/excelsior-tho...#post66173

As you take the practice tests, you will get an idea of the depth that is important to know for formulas. REA has some formulas that seemed beyond the material that is covered in other sources/exams, so I skipped those. In your example, half-life and order of reactions are good to know, but the combination is not something that I recall learning/memorizing. (Maybe I got that one wrong?)

My favorite part of preparing for exams is taking and learning from the practice tests. To me, REA tests often seem a lot easier than the Peterson's. In this case, I did worse on REA. Then, I usually think the real test is harder (wordier or deeper) than both, but somehow they are very good preparation for the real test. Going through the process of taking practice exams helped me get from very lost to being ready, but I don't know that I actually felt that way.

I also relied heavily on the Official CLEP Guide topics list and sample questions to make sure I was learning the right material.

Congratulations on being so close to finishing your degree! You picked a big hurdle for last, but I know you can do it! You will be very proud of yourself when you do!

Thank you so much for the advice! I'm glad to know that you found Schuam's just as confusing because I was starting to worry that I just wasn't cut out to take this CLEP. Also, I'm glad to know that you didn't use the crazy formulas I showed you in the PM, I'll look over them anyways, but they were not part of any practice test (Petersons, REA or Official CLEP Study Guide) so I'll focus more on the major ones.

I looked over Khan Academy and it is a great site for the basics! I'm planning on taking the rest of the practice tests and continue studying over the next few weeks to take it sometime in early July.

It seems like Chemistry has the least information, so thank you for your help, it really calmed my nerves!