I began preparing two weeks ago after passing the ISCA and Intro to Computing. I used InstantCert supplemented by my prior learning and the Long & Long Computers book for the MIS exam and InstantCert only for Sociology. I used the CLEP practice exams for Sociology and the Petersons for the MIS and Sociology. I also used Wikipedia sparingly for both. I passed the MIS exam with a 61 which is an "A" at Excelsior. I thought I would be in the mid-60's but am still happy to have an "A" averaged in there. There are no letter grades for CLEP exams--but I got a 72 on the Sociology. Maybe I should be a Sociologist!

For those of you who are like me and new to this, here are some of my observations.

I kept track of the number of questions I knew the answer to vs. those I could narrow down to two answers vs. those I had to guess. There were 89 questions on the MIS. There were about 38 I knew, 39 I could narrow down, and the rest I had no idea. That got me a 62. On the CLEP test there were 50 I knew, 40 I could narrow down and 10 that I didn't know. That got me a 72. The crazy thing about these tests is that it's not that common in my experience to be able to study exactly what's going to be on the test. Instead, you get some version of what you studied--or the question falls in between what you've studied so you can make educated guesses. For example--on the Sociology exam there was a question about Gesellschaft. I knew that was a relationship description which involved "contractual" or other committments beyond casual or social. Well--that's all well and good--except the question on the exam involved what kind of circumstance was consistent with Gesellschaft. One choice was a traditional neighborhood--another was a feudal something or other in medieval times. I didn't know anything about that!

In any event, for MIS, my life experience helped for about 10% of it. The computer book probably was another 15% and the rest was InstantCert and the Peterson and CLEP practice tests. InstantCert and the Peterson and CLEP practice tests were obviously enough for the Sociology. The best supplement would have been some source that would tell you things like--the percentage of people in the US in poverty--women's income vs. men's in the US--oh--and there was one question about what institution has provided steadily declining social benefits over the last 100 years (education, gov't, etc.). Something with those kind of stats would have been helpful.

Anyway, I'm thinking of doing Psych and something that complements Psych next. Preferably something easy. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks!

Hi,

I just recieved my REA for Algebra. Chapter 1 was Greek to me which means I am in trouble. Last Math class was in high school 25 some years ago. I also will need to CLEP out of Chemistry (don't laugh =)
I obviously will need additional resources and am looking for sugestions.

Thanks for your time.
Brenda

I've been studying for the Here's To Your Health test, I'm taking it on Monday (I was scheduled to take it today... but things didn't work out) anyway. I've been doing really well with the flashcards. I'm just wondering how technical the test wording is. I am getting almost all the flashcard answers correct, just problems with spelling and not the right word formation i.e. independant vs independance or dependant vs dependancy. Is this going to be a problem? Thanks for any input!

Hi everyone,
I barely passed with a 49 in MIS today.I am happy i passed because i found this subject very very difficult to study.
What i remember from the exam:
89 Questions.
Specific and general questions were:
Difference between asynchonous and synchronous systems.
How many bytes are there in one kilobyte (1000 is the right answer i think)
A question that asked about RISC another one about CISC
Components of CPU
1 question about optical fibre.
Who is responsible for making a data flow diagram (options were analyst,database administrator,programmer and one more)
Who was responsible for inventing storage program (i don't recall the names except for Bill Gates,I had no idea what this question was about)
Which system became popular in 80's and 90's (options were TPS,MIS,Strategic and Expert Systems)
Which system depends on other systems for information
A question about how entropy can be minimized
what is a database (the definition)
What is a record
Which is the smallest unit in databases (answer is Bit)
There were about half a dozen questions about Prototyping.
One question about RAD
One question about JAD
Many questions about the different Information Systems..like DSS,ESS and many about MIS.
One question about transmission protocol
One question about Fair Information Policies
One question about Intellectual Property Rights (about copyright,trademarketc )

Know all of Instantcert really well and that should be sufficient to pass.I found this subject too boring and difficult so i did not work as hard as i should have.
The last 6 sections of IC are particularly important.
Also read the flashcards on Informations Systems and Computer Applications as there were several questions that required basic knowledge.I did not read those and i think that hurt.
I hope i have been of some help.This is all that i could recall after trying really hard:o (did'nt have a pen..so made my hubby remember half the stuff on the drive back home hilarious )
I will post more if i recall anything else.
Adoncia

can you get to this forum directly or do you have to go thru instacert.com?

Is it safe to assume that pre-calculus is easier than calculus in terms of the CLEP? I have sufficiently forgotten any of this material long ago and honestly can't remember the differences between the two.

Hello everyone,

This is my first post on this forum! Previously I've been on degreeinfo for a few years now! I haven't been able to post on the site and I can't seem to get incontact with anyone who can fix it! Onward & Upward! I think this forum will provide more exam/prep/material/what to study! Please take a look at my signature line and provide me with insight to the exams I have left! Any info would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

I would like to echo some of the statements about this test being quite easy. I read about it on here on Monday this week, and decided to try this exam. I completed the three free practice tests on guidnace net with scores of 72, 72, and 76. I took the test this evening and scored a 72. I looks like the practice tests were quite accurate in showing the level of understanding of the material.

Anyone that needs a quick humanities test, this was a good one for me.

Doug

I have been looking over the notes for this exam, and maybe its just me, but it seems pretty common sense info if you have been out in the workforce a long time. I haven't been able to devote as much study time with the amount of stuff going on, but I was wondering if you guys thought I could still pull this off tomorrow or monday? You can tell me if I am in over my head. Thanks!!

I need to know whether the my editor,writer's tool and reference (with the word bank)etc which are present in my access will be there for the actual exam and if i will be given options between 2 essays in each section?
Also what is the desired length of the essays on the actual exam.When i write long essays on my access,i seem to get better points.
Thanks,
Adoncia