DSST Civil War practice test?

[cinderly]

I'm trying to gauge my readiness to test tomorrow and having trouble finding the tools to do so. I see that Prometric doesn't offer a practice test and have only found a few web quizzes so far.

Anyone have any recommendations for gauging whether I'm test-ready? ( I couldn't find anything in the Specific Exam thread, either.)

I'm currently leaning toward rescheduling (next available test is 1/8), since I can't determine how heavily dates are tested (always a weak point for me.) Will I need to know the precise dates of major battles or is month & year sufficient?

Thanks in advance -- this is my first UL test, so I'm more nervous than usual.

[gcalvin]

Hi cinderly,

I just took it on Saturday and scored an A (68, I think). If you are really solid with the InstantCert flashcards, you should be okay. How is your general knowledge about the topic? Have you seen the Ken Burns film?

[cinderly]

Hey, gcalvin.

I've got a little background, but I'm no Civil War buff. More a dilettante - been to Gettysburg, skipped Vicksburg. (Gettysburg is amazing, BTW. Highly recommended. Get the audiotour if you go.)

I'm between 85 - 90% on the flashcards when randomized. I'm comfortable on the philosophical side of things, but it's the "hard facts," especially dates that are tripping me. I'm around 80% on the succession of Union generals and know roughly the order of the major battles.

I've got one disc left of the Ken Burns' series (hoping to watch tonight).

I'm just really worried about questions like:

The Battle of Shiloh began on:

A) April 1, 1862
B) April 6, 1862
C) April 16, 1862
D) May 6, 1862

Because those will sink me. I can remember April 1862 or even early April 1862, but ask me to pick between dates that similar? ACK!!

[gcalvin]

Originally Posted by cinderly

I'm just really worried about questions like:

The Battle of Shiloh began on:

A) April 1, 1862
B) April 6, 1862
C) April 16, 1862
D) May 6, 1862

There won't be any questions like that. The exam is comprehensive, but it is straightforward, and there isn't any trickery. Make sure you know the characters, their roles and their motivations (you know there were two General Johnstons in the Confederacy, right?), and with what you've already described, I think you're heading for an A.

[tvelasquez]

I recently took the Civil War exam and passed. I found for any exam especially an upper level exam is to wait to take the exam until you feel comfortable with the subject. My question would be what’s the hurry? Will it hurt to take it 1/8/08? That way it will give you more time to prepare and feel more comfortable with the timeline and dates (I was not asked much on dates during the exam, but more on timeline)

Do you have the SparkNotes books Civil War and Reconstruction (here the link to a free online version)? I felt they were invaluable, they also have a quiz & review. I picked up a hard copy of each from B&N. I would say take the extra time study and pass the test!

[cinderly]

Originally Posted by tvelasquez

My question would be what’s the hurry? Will it hurt to take it 1/8/08? That way it will give you more time to prepare and feel more comfortable with the timeline and dates (I was not asked much on dates during the exam, but more on timeline)

I'm thinking hard about rescheduling. I have until 9 am tomorrow to decide. Here's why I go back and forth and why I was looking for some sort of an objective gauge.

I've studied for this exam for a month -- I'm not trying to rush things, but I also don't want to fall back into my pattern of taking 1 exam every 6 months. I can drag preparation out for a very long time if I let myself and have a tendency to over-prepare. Also, I mistyped earlier. I'm between 90 - 97% on the flashcards when randomized.

For this exam, I've used the Sparknotes Civil War book, Civil War for Dummies, 2 audiobooks, 3 DVD series, InstantCert & the forums, and 2 podcasts.

I think I'm probably freaking out over nothing, but at the same time I'd rather wait three weeks than six months. (And have no problem waiting if I need the time.) Without a practice test as a gauge, I'm floundering a bit on the "readiness scale."

Just trying to find the line between "acquire all possible knowledge" and "reasonable preparation."

[tvelasquez]

90-97% on Instantcert, Sparknotes and Ken Burns, then it sounds like you’re ready! Good Luck. I'm sure you will do well!

[Southpaw]

I used instantcert, ken burns dvds, sparksnotes, and read a book called "Don't know much about the civil war?" It was my very first test so I over did it. Unfortunately I had schedule conflicts and didn't take it until over 3 weeks after I had finished studying for it, and had started studying for my next test, abnormal psych. I breezed through the test in 35 min and scored a 65. I think if I would have taken it right when I was finished studying my score would have been higher.

As far as your concern about specific dates I wouldn't worry about that, I don't remember any questions like that. Good Luck!