What makes InstantCert Academy so great?
To put it bluntly, InstantCert cuts though all the fat and gives you the meat of what you need to know to successfully pass the credit-by-examination exams (CLEP, DSST, ECE, TECEP, etc.). Over 3,000 US colleges and universities accept credit-by-examination in one form or another. They've made it as simple as possible.
To put it bluntly, InstantCert cuts though all the fat and gives you the meat of what you need to know to successfully pass the credit-by-examination exams (CLEP, DSST, ECE, TECEP, etc.). Over 3,000 US colleges and universities accept credit-by-examination in one form or another. They've made it as simple as possible.
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homepage
Degree Plans
- Introduction
- Is distance learning
for me?
- What colleges qualify?
- accreditation and diploma mills
- BS in 6 months roadmap
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6
- BS checklist
- proof of studies
Study Guides
- CLEP booklist
- DSST Dantes booklist
Final Words
About Us
- news
- special thanks
- privacy policy
- disclaimer
[new] links
- link to us
contact us
- faq
- message board
- biz opportunities
Site Map
Degree Plans
- Introduction
- Is distance learning
for me?
- What colleges qualify?
- accreditation and diploma mills
- BS in 6 months roadmap
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6
- BS checklist
- proof of studies
Study Guides
- CLEP booklist
- DSST Dantes booklist
Final Words
About Us
- news
- special thanks
- privacy policy
- disclaimer
[new] links
- link to us
contact us
- faq
- message board
- biz opportunities
Site Map
Copyright 2004-2005 123collegedegree.com and
Joshua A. Graham
Joshua A. Graham
Final words of encouragement from the author > >
- Review the BS roadmap here > >
[update January 17, 2005]
- Master booklist and study guides for all exams now available > >
- Review the BS roadmap here > >
[update January 17, 2005]
- Master booklist and study guides for all exams now available > >
What are my different options to study for the exams?
1) Not study at all. Some people may feel they already know all that is necessary for the exam and therefore do not study at all. This is usually not recommended unless you really feel that you are pretty knowledgable in the exam subject area. For example, people who speak spanish fluently should be able to ace the CLEP Spanish exam.
2) You can buy related textbooks. This is usually the preferred way to study for the exams. The textbook is what you would normally use in a classroom setting. However, this requires a lot of additional costs to find the correct textbook to study for. Then you would have to take the time to go through each textbook and figure out what parts would be most relevant to the exam. I created a booklist that is a compiled reference list of recommended textbooks that would offer you the most in passing the exams.
3) You can get study guides or "cliff notes". This is what everybody wants: the quick and easy way to study the main points of what will be covered on the test. But a similar problem still arises: which ones are best for each exam? There are literally 1000's of them on the market. Some are really good, and some are not so good. You can go through the trial and error process like I did, or you can use the materials recommended below or in the degree plan.
1) Not study at all. Some people may feel they already know all that is necessary for the exam and therefore do not study at all. This is usually not recommended unless you really feel that you are pretty knowledgable in the exam subject area. For example, people who speak spanish fluently should be able to ace the CLEP Spanish exam.
2) You can buy related textbooks. This is usually the preferred way to study for the exams. The textbook is what you would normally use in a classroom setting. However, this requires a lot of additional costs to find the correct textbook to study for. Then you would have to take the time to go through each textbook and figure out what parts would be most relevant to the exam. I created a booklist that is a compiled reference list of recommended textbooks that would offer you the most in passing the exams.
3) You can get study guides or "cliff notes". This is what everybody wants: the quick and easy way to study the main points of what will be covered on the test. But a similar problem still arises: which ones are best for each exam? There are literally 1000's of them on the market. Some are really good, and some are not so good. You can go through the trial and error process like I did, or you can use the materials recommended below or in the degree plan.
Take it from someone that's been down your path of trying to earn a baccalaureate degree while working full time: You need all the help you can get. And InstantCert does just that. It helps you tremenendously when it comes to quick preparation for the CLEP, DSST, ECE, etc.
If you are at this page, you've probably already been though my BS Roadmap and are already sold on the benefits of InstantCert University Go directly to the order page here: InstantCert Order Page.
