Which tests can be taken ICE COLD!?!

[Shadowless]

I was wondering what tests, without prior experience could be taken ICE COLD! As in, little to no prior experience or study time. I searched the forum and couldn't find anything for this subject alone as was wondering what others thoughts and opinions were on this subject. I would say A and I Literature is one.

[Chebasaz]

Originally Posted by Shadowless

I was wondering what tests, without prior experience could be taken ICE COLD! As in, little to no prior experience or study time. I searched the forum and couldn't find anything for this subject alone as was wondering what others thoughts and opinions were on this subject. I would say A and I Literature is one.

I read voraciously, so American Lit, English Lit, and A&I Lit were all taken with no prior studying. I think American Lit I scored high 60's, the other two were 70+.

A few others - Humanities, Social Science and History, American History II, Ancient Civ II (Passed without studying, but it was close - 58)

As I said, I read.. alot. So I'm not sure if that's what helped or if it was a process of elimination thing. Either way, it can't hurt to give the IC cards a look. I can usually study for a day on those and know I'll pass.

[ShotoJuku]

I think taking any exam cold is directly related to any and all previously attained knowledge. One may be well-versed in US History (via general interest, hobby, etc.) so they may be quite able and ready to sit an exam and pass it "cold."

However, I agree that perhaps the singular most likely able exam to be taken "cold" could be A&I Lit. But again, one would be best served (and prepared) to be somewhat-versed in the general concepts and ability to read into the passages to extract the answer.

I would also add the Humanities exam too if one were moderately-versed in the general type of useless (what am I ever going to use this) knowledge required to get through the double-jeopardy round.

To me, taking any exam "cold" (other than for curiosity) is a risky gamble. The downside of failure is not only the loss of any earned credit but a loss of $$$ and also time.

I would rather prefer getting "warmed up" by a little focused study (code for cramming) just to take the chill off of going into an exam "cold" or worse - frozen out of any credits and some cold cash.

Good Luck!!

[Shadowless]

Well I agree with you in terms of paying the money, but I am one of the lucky ones who serve in the miliary so the tests are free, so for me it's only a matter of time. For me I want to pass as many of these tests as possible in the shortest time. I am currently studying Law Enforcement and Intro Crime... so I can take those at the same time and hopefully earn 6 free credits.

I also took Tech Writing, and Intro to Computing cold and passed, barely passed but passed. But then again I also took MIS and failed miserably.

[gcalvin]

I took CLEP Introductory Sociology after taking just the Official Study Guide practice exam, and scored a 72. Still, what is easy for one person may not be easy for somebody else -- it all depends on the knowledge you have picked up out in the world.

[pmj]

While testing is free while you're in the military, you still have to wait six months to retake an exam you've failed - that would be my only caution.

I took History of the US II (kind of a hobby of mine, yet still studied) one morning; testing center administrator offered to schedule any other exams, so I did American Government (prep'd my wife for naturalization a month earlier) and Information Systems (the day job) that same morning. Passed all three - 56, 62, and 69.

Anything over 51 and you're just showing off, right? (except Level II foreign languages)

[larry7crys]

Since I have followed the advice of many and failed both the English Comp with Essay and A/I Lit, the easiest exam to take cold was World Religions. I've noticed you took that one but no real studying required for that one to pass.

[knucyt]

I took English Comp and Information Systems and Computer Applications cold on the same day and passed both. English Comp 59 and Info Sys 72. That said, I agree entirely that taking exams cold depends on your existing knowledge base - I do not recommend taking exams cold - it is too nerve racking!

FSB

[gcalvin]

At least take the practice exam in the CLEP Official Guide. If you do okay with that (>60% or so) then go ahead and take the exam. You'll probably find several exams you can take that way without any additional preparation.

[bceagles]

DSST FUNDAMENTALS OF COUNSELING was an exam that I had no background with and passed cold. FYI.