CLEP Macroeconomics

[snazzlefrag]

SirJake and Ray,

SirJake, yes...the 2006 Credit by Examination catalog lists 61 for an 'A' in Macroeconomics, and 60 for an 'A' in Microeconomics. Both exams require a 50 for a 'C' and a 54 for a 'B'.

Ray, you might want to double-check the information your advisor gave you. It doesn't seem correct according to Excelsior's own literature.

Either way, Kiwi got a 63 and that is an 'A' for sure.

[carlosamador]

How do you find out how your scores translate? I have been taking several exams which I have passed but only used the flash cards (it was enough to pass) but I want to get higher scores and I am reading up for taking my macro test probably late June I am going to test out of as many courses as I can and then enroll in excelsior. I love this forum as there is so much great information here. Thanks everyone for all the information.

Carlos

[snazzlefrag]

Originally Posted by carlosamador

How do you find out how your scores translate? I have been taking several exams which I have passed but only used the flash cards (it was enough to pass) but I want to get higher scores and I am reading up for taking my macro test probably late June I am going to test out of as many courses as I can and then enroll in excelsior. I love this forum as there is so much great information here. Thanks everyone for all the information.

Carlos

Hi Carlos,

Welcome to the group!

Go to this page to find a listing of cut scores and grade-equivalents:

https://www.excelsior.edu/portal/pag..._schema=PORTAL

[Back2School]

Just a few thoughts. In the past month I've taken both Micro and Macro. Passed Macro with a 76 and Micro with a 69. IMO the micro was significantly harder. Going in I felt much more comfortable on the micro and was doing very well on Peterson's, instantcert, and the Thomas / Wadsworth practice tests. Yet the questions on the micro appear to be intentionally tougher and very few questions where you can throw away more than one or two answers.

I'd also comment that in general I'm suggesting that we make a decision to stop recommening ONLY to use Instantcert for ANY CLEP test. This not because of how I value Instantcert.

InstantCert is very good, but we must remember this is an open community and employers (I'm one myself) and other peers will read our comments. The reason we are getting degrees is to advance our careers, earn respect, or to demonstrate our knowledge in these subjects. I'm concerned that we will be harming our own success if we preach that these tests are 'easy' and that by studying a set of flash cards from one source we can get credit for a particular subject. I'm not saying we need to go overboard; I'm just recommending that we not forget that the goal here is not just to pass a test, but to have something of value (a respected degree) in the end. What good will it be to have passed these tests and earned a degree if five years down the road many consider it 'Bush league'.

Getting a 76 on my Macro and 69 on the Micro was not easy... but I really felt like I learned something. I took Peterson's tests, I studied the links I posted earlier in the thread, I read quite a bit of Paul Sameulson's text book. At the same time I probably only have about 30-35 hours total in study for both those exams. Not bad for getting out of a years worth of economics classes.

I don't mean to sound 'preachy' here. I'm just suggesting that we step back and look at the big picture. Even if someone only wants 'the piece of paper', the least they want is a piece of paper that is respected and valued in the community. We can serve ourselves best IMO by taking balanced approaches to these exams and not just looking to 'pass' but actually learn the material. Or at least that is the way I think we should try and portray it to the community.

Good luck to all.

[snazzlefrag]

Hi Back2School,

It's important to remember that this is NOT primarily a community of future employers, this is a community of students.

I've been to a bricks and mortar school. I have witnessed the discussions that occur before the start of each new semester. The discussions are very similar to what goes on here:

- How to fulfill requirements for a particular major.
- Which courses are easier than others.
- Which professors are better than others.
- Tips and tricks for doing better in a particular course.
- Things to watch out for with certain professors.
Etc.

The same is true here!

I think ANYONE reading this message board will find ample posts talking about how hard a particular exam is, how much work is required, how somebody just failed an exam, what to study BEYOND Instantcert.

