This is probably one of the most frustrating exams I have ever taken and not because of any difficulty with the subject matter but more due to the questions and options provided. I scored a 74 on this test but after working in the industry for 20+ years I expected better. Here is a summary of my experience with the Intro to Computing exam.

Test – DANTES Introduction to Computing
Questions – 98
Time – 120 minutes

General Observations

The test questions were basic with an emphasis on software applications, basic hardware, basic programming techniques, basic networking and the Internet usage. If someone has a handle on the terminology and acronyms they will pass the exam. If you have industry training and experience you will have no problems scoring well on the exam. What I found difficult was when a question was asked that went along the lines of – all of the following except one will …..? or What will a computer never be able to do? Or What can’t you do in this type of software package? And then provide options where all options are possible and without any strictly correct answers. In most cases it was obvious which answer they were after but not in all cases and worse than that it changed the mindset from looking for the correct answer to looking for which answer do I think they want. All-in-all I shouldn’t complain too much and the exam took less than 40 minutes so time was never an issue and a pass is a pass.

My Preparation

I didn’t pick up a book or look at a flashcard at all for this exam and relied purely on past experience. For those without experience I suggest that IC is probably all you would need or if it would make you feel more comfortable pick up any recognized text on intro to computing. The subject isn’t very deep and a basic understanding of terms and how to use spreadsheets and word processors would probably get you through it.

There isn’t much else I can offer in regards to advice with this one as for me most of it was second nature. If anyone has any specific questions relating to this exam let me know and I will help if I can.


Best of luck to all

Regards

I doubt that I have much to offer that hasn’t already been posted on the forum but on the off chance that I do include something that is of help to someone here is my experience with the macroeconomics test. Keep in mind, I passed with a 66 but as my score suggests, I am no authority on the subject.

Test – CLEP Principles of Macroeconomics
Questions – 80
Time – 90 minutes

General Observations

The test questions seemed to run pretty much in the order that they are presented in the CLEP Official Study Guide. That is, the questions started with Basic Concepts, moved onto Measurements and ended with International Trade and Finance. Out of the first 20 questions I felt fairly confident about 17 or 18 of them which reduced any anxiety I may have been feeling about the rest of the questions. I found that the time allowed was more than adequate with over 30 minutes still available when I finished the test.

My Preparation

I utilized Cliffs AP – Economics Micro and Macro for my preparation. I found this a very concise guide which was easy to understand with plenty of review and test questions for practice (a number of which seemed almost identical to the CLEP official study guide questions). I believe this resource would be enough (though I suggest using IC to supplement the book) to produce scores in the 70s with proper use and adequate preparation time. Maybe I shouldn’t admit this in public but I only went through the Macroeconomics section of the book and only bothered to complete 1 of the 3 available practice exams in the book. I took 2 weeks to prep for this test but what I didn’t realize was that in the book there was an additional section (at the end of the microeconomics section – far from the macro section) that dealt with International Economics which made up 10%-15% of the exam questions.

The exam questions

There weren’t any real surprises in the exam with only some basic math required and an understanding of the concepts. If anything, I thought there were a disproportionate number of questions relating to Fiscal and Monetary policies but that may have been a perception issue. There was a tendency to ask similar questions in different ways, for example:

What is the Fed trying to achieve when it buys bonds?
To increase the money supply the Fed can?
What tool could be used as part of an expansionary monetary policy?

The only thing that could be a bit tricky with these questions is the use of distracters in the answer options. If the question was about Monetary policy at least two options were related to Fiscal policy and vice versa so it is imperative to have these clear in your mind. And intermingled with 3 questions like those above were 3 questions relating to Fiscal policy so it could be easy to start confusing them with each other.

Anyway, I didn’t come across any real demons and here’s hoping that those of you taking this exam in the future don’t either.



Best of luck to all

Regards

Listen , If you request the scores from E.T.S. to send scores to another school; can you ask them to only send the passing scores....and omit the low scores...

just a question...

I am trying to get a a bachelors degree in Small Business Management/Entrepreneurship from TESC. I am wondering if any of you know what test I should take to get the credits I need for these subjects?

Thomas Edison State College - Prospective Students - Undergraduate Programs - Degree Programs - Bachelor of Science in Business Administration

Are there lots of theory questions on the DSST Statistics exam?
Thanks,
Adoncia

My school will allow me to transfer 9 upper division electives to finish up my degree in July. I have already taken Org Behavior and Labor Relations.

What courses would you guys recommend? Call me a slacker, but I am looking for the ones that require the least amount of prep time due to working full time and school full time.

Thanks

For those of you with experience, I have two questions regarding letter and pass/fail CLEP grades:

I am planning on enrolling in our local rural community college in the summer. I don't believe they automatically give a "letter" grade for CLEP. However, I have heard of colleges doing so upon request.

1. Has anyone had success requesting a letter grade against the normal practices of their college? AND

2. If you receive a pass/fail grade, does this count toward or against your GPA? Is the CLEP treated as a "C", or is your GPA only calculated only from your regular courses?

Hello,
I just heard about the Dantes Intro to Computing and would like to take this test. Does anyone know if Excelsior college accepts taking this Dantes PLUS the CLEP intro to Computer?
I already took the CLEP and before I waste my Sunday studying for this exam (before I can call Excelsior to find out) I thought, someone here might now.
Hope you can help,
Thanks,
kckusek

This was my first test, with many more to go. Out of 108 questions I had to really think about 10. Some questions were easier that I thought they would be, but I really have no feeling on how I did. I did not feel prepared going into the test mostly because I had been taking the practice tests in a booklet that DANTES puts out and I had not passed one. I did do well on the InstantCert flash cards, but was very worried going into the test because of lack of performance on the DANTES Standardized Test Booklet. I did ok (not great but passing) on the computer version of the practice test from then dsst web site. A person waiting to take a test at the test site did say that the questions in the booklet are much more diffiuclt than the actual test.
Your posts on this forum have been such a help. I really enjoy reading them, it is great how everyone supports each other. I will let you know when I get the result back. It was a penicl and paper test not computerized.
Joyce

Hi,
Anyone out there taken the Lifespan Dev Psych exam either ECE or Dante? If so, what study materials did you use? LS Dev Psych is a requirement for my degree.
Thanks for your time.
Brenda