Accounting honestly doesn't involve a lot of math beyond the basics: addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. Its more about understanding the process behind 'balancing the book' and memorization of formulas.

InstantCert was my primary source for study material. I ended up taking about 30 pages of notes. Principlesofaccounting.com is another awesome resource.

Accountingcoach.com can also be invaluable, although I never got around to really utilizing it.

My biggest hurdle with accounting was learning the very basics. You really do have to abandon 'common sense' and everything you learned about math.

Accounting at its most basic is all about balance. One aspect of the accounting equation must be equal to the other half.

I'm not going to lie. Preparing for this test was an ordeal. 3 weeks of constantly telling myself that all will come to fruition, and this to shall pass.

But for 6 credits it was worth it. The Peterson's practice exams are an awesome indication of your success. If you have any background experience with accounting you may find this test easier than I did. Your mileage may vary. I passed it and can safely say I have never hated any educational topic as much as I hate and loathe accounting. But I get it, and I passed it. I just don't like it. And I did it in 3 weeks while attending brick and mortar school full time and working in the Navy.

As far as the actual test goes, I didn't find it that difficult. Between my notes and the Perterson's practice exams, I was adequatly prepared for it. Just watch your time, because I do honestly believe it is the biggest killer in this test.

Best strategy for the CLEP is to get yourself to the point where you are breaking 60% on the Peterson's tests, then when you are actually taking the CLEP click your way through the test. The easy questions you know answer confidently. The ones you don't, give yourself a moment to read the problem and make an educated guess then mark that question you aren't sure about. After you make your way through the entire test the first time, start hitting up all those marked questions you didn't know off the bat. If you have covered the basics, you'll find that you have correctedly answered around half of the questions. After that its chipping away at whats left, and just relying upon good old probability for those that you have no clue on.

I scored a 58. My lowest score and I don't honestly think I have ever been happier over any test. Its worth 6 credits and you will only get one shot at it.

Although on the upside if you do fail the CLEP, you can turn right around and take the new CLEP Financial Accounting. The DANTES Financial Accounting is also not going anywhere anytime soon.

I did talk to my CLEP admistrator about why they were getting rid of Principles of Accounting. According to what he said, it was because the failure rate on the CLEP was so high.

I believe the reason so many failed was because they underestimated the test, and didn't apply their time properly. If you work your way through IC and score well on Peterson's practice exams, you shoudln't have a problem. Just remember to practice your time management on the Peterson tests. It worked for me.

And utilize principlesofaccounting.com and accountingcoach.com to cover those subjects you don't understand confidently enough.

G'day,

For those that may be interested. A couple of years ago I was asked to teach Microsoft Office and to prepare students for their Microsoft Office Specialist exams. To do this I sat (and passed) the Microsoft Office Specialist exams and Certiport's IC3 exam. Excelsior have just credited me with 1 credit (applied professional) for each exam for a total of 8 credits. The exams were:

• MS Word Specialist
  
• MS Word Expert
  
• MS Excel Specialist
  
• MS Excel Expert
  
• MS PowerPoint Specialist
  
• MS Access Specialist
  
• MS Outlook Specialist
  
• IC3 Computer Fudamentals
  

I have completed 7 so far. I hope TESC accepts all of them for my electives. I need 27. It would be nice if someone could tell me what they accepted. Thanks!!

Hey everyone,
Well tomorrow is my second clep.....wish me luck. The only thing that makes me nervous is remembering all these theorists...there's like 20 to remember. I have my test at 11am. Thanks for everyone's help in the process. I will let you know how it goes.....

I have 5 more upper level DSST courses to go, Just passed MIS, any suggestions on what next course ? Any study guide ?

Just wanted to thank all the people who have posted on these forums. The information and encouragement found here have helped me reach my goal. A degree from Excelsior College. I just graduated with a BS\CIS and Magna Cum Laude to boot. Finding this site made that goal a lot eaiser to attain. I took a lot of advice and tips from this site on how to study and what methods diffrent people use to pass some of the tests. They worked well as I aced most of my tests. If anybody gets discouraged I want to let them know now, do not give up. It took me awhile, and a lot of work, but it's tough to describe the feeling one gets when you get your diploma. It was worth all the time and all of the work and then some. Enough of me on the soapbox, just wanted to say thanks and give some encouragement to those trying to reach thier goals.

Does anyone here have experience with getting their Novell Certification transcript to Excelsior? I e-mailed edcustomer@novell.com twice, with no response. I tried logging into the Novell certification website, and it won't take my information. It directs you the edcustomer@novell.com e-mail address if your having problems. Catch 22 at this point. Any advice?

Has anyone used ICT Literacy Assessment from ETS.org given at Prometric Testing centers for the Information Literacy course required by Excelsior?

Here is the link if it helps ETS Home.

I was just wanting to find out if this is an option for that course.

Thanks.

Hello,

I have a question. I am in need of six history credits. Is it easier to take the US History I and II Clep, one after the other or just go for Social Sciences and History Exam. I just got done with the Natural Science and Biology Exams and want something easy.

Thank you.

I just thought I'd let you know that I PASSED MY LAST TEST!! I'm a college grad! Business Law II - 63! The funny thing was that I was really worried about this one. I thought I'd failed it for sure, but I got an A.

Thank you to everyone on this forum. You have all been so helpful. You have created a very useful community, where we can all succeed.

Thank you to all!!!