Naturally, there are also posts discussing which exams are considered "easier" than others. That's the nature of this board...and it's also the nature of discussion between students in bricks and mortar schools.

I think the honest and forthright advice, opinion, and information reflected on this board is much needed. If we begin to water it down by being dishonest, then the usefulness of this board will be compromised.

Woe betide ANY future employer, or member of the community who tries to question the level of commitment, effort, focus, motivation, and ability required to earn a degree via this method. Boy, have I got a story to tell them. I don't need to gloss over the truth to make myself feel as though I had to EARN my degree....the truth is, I already KNOW how much work is involved, and I will NEVER be embarrassed or ashamed to set a 'doubter' straight if the occasion warrants it.

Are some exams easier than others? Yes, absolutely.
Are some exams harder than others? Yes, absolutely.

It's exactly the same in bricks and mortar schools. Some courses are famously easier than others. Knowing which is which is called "wisdom".

So while I agree that it may be necessary to know how to frame the process for the community out there who may not fully understand, I also think that THIS BOARD is a place where we need to be absolutely honest with each other.

I don't think anybody here should be afraid to admit that we failed an exam, or that we had problems passing an exam, or that Instantcert was not enough to prepare adequately. Similarly, I don't think we should be afraid to admit that we aced an exam, or that we had no problems passing an exam, or that Instantcert was enough to prepare adequately.

If we start being less than honest with each other, the cost in terms of the value of this board will be very dear!

I think the responsibility to frame the debate with a future employer lies with EACH of us individually....when the situation calls for it.

But this board is not the right place to prepare any kind of 'defense of the process' for some person who may or may not read the messages at some future point in time.

I equate this message board to a bunch of classmates sitting in our pajamas and eating pizza back at the dorm room late at night. Each of us discussing our progress; our latest acheivements, and our silly mistakes; what worked well, and what didn't; which courses we would recommend, and which courses we wouldn't; which professors to watch out for.

We're here to help each other, not to defend ourselves against doubters and detractors. I will take care of my own doubters and detractors when the time comes...and you should be prepared to do the same.

But right here, right now...we need to be completely honest and upfront with each other. You guys are pretty much all I've got to walk with me along this path. You're the nearest thing to classmates that I have. If I can't trust you to tell me the truth about your own experiences with any given exam, then this journey will become much more complicated, and much less enjoyable.

If you think Instantcert is enough to pass an exam, I expect you to tell me. If you think it isn't enough, I also expect you to tell me...and I will do the same for you.

That's the way this board works, and it is the way this board NEEDS to work.

I don't think you are being "preachy". It is good to discuss things like this amongst ourselves...and that is exactly WHY we need to be able to be absolutely honest and forthright with each other. Without truthfulness and openness between us, this board will self-destruct!

I hope you accept my response in the spirit with which it was written.


I'm sure others will chime in with their own points of view on this very important issue.

Best of luck to you,
Snazzlefrag

[ShotoJuku]

Before the forums page went up a few months ago, I was virtually alone in my studies. I had no other guidance, assistance in getting help and or suggestions and more importantly I had no other source of fellow student support.

Consider the forums as a virtual classroom that gives all of the aforementioned and more. I find the forums as a source of both giving and receiving inspiration to and from fellow students who are after the same goal - a degree!!

See you in class.......

[Kiwi Lover]

Well said, Snazz! This forum has been a BIG help to me, and I enjoy the camaradarie I see here.

And I also know that after studying for hours for my recent Macroeconomics test, I truly did feel that I had gained a semester's worth of "knowledge". So there is definitely something to be said about learning the class on your own and then "taking the final exam" (ie CLEP or DSST) for it.

Keep up the good work everyone!

[yutzyj]

Originally Posted by snazzlefrag

I equate this message board to a bunch of classmates sitting in our pajamas and eating pizza back at the dorm room late at night. Each of us discussing our progress; our latest acheivements, and our silly mistakes; what worked well, and what didn't; which courses we would recommend, and which courses we wouldn't; which professors to watch out for.

