Everybody That Has Passed Dantes Statistics Please Participate

[rhodes145]

Got a 70 but as far as I was concerned could have failed. Could narrow down Q's to 2 possibilities but was unsure of my choices. Like I said, I had no idea how I did. Nice surprise...

Used TI BA solar calculator (about $14)

IC, Annenberg videos and Idiot's Guide. Got most out of Idiot's Guide for overview (I knew nuthin..) and IC.

Studied pretty intensely for about 2 weeks, then intermittently for another 2.

Good luck! I was terrified of this test. Give me 25 essays to write any day....

[steelers]

1) Do you need to memorize all of the formulas or just simply know how to solve problems without knowing the formulas (if that makes sense)?

2) Also, I have no idea how to use or incorporate the TI36X calculator that I just purchased. Did you go through all of the material before figuring out how to use your calculator to solve problems or as you went along?

3) I will be using IC and the Dummies workbook. I have pretty much used IC exclusively for all my other exams. I really dread the thought of going through that entire workbook, in addition to IC

I no nothing about this subject and have no idea how to even approach it or learn to use the calculator. Kind of obvious why I left this one for last isn't it?

[rhodes145]

Hi,

You feel the same way I did about this subject and I left it for last too --
Anyway, use the Idiot's Guide as mentioned above -- search forum and you'll see there are other threads (at least one) discussing this -- they're two very different books and believe me, you want the Idiot's Guide.

I don't know anything about the 36 calculator, but again, search for calculator thread and you'll get some info on websites to visit. Also, probably the best source is the booklet that came with it, but if you don't have that you can download it at mfr's site. Really important to know how to use it. I had no clue and really to tell you the truth was resentful I had to spend so much time learning the ins and outs but it was so worth it...

You have to know the concepts as far as the formulas go -- you won't need to memorize the ones on your calculator, but know the others. Also, I don't know about your calculator, but mine had the answer for "slope" designated with an "a" and the answer for the y-intercept as a "b"; while in the formula the slope is designated "b". Other than that, the calculator became my best friend, believe me.

Pay close attention to Idiot's Guide info re hypotheses.

Other than that, I'm not a great one to ask because like I said, I truly believed in my heart that I had failed that test. No perspective.
Best of luck to you!!!!

Barbara

[mjno]

Hey!

I took this test about a month ago and agree completely agree with Barbara's reply. I did not know anything about statistics and the Idiots guide really helped me grasp many of the concepts, (which I think this test is mostly about). I didn't read the whole book just concepts that I didn't understand. I read just what the Dantes guide and past threads suggested.

I don't think you need to memorize the formulas just know what they mean because both Instacert and the Idiots guide would use somewhat different ways to solve the same problems. In my version of the exam they did seem to want you to know the symbols, (again sometimes, but not many I found different symbols to mean the same thing, ex Standard deviation).

My version of the test had lot of probability (permutations, combinations etc. I did not use my calculator much at all except for some basic math like multiplying for combinations, (your test may be different).

My score was 62 and I took about three weeks to study for the test and I did not know anything about stats. I think that Instacert, the Idiots guide and most importantly reading the previous threads on this forum will be more than enough for this test.

Good luck!
I think you will do great.

[steelers]

Sounds like you guys are pretty sold on the Idiot's Guide. Tough call to decide to go with it or the Dummies Handbook which others highly recommend (like Old Rusty Pipe - scored an 80!).

[xn85turbo]

Got a 50, not high but its a pass (passing is 48). I used idiots guide, IC, and the ever worthless passyourclass.com (too many wrong answers to use in the practice test). I also used a personal tutor and studied for 6 weeks. I have been out of school for since 1988. It is mostly concept and little math but it had tons of Null which IC did not cover and the idiots guide did. This test took me 3.5 hours to take which I think is about the average on this forum, I complained to DSST about the computerized time of 2 hours and said it is not enough and that they should review so of the study web sites so they could see how long it takes everyone to do it. If you can find a school that still does paper or request it so you have unlimited time.

[steelers]

Well, that means that I can get a score two points less then you and still be as happy as can be When you say mostly concept and little math does that mean that you did not need to calculate much? Did you use a calculator much? Man, you spent that many weeks studying and still barely passed. I don't know if I can pull this off in the 3 weeks that I have to study for it.