Question re: using IStudySmart for ECE exams

[Braylen]

I only need help with two more DSST exams and no CLEPs, but have a handful of ECE exams to do still. I'm considering using IStudySmart, but was curious about the experiences others here have had. I'm currently working though Abnormal Psych, but without having taken a test, don't have a sense of how good of a prep this is or will be.

I'm not interested in just passing the exams, but in maintaining my GPA as I want to work on my Masters. I know it's not really a big deal, but it's a matter of pride, and all things being equal, who knows if it might not matter to some school.

Anyone have any insight or perspective on this? Also, any other good references for ECE exams - as clear as I can tell, InstaCert only has one ECE test listed.

Thanks in advance.

[cederic824]

I used istudysmart for prep on ECE History of Nazi Germany. Excelsior was a couple of months away from discontinuing the exam, and Istudysmart was having a sale on the "study package" so I bought it. I felt I needed some good prep, because this test was in multiple extended essay format, and the last time I wrote an essay for a test was in the late 80's.

For $99 bucks (I don't know what it was normally, maybe $150?) I got two textbooks and a workbook that had definitions, and about 500 objectives to look up. Every thing flowed with the ECE exam content guide (which I think is vague in giving directed study). Also, the workbook listed which page number in each book the answer could be found, so it made the work of filling it all in a little easier. Overall, I am happy with the product, and I think I got a good deal on it. But for what the are asking for the other packages for ECE, Dantes and Clep multiple guess exams, I think they are a little overpriced.

[Braylen]

How did you end up doing on the exam? How long did it take you to prepare (days, weeks, months)?

I'm about 1/5 of the way through Abnormal Psych now, and while I think it's an effective way to work through it, I want to make sure I don't have to double up on everything to get through it. Also, at least with this course, they don't use the same book that EC recommends (which almost scared me off).

Another concern - and maybe I'm just missing it - is that I'd like to see the answers that *they* have for the questions. I realized after reading something elsewhere the other day that I had completely missed the point of one of the questions but might not have realized it otherwise (my answer was far more general than intended). I think they do that so you won't just learn their questions/answers - which is smart. But it would be nice to get a sense of validation.

Thanks for the reply and insight.

[cederic824]

I have not got the results back yet, but the study package was a good teaching tool. It took me about a month to prepare. Completing that workbook was no small feat, very labor intensive.

Only one of the books they sent me was on the Recommended Resource list. I actually preferred the other book they sent me that was not on the list. Anytime I buy study resources I jump over to Amazon to read the review on that particular product.
I also obtained an old copy of the "Excelsior book of readings" that is recommended, but didn't really use it and could have lived without it.

Because of the large number of objectives, I found myself rushing through some of them. I really had to force myself to slow down and make sure I had good answers. And you are right, an answer key would have been nice.

I might use them again for some obscure upper level exam that I now nothing about. However, I can't see spending $200 on a study package for, let say, Intro to computers or intro to sociology, when there are so many other effective and cheaper methods available.

[beckysharp]

Originally Posted by Braylen

I only need help with two more DSST exams and no CLEPs, but have a handful of ECE exams to do still. I'm considering using IStudySmart, but was curious about the experiences others here have had. I'm currently working though Abnormal Psych, but without having taken a test, don't have a sense of how good of a prep this is or will be.

I'm not interested in just passing the exams, but in maintaining my GPA as I want to work on my Masters. I know it's not really a big deal, but it's a matter of pride, and all things being equal, who knows if it might not matter to some school.

Anyone have any insight or perspective on this? Also, any other good references for ECE exams - as clear as I can tell, InstaCert only has one ECE test listed.

Thanks in advance.

Have you done a search on this site for Abnormal Psychology? I posted a thread with links to all the practice questions you'll need and insight into the exam.

[Braylen]

Originally Posted by beckysharp

Have you done a search on this site for Abnormal Psychology? I posted a thread with links to all the practice questions you'll need and insight into the exam.

Thanks - I did see your post, and you can be sure I'll be going back to it once I've worked through the material more. This one is particularly tedious to me as I have a passing familiarity with much of the material, but certainly not enough to pass yet (or at least not with an A!). I find reading new material a lot easier than stuff I'm already familiar with - it's too easy to want to skim ahead, and then miss key things.

Thanks again!