I hope my confession will serve as a dire warning to anyone who might be considering taking that all-important first CLEP.

Confessions of a Clepaholic: A Slippery Slope Story
By Snazzlefrag

Written by mine own hand on this 15th day of June, in the year of our Lord 2006.

I found out the hard way that exam-taking is extremely addictive! It only takes ONE exam for the uninitiated to become completely dependent. After you take that very first exam, it won't be long before you feel the need to take another exam...and another...and another.

Clepaholism is a beast that must constantly be fed! It grows, and grows, and grows, until eventually it consumes you.

Clepaholism changes 'who you are'. You will find yourself sneaking around the house, surreptitiously preparing for your next exam with every spare moment you have. You will wake up early in the morning with exams on your mind. You will stay up late at night wondering what your next exam will be like. It won't be long after you take your very first exam that you will find yourself turning to the love of your life and saying, "not now honey, I'm studying."...And thus begins the Slippery Slope!

Back in November of 2005, I took my own 'very first exam'. People tried to warn me against it, but I just had to try it. I told myself it was "just one exam! I can stop whenever I want." Before I knew it, it was the end of December and I had earned 43 credits. I knew I had to do something, because it was costing me a fortune to support my addiction.

I tried switching from CLEP to DANTES. That helped a little bit because I no longer got the same "kick" of instant gratification I experienced with CLEP. But I still couldn't break my habit altogether. I tried to quit 'cold turkey' in January, 2006. I actually went three whole months without taking a single exam. I kid you not...for three whole months I was completely and totally clean. Life was looking good again. I had money in my pocket, I had free time, I was able to get to bed early. Things were definitely improving.

But the after-effects of all those earlier exams was still very evident. I had knowledge pulsing through my veins. I found myself able to answer obscure questions on Jeopardy. Every time I watched "Who Wants to be a Millionaire", I was transported back to my exam-taking days. Everywhere I turned I saw reminders of my former life: I turned on the TV, and there it was...an advertisement for this university, or that college; I turned on my computer, and there it was..."Earn your degree in 18 months. Guaranteed!"

I felt as though I was going crazy. The hot sweats and clammy hands were bad enough. But it was the paranoia that got to me the most. It was as if the exams were taunting me, mocking me, constantly calling me by name. I even gained a bunch of weight. I was trying to alleviate the hunger for more exams by replacing them with comfort food. As you can probably guess...It didn't work. I was already on the Slippery Slope. There's no getting off the Slippery Slope. It's an express train, and it doesn't stop for anyone.

Unfortunately, in March of this year, the allure of taking exams became too much for me, and I fell off the wagon again. I told myself that I could control it, that if I could just take one more exam it would satisfy my cravings. That was a big mistake!

So here I am in June 2006, and I find myself with 73 credits in my system. I just can't seem to get it under control. I know it's only a matter of time before the unthinkable happens! I live every day knowing that any one of these exams could be my last. I know it in my heart...but I still can't stop.

As I sit here alone at my computer writing these words, I know that I don't have much time left. I know that my addiction will almost certainly get the best of me in the end. Maybe not tomorrow, maybe not next week, but one day...and maybe one day soon!

It will start out just like any other day. I'll have been up all night "preparing". I'll kiss my wife goodbye, get in the car, and drive to my usual exam spot. I'll say hello to some of the regulars I recognize from past visits. All will appear normal. After all, it's just another exam, right? I've taken exams before! Why would today's exam be any different. When I get there, I'll make myself comfortable and take a few deep breaths to help me relax. When I'm ready, I'll begin the exam, inhaling deeply to savor the awesome satisfaction that only taking an exam can bring me. Only towards the end of the exam will I begin to sense that something is not quite right. Something is different about this particular exam. Something is wrong. But it's too late! I can't back out now. My pulse is racing, I'm hot and clammy, my face is flushed, and my heart feels ready to jump out of my chest. "Oh! Please God! No! Not like this! It can't end like...like....like THIS! Call 911. Somebody....anybody....call 911."

Within minutes it's all over.

I've reached the end of the Slippery Slope, barely even one year since I took that fateful first exam. There I lie on the floor of the test center, surrounded by score reports, old exam papers, essays, multiple choice. I take my last breath! Not in the presence of my loved ones, but surrounded by chuckling fellow addicts, and a weeping Proctor I barely even knew.

I think it happens to us all in the end...

..It will almost certainly happen to YOU TOO!

Beware the Slippery Slope! You have been warned.

I wish you well,
Snazzlefrag

Starting a new thread so we don't get to off topic in the "How do you know about CLEP?" thread. Though is it even possible to go Off Topic in the Off Topic section of the forums?

