Took Analyzing & Int Lit Today

[Basket Weaver]

Not too much to be said that already hasn't been. The key to this test (besides taking the practice tests and studying the literature terms) is to read passages once, quickly, and carefully. At first, I found myself re-reading passages and remembered the warnings here about doing just that. I quickly changed my strategy and glanced through the questions/answers first, read the material (the answers usually jump out at you) then answered the questions. This way, I was able to end with 10 minutes to spare. There were two poems that I had great trouble understanding what planet they were from, much less what they were talking about (not a big fan of this crap). The rest were written so you could at least understand the subject matter and get the just of the story's intent. All in all, not a bad test and I would have to say a pass. Still nothing on the other 5 tests I've taken, but word on the street is the base received a bunch in; hopefully I should know something soon. I spent an entire 6 hours preparing for this test using Peterson's practice CLEPS

http://www.petersons.com/testprep/code/prompt.asp?sponsor=8&referer_type=EG&test_id=107 (CODE FL5518)

and Collegeboard's website's practice test (50 questions). Not needed if you do all 3 of the Peterson's tests.

Next on the block is World Population next Thursday. I'll start filling in my scores
once the results come in. Lee

[Kiwi Lover]

Originally Posted by Basket Weaver

Not too much to be said that already hasn't been. The key to this test (besides taking the practice tests and studying the literature terms) is to read passages once, quickly, and carefully. At first, I found myself re-reading passages and remembered the warnings here about doing just that. I quickly changed my strategy and glanced through the questions/answers first, read the material (the answers usually jump out at you) then answered the questions. This way, I was able to end with 10 minutes to spare. There were two poems that I had great trouble understanding what planet they were from, much less what they were talking about (not a big fan of this crap). The rest were written so you could at least understand the subject matter and get the just of the story's intent. All in all, not a bad test and I would have to say a pass. Still nothing on the other 5 tests I've taken, but word on the street is the base received a bunch in; hopefully I should know something soon. I spent an entire 6 hours preparing for this test using Peterson's practice CLEPS

http://www.petersons.com/testprep/code/prompt.asp?sponsor=8&referer_type=EG&test_id=107 (CODE FL5518)

and Collegeboard's website's practice test (50 questions). Not needed if you do all 3 of the Peterson's tests.

Next on the block is World Population next Thursday. I'll start filling in my scores
once the results come in. Lee

Hi Lee,

Thanks for the excellent feedback on A&I Lit. I'm taking that test next week (on the 11th) and just today I did the 50 sample questions out of the CLEP book. I read the first poem and five questions and thought "Say WHAT??!!!" And I thought this was supposed to be easy! But then as I worked my way through the other poems and questions, I realized they're not ALL that bad, thank God! I will have to heed the advice here on the board and skip the ones I don't easily "get" right away and go back to them later if I have time. From what you said, it sounds like there might only be two like that anyway.

Good luck on our World Population test next week! Let us know how it goes.

Take care,
JoAnne

[ShotoJuku]

Sounds like you did well, I just wish you had CBT instant grade gratification!

[Librevore]

Originally Posted by Basket Weaver

Not too much to be said that already hasn't been. The key to this test (besides taking the practice tests and studying the literature terms) is to read passages once, quickly, and carefully. At first, I found myself re-reading passages and remembered the warnings here about doing just that. I quickly changed my strategy and glanced through the questions/answers first, read the material (the answers usually jump out at you) then answered the questions. This way, I was able to end with 10 minutes to spare... Lee

Fantastic Lee. I am taking this one tomorrow and appreciate the feedback. When I read through the other threads on this I somehow missed the tip to read through the answers first so I'm really glad you mentioned that. Thanks!

Good luck on your World Population exam.
Librevore

[snazzlefrag]

Originally Posted by Librevore

Fantastic Lee. I am taking this one tomorrow and appreciate the feedback. When I read through the other threads on this I somehow missed the tip to read through the answers first so I'm really glad you mentioned that. Thanks!