Pepperoni pizza is always popular!

IMO, and this is not groupthink speaking, i feel lucky to have this board. i was fortunate enough to have joined instantcert a month after this board came into existence. for me, instantcert has been invaluable and so has this board. i can't imagine how much harder this journey would be without the support, wisdom, understanding, and help that i have received here, not to mention the camaraderie. i want to hear 'the way it is' for a test. just as in school, we would hear the same thing. when i read the posts i know i am getting honest feedback, which helps me to plan my course of action. or if i have a question, someone is always there to help me. they take valuable time out of their day to give me honest feedback.

no one will be giving me my degree, I AM EARNING EVERY CREDIT. are some courses easier than others, sure, just as some are SO much harder than others, just like in a b & m school. i see distance learning as a wave of the future, more and more people will be using this in some part of their learning process. sometimes, people don't understand what i am doing and wonder about it, but as time goes on, i think that will happen less and less. in my own small way, i'm helping to blaze a path here, and maybe make someone else's journey a little easier.

[Librevore]

[quote=Back2School] I'm just recommending that we not forget that the goal here is not just to pass a test, but to have something of value (a respected degree) in the end. What good will it be to have passed these tests and earned a degree if five years down the road many consider it 'Bush league'.

QUOTE]

Hello everyone,

I would like to offer some possible reassurance and encouragement to back2school and others who might share some of the same concerns. For background, I manage a mid-size bookstore and am located about 5 blocks from a well-respected college. This means that whenever I have an opening a fair amount of the applicant pool are either current or recently graduated students.

In years past, I rarely needed to consider whether or not these applicants had basic literacy skills, ie. average high school level reading and spelling ability along with arithmetic skills. I now test for these things as part of the interview process. It is my experience that it is very possible for today's students to obtain a degree simply by having good attendance, turning in their assignments and passing a final which was only 10% to 50% of their grade. It is not necessarily a reflection of their competency.

If an applicant had earned their degree the way so many on this board are doing I would know several important facts about that person that actually would lean in their favor. These students must have a competent level of computer and English skills. They are motivated individuals who are capable of setting a high goal and then acheiving it often with the handicaps of carrying family, career, financial and time demands at the same time. I also know that since they are risking their entire grade on one "final" and without the benefit of an instructer to tell them what to study for it I know that they have studied very hard. Just like you did to pass the tests you mentioned.

So yes, there may be some employers who will not consider a degree earned this way to be "Bush league." But put your mind at ease, there will be plenty who will see the true worth and value.

Kate

[snazzlefrag]

Originally Posted by Librevore

Hello everyone,

I would like to offer some possible reassurance and encouragement to back2school and others who might share some of the same concerns. For background, I manage a mid-size bookstore and am located about 5 blocks from a well-respected college. This means that whenever I have an opening a fair amount of the applicant pool are either current or recently graduated students.

In years past, I rarely needed to consider whether or not these applicants had basic literacy skills, ie. average high school level reading and spelling ability along with arithmetic skills. I now test for these things as part of the interview process. It is my experience that it is very possible for today's students to obtain a degree simply by having good attendance, turning in their assignments and passing a final which was only 10% to 50% of their grade. It is not necessarily a reflection of their competency.

If an applicant had earned their degree the way so many on this board are doing I would know several important facts about that person that actually would lean in their favor. These students must have a competent level of computer and English skills. They are motivated individuals who are capable of setting a high goal and then acheiving it often with the handicaps of carrying family, career, financial and time demands at the same time. I also know that since they are risking their entire grade on one "final" and without the benefit of an instructer to tell them what to study for it I know that they have studied very hard. Just like you did to pass the tests you mentioned.

So yes, there may be some employers who will not consider a degree earned this way to be "Bush league." But put your mind at ease, there will be plenty who will see the true worth and value.

Kate

A very interesting first post Kate,

Welcome to the board!