Principals of Statistics DSST/CLEP

[agbisitcv]

Has anyone taken this?

I recently got a one month trial from instantcert. More specifically I'll be taking Principals of Statistics through DSST on base, which I believe is web-based. Is this all multiple choice? Or do you actually have to work out some problems and fill in the blank.

Any information regarding this exam would be appreciated, thank you!

[Chuckers]

The test is all multiple choice. Look at the specific feedback section on this one, but you will find that a good calculator (I used a TI-36X) will help you a lot because of finding standard deviations is much quicker. I don't know what base you are at, but I took it in norfolk about 6 weeks ago. It wasn't as bad as I thought. I studied Statistics Workbook for Dummies, Instantcert, and learner.org for about 2 weeks. Good luck.

Chuck

[agbisitcv]

Originally Posted by Chuckers

The test is all multiple choice. Look at the specific feedback section on this one, but you will find that a good calculator (I used a TI-36X) will help you a lot because of finding standard deviations is much quicker. I don't know what base you are at, but I took it in norfolk about 6 weeks ago. It wasn't as bad as I thought. I studied Statistics Workbook for Dummies, Instantcert, and learner.org for about 2 weeks. Good luck.

Chuck

Ill take it at little creek or NOB. so you need your own calculator? are the questions the same as the instantcert study guide?

[Chuckers]

While it is possible to take the test without a calculator, I wouldn't recommend it. Time will probably be a factor on this test. The questions are pretty similar to the ones on IC. There was a fair amount of probability questions, correlation, standard deviation, t-score. It isn't an easy test, and there is quite a bit to work out on paper/calculator, but it is multiple choice.

[fmays@troy.edu]

Hey, I just got back from taking the stats dsst. Scored a 65 with about a month of studying IC and the dummies workbook. (I'm horrible at math). First off, don't just use IC as your only resource. I'd recommend getting the idiots guide OR stats for dummies (the workbook). You absolutely will not understand null hypothesis without one of these two books, and trust me, you need to know it for this exam. At least 15 questions about null hypothesis alone on the test I took. Probabilities wasn't a big deal. The section under college math will definatelly be enough to prepare you for all the probability questions. Confidence intervals wasn't that prevalent in my test, but i've heard it was for others. Maybe 8-10 questions about it, but they were all relatively simple. Correlation and line regression were big on my test. Understand how to read scatterplots and how regressions and correlation play into them. Also, look up stem and leaf plots and box plots and understand how both work. 4 or 5 questions just on those two things which IC doesn't even mention. Chi square had a couple of questions, but wasn't too diffiucult. Even after a month of studying, I wanted to walk out of the test after the first 5 questions. The next 65 weren't bad, then they got tough again around the end for me. ALOT of easy questions, mixed in with a couple hard questions. All in all, a doable exam. On another note, definately get yourself a business calculator. I used the BAII plus, and it did ALL the calculations for me. Besides that, good luck!

[larry7crys]

I would say, study instantcert first, get the guide, buy the calculator and work out a few problems from the workbook. This exam is doable but you need to put every effort to learn the material and pass.

[agbisitcv]

Wow, everyone gave some really good input, the best I had from any other forum

I will definately study IC and get a stats for dummies, not sure if i'll get a business calculator, maybe if I ask around for one.

I'll take this exam the last week of FEB, so wish me LUCK!

One last thing, are the questions mostly math problems? or do they have a lot of definitions like on IC?

[mike@kwyk.net]

I studied a Cliff Notes book for a few days and passed without a calculator, but some say that I'm a freak

BTW probably unrelated, I also passed DSST Principles of Finance without a calculator, which was a large pain in the posterior as they ask quite a few amortization, present value and future value questions.

[barcotta]

You can also find some good info from other folks who have taken the exam here http://www.instantcertonline.com/for...tics-dsst.html

Originally Posted by agbisitcv

Wow, everyone gave some really good input, the best I had from any other forum

I will definately study IC and get a stats for dummies, not sure if i'll get a business calculator, maybe if I ask around for one.

I'll take this exam the last week of FEB, so wish me LUCK!

One last thing, are the questions mostly math problems? or do they have a lot of definitions like on IC?

[larry7crys]

Originally Posted by agbisitcv

Wow, everyone gave some really good input, the best I had from any other forum

I will definately study IC and get a stats for dummies, not sure if i'll get a business calculator, maybe if I ask around for one.

I'll take this exam the last week of FEB, so wish me LUCK!

One last thing, are the questions mostly math problems? or do they have a lot of definitions like on IC?

Get the calculator, it will help tremendously! The majority are math based while there are a few definitions like 3 ?s. Good luck!