My last two CLEP exams have been the Social Sciences and History CLEP ( I scored a 51) and the Humanities CLEP (I scored a 55). I walked away from both relieved and slightly disappointed. I was frustrated that after practice tests with REALLY great scores, I had scores that looked like I had just scraped by.
It’s just a score…
True. And, because it’s a CLEP and based on Pass/Fail, no one has to know my score I could just tell people I passed. It’s just a score, and I passed. I technically could move on with my life and my next CLEP, but that 55 is nagging me.
Social Sciences…
I knew that I probably wasn’t going to do really well on SS&H. I was having a really hard time with all the politically correct jargon of psychology and all that. It was tough and not my favorite CLEP by any means. However, I was doing fairly well on the practice tests. I was making 61-63 on most of the tests. I knew going into it that I would NOT ace it, but I thought I could do well. Enter the score of 51.
And with Humanities. I was scoring in the upper 70s on my practice tests. I scored a 55.
Where was that?
On SS&H and Humanities, I have been very frustrated with the questions. I use a huge amount of practice material to prep. I know the dangers of sticking with one particular company and taking their word for it as I prepare. I try to glean from textbooks, test prep manuals, “living books”, and other materials. None of that prepared me for the questions I faced on my last two tests. It was questions that hit me when I wasn’t looking, and stunned me.
I’m not complaining…
Really, I’m not. I am not going to sue CollegeBoard or REA or any other stuff I used. I know that I was still lacking in the history and humanities department and I know that played a part. However, it is frustrating. It is really hard to prepare for American Literature. I don’t know what my practice scores mean anymore. With College Math I learned math facts and knew what would appear on the test… math facts. 🙂 Now, I study authors, poets, and genres. Do I know what will be on the test? No… not really.
It’s demotivating.
Back in the saddle…
I am trusting the Lord with all my heart. I am taking my test tomorrow. American Literature has 100 questions to be answered in 90 minutes about all of American Literature.
I’m praying for a 75. 🙂