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TESTS FOR COLLEGE CREDIT
- CLEP tests
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- Preparing for Credit-by-Exam Tests
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PREPARING FOR CREDIT-BY-EXAM TESTS ("BROWN-BAG UNIVERSITY")
A really good way to prepare for a CLEP test (or a DSST or ECE exam) is through a “Brown-bag University”. Essentially, this is a study group set up by a number of people interested in taking one of these exams. (The term “brown-bag university” is used both in the military and civilian workplace because these study groups often meet during lunch time.)
How does it work? First, everyone agrees which test they want to take. Then they find a facilitator who can guide them through the process (preferably someone very knowledgeable about the subject of the test). The facilitator then obtains the test’s official study guide.
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DSST Fact Sheet (click on the title of the test you’re studying for)
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for a Excelsior College Examination Content Guide, an Excelsior student or an ESO who’s also a DANTES Test Control Officer (TCO) can download these from Excelsior's web site
These study guides/fact sheets include an outline of each test’s content, which lists the approximate percentage of the examination devoted to each content area and includes about 30 sample questions.
The study guides/fact sheets also list one or more reference books (usually college text books) useful in preparing for the test. You and the other members of the study group decide which book to buy then purchase copies for yourselves. Or your command may agree to buy one copy of the book for each member of the group.
Once you’ve got the books, your group, your facilitator, or both create lesson plans based on the content outline, set aside a times during which to hold your classes.
After finishing lessons for all the subject areas covered in the test, your ESO will order enough tests for each study group member (if she’s a DANTES TCO) and will administer tests, preferably all at the same time. If your ESO isn’t a TCO, you’ll need to arrange to take the test through a TCO. Most full-time ESOs are TCOs.
Keep in mind that although these tests are free the first time you take them, if you fail and want to take a test again, you have to pay for it. The current costs are:
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DSST, $80
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CLEP Examination, $122
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ECE, between $250 and $355, depending on the test