For those that still need more information, go to InstantCert University's credit by examination page for more info.
For those that don't know what the roadmap is, click here to get started.
If you are at this page, you've probably already been though my BS Roadmap and are already sold on the benefits of InstantCert University Go directly to the order page here: InstantCert Order Page.
For those that still need more information, go to InstantCert University's credit by examination page for more info.
For those that don't know what the roadmap is, click here to get started.
Could I still pass the CLEP, DSST, ECE, etc. with out an instantcert/iStudySmart membership?
Yes, you could. But can you afford $100+ for EACH recommended textbook? Do you have time to spend months diving into a completely unfamiliar topic? Only to be studying the wrong information? Probably not.
Yes, you could. But can you afford $100+ for EACH recommended textbook? Do you have time to spend months diving into a completely unfamiliar topic? Only to be studying the wrong information? Probably not.
How should I study using Instantcert?
Everything is online, so you can access the study material from anywhere you can access the internet. There is no one right way to study. Some people study while listening to their favorite CD. Others must have complete silence. The main thing to remember is that this is college-level material. Take it seriously. I bought legal pads and took notes just like it were a physical textbook.
When you understand and can recogize most of the concepts presented in the study guide, you are ready to take the real exam. Do not randomize the questions (you'll understand this when you login to instantcert).
Everything is online, so you can access the study material from anywhere you can access the internet. There is no one right way to study. Some people study while listening to their favorite CD. Others must have complete silence. The main thing to remember is that this is college-level material. Take it seriously. I bought legal pads and took notes just like it were a physical textbook.
When you understand and can recogize most of the concepts presented in the study guide, you are ready to take the real exam. Do not randomize the questions (you'll understand this when you login to instantcert).
Why do you promote instantcert so much?
It allowed me to complete an AAS in Electromechanical Studies and a BS in General Business degree requirements from Excelsior College* in 6 months by providing the study material necessary for me to ace the CLEP, DSST, ECE, and TECEP exams in record time.
I uploaded scanned images of my transcripts for those that need more proof.
*Excelsior College, Albany, NY is regionally accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools and is recognized by the US Dept. of Education. They do not endorse this site. For more information on Excelsior's degree programs, click here.
It allowed me to complete an AAS in Electromechanical Studies and a BS in General Business degree requirements from Excelsior College* in 6 months by providing the study material necessary for me to ace the CLEP, DSST, ECE, and TECEP exams in record time.
I uploaded scanned images of my transcripts for those that need more proof.
*Excelsior College, Albany, NY is regionally accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools and is recognized by the US Dept. of Education. They do not endorse this site. For more information on Excelsior's degree programs, click here.
Instantcert vs iStudySmart...
iStudySmart takes a very in-depth approach in covering the material that will be on the test. It is highly recommended ONLY if you either cannot find the study guide in instantcert or recommended textbook as outlined in my BS Roadmap. Or, perhaps you did purchase the recommended textbook, but need additional guidance in picking out what topics to concentrate on to ace the exam. Their study guides cost $139-189 a piece. Compared to InstantCert Academy's $20/month.
For those of us on a budget, or simply want a simple, effective study guide for the test, InstantCert does the trick. However, iStudySmart takes a more "hands-on-book" approach. If there is no instantcert guide for an exam that you want to take, or there is an InstantCert guide but you are having a hard time grasping the concepts, then the iStudySmart guides should provide you with what you need.
iStudySmart takes a very in-depth approach in covering the material that will be on the test. It is highly recommended ONLY if you either cannot find the study guide in instantcert or recommended textbook as outlined in my BS Roadmap. Or, perhaps you did purchase the recommended textbook, but need additional guidance in picking out what topics to concentrate on to ace the exam. Their study guides cost $139-189 a piece. Compared to InstantCert Academy's $20/month.
For those of us on a budget, or simply want a simple, effective study guide for the test, InstantCert does the trick. However, iStudySmart takes a more "hands-on-book" approach. If there is no instantcert guide for an exam that you want to take, or there is an InstantCert guide but you are having a hard time grasping the concepts, then the iStudySmart guides should provide you with what you need.