.. and now back to the discussion


First off on the matter of US vs AU in regards to degrees the short answer would be that the AU degree should have just as much utility in most settings as a US degree. The only way I can see the AU degree as having less utility is if the person judging your degree is anti distance learning. The same could be said if you're getting a degree from NY and you live in Indiana though (however it would be a bit less noticeable). The funny thing is that the US degree I did mention (Aspen.edu) would probably have less utility than the AU degree. Aspen is accredited by DETC which isn't always accepted by a Regionally Accredited school. If you didn't plan to teach, and didn't mind limiting possible PhD options than being DETC wouldn't matter as it's a legit accreditor recognized by the department of education. If you want to keep reading about RA vs NA accredition and so on I'd recommend some other forums..

http://forums.degreeinfo.com/

http://forums.degreeboard.com/index.php

There are many strong opinions on RA vs NA, but near universal agreement on the acceptance of properly accredited schools from the UK, CA, AU, and South Africa.



The Aussie program is on my short list. I'd have to update my MCSE to 2003 but then I'd only have 6 courses for a graduate degree. It really wouldn't hurt me to update my MCSE, and my employer would reimburse test costs. I must say the formalities of working with a school in another country are the only big things holding me back. A little more work to even get into the program, but it may be worth the extra effort. It does look like the school goes to some great effort to help International students. I have e-mailed Irfan Altas [email protected] with a few questions and he's been fast and great with the responses.

Well, I'm scheduled to take the marketing exam next week. I have been holding off doing the Principles of Marketing CLEP Guide test until tonight. I got 37 correct out of 46 for a 80.4% score. I have been using a REA book I borrowed from someone on this site and also using IC. I'm finding the IC material is very, very close to the REA book so I'm using it more than IC lately. I'm still feeling stuck on a few areas which I will review prior to the exam.

So - is scoring an 80% on the study guide from CLEP a good indication? I know I only need a 50 to pass but I'm still just not feeling like I know it all.

What are good indicators that you are/were ready for your exams?

On the sociology test that you took today? Beautiful day in Washington State to take a clep test. Let us know that you passed!

Sorry, but I did a search for both REA and Comex and REA showed up with no results. Comex showed MANY post, but none I found told me WHAT they were.

So I have did the 'search' tool, but I still have no clue what either of these are. I am assuming that they are to help study for test, but where are they at? Websites, actual books?

and was wondering if anyone has any ideas on one that you think were "easy" and definately recommend. I have taken so far Here's to your Health and today at 1130 I will be taking Drug and Alcohol Abuse. I have 8 LL classes to take left and 2 Upper Level classes to take as well. (For a Bachelors in Liberal Arts). My main goal is to get my Masters in Human Resources(someday)hilarious

So I am just starting on these test, but I have noticed some of you are really knowledgable and have been here for a while and wondering if you could help me out here.

Thanks!!

HI,

I do not know much about Excelsior and Thomas Edison, only that they provide a degree through exams and prior learning.

I have been taking CLEPs to complete my associates degree through my community college. While searching online and speaking to friends, I found out that Western Illinois University offers a Board of Trustees Bachelor of Arts degree. You can completely test out of all your classes through this degree. They also offer credit through a prior learning portfolio. You never need to step foot on the campus. It is 3 hours from me and I still don't want to go there. Western is a highly respected University in Illinois. It is not on the scale of University of Illinois Champain, but it is in the top state schools.

The only downside I can find is that you cannot declare a major. You can declare a minor.

If you are interested in looking at another option their website is http://www.wiu.edu/qc/catalog/bot.shtml

I read the entire thread already about the FEMA program courses. However I just got off the phone with Excesior's Admissions and was told they would not accept the credits from the Thomas Edison credit bank, only from FCC. Now that I've completed 12 of these I find this out..... That's $720 :eek: for FCC verses the $350 for the credit bank; me thinks school has much more to do with money than what you learn..... Anything new came out concerning these FEMA courses or was I incorrectly informed by Toby (Yes, that's her name) in admissions? Thanks, Lee

Has anyone bought any of the study guides or flashcards being sold on Ebay? I am new at this DSST testing and am wondering if there is an "easy" way to study for these test. I have taken Here's to Your Health and passed it and am getting ready to take "Drug and Alcohol Abuse" tomorrow a.m. On to my next test after that, but have seen several study guides, cards and such on DSST and CLEP exams on Ebay and just thought I would ask you guys what you thought about them. Good Idea or no?

Thanks in Advane!

I noticed there are a lot of people on this site sweating the College Math CLEP. I studied for just two weeks using IC and free downloaded tests from the web and got a 61. I took a lot of math in High School but that was 22 years ago, when I started studying for this I couldn't do a basic algerbra problem. With the help of my wife and a lot of aggravation, I pushed through and just took the test. Much to my surprise, the test had little to do with most of the material I studied; I overstudied if anything. Concentrate on word problems and basic terminology. IC went way too deep in my opinion as I was unable to do half of the material they presented. Feel free to e-mail or respond if you have more questions, but don't sweat it, just prepare and do it. Hope this helps someone out there, Lee