Good luck on your World Population exam.
Librevore

Kate,

The temptation is to spend too much of your valuable time reading and then re-reading the entire passage, in an attempt to ensure that you fully understand every dot and tittle before you move on to the actual questions.

Some of the passages are very long, and not every single line or word will need to be analyzed in order to answer the associated questions.

Therefore, it might be advisable to scan the questions really quickly (noting key words and phrases mentioned), then carefully read through the passage ONCE from start to finish, to get the overall context. Later, as you work on each individual question, you can refer back to one specific section, to analyze the meaning of the word, phrase, or sentence they are alluding to in the question.

This strategy certainly worked for me, and Lee too (hopefully). It's a compromise between not reading the passage at all (very bad), and spending too much time reading the passage (also very bad).

The alternative strategies would be to:

A) Not read the passage at all, and just concentrate on the sections specified by the questions. The downside to this is that you might never actually grasp the "big picture" of the passage. This could cost you dearly since many of the questions will require an understanding of the context.

B) Read through the passage multiple times until you are certain that you fully understand all the imagery and concepts raised within. Then move on to the questions and answer them without having to refer back to the passage. The downside to this is that you will waste a lot of time interpreting and analyzing portions of the text that may not even be covered in the questions that follow. Also, you will still likely need to keep referring back to the passage anyway.

If you have already developed a strategy that works, stick with it. If not, this strategy may prove helpful to you once the clock starts ticking.


Best of luck,
Snazzlefrag

[Librevore]

Originally Posted by snazzlefrag

Kate,

The temptation is to spend too much of your valuable time reading and then re-reading the entire passage, in an attempt to ensure that you fully understand every dot and tittle before you move on to the actual questions.

Some of the passages are very long, and not every single line or word will need to be analyzed in order to answer the associated questions.

Therefore, it might be advisable to scan the questions really quickly (noting key words and phrases mentioned), then carefully read through the passage ONCE from start to finish, to get the overall context. Later, as you work on each individual question, you can refer back to one specific section, to analyze the meaning of the word, phrase, or sentence they are alluding to in the question.

This strategy certainly worked for me, and Lee too (hopefully). It's a compromise between not reading the passage at all (very bad), and spending too much time reading the passage (also very bad)...

If you have already developed a strategy that works, stick with it. If not, this strategy may prove helpful to you once the clock starts ticking.


Best of luck,
Snazzlefrag

The time element is definately the biggest concern. My comprehension is good but I've been real unsure that I will be able to answer enough questions in the time alloted let alone answer them correctly. The strategy that you and Lee have layed out looks excellent. Much better than the vague "try real hard to go fast" strategy that didn't serve me very well on the practice test!

As always-thank you for all the time you invest in helping all of us,
Librevore

[Librevore]

Thanks guys! I finished this exam with time to spare. Can't really add anything to what has been previously posted. Follow the above strategies and review/learn the literary terms and it will probably go well.

Librevore

[Criticalthinker]

Originally Posted by Librevore

Thanks guys! I finished this exam with time to spare. Can't really add anything to what has been previously posted. Follow the above strategies and review/learn the literary terms and it will probably go well.

Librevore

WOWSERS! 9 credits in one day, way to rake 'em in! Great job!

Time to celebrate a bit tonight, I think!

CT

[yutzyj]

Originally Posted by Librevore

Thanks guys! I finished this exam with time to spare. Can't really add anything to what has been previously posted. Follow the above strategies and review/learn the literary terms and it will probably go well.

Librevore

great job getting 9 credits in one day. you have some real momentum going!

[ShotoJuku]

Originally Posted by Librevore

Thanks guys! I finished this exam with time to spare. Can't really add anything to what has been previously posted. Follow the above strategies and review/learn the literary terms and it will probably go well.

Librevore

Better to finish with time to spare than no time at all - good job!