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Author’s Exam Profile
PREFACE
At the request of a number of readers, I've included a detailed listing of
my exam history. Skeptics have suggested that earning a bachelor degree by
examination is impossible without monumental effort, and even then, could
only be accomplished by a gifted few. Frankly, this is nonsense. I earned
two degrees by the method, and no one has ever accused me of being gifted.
To counter the skeptics, and answer the question, "what is actually
realistic and possible?", I've included a listing of all my exam
grades and the degrees earned, as a practical matter of providing evidence
in support of the claims made in these guides.
You might want to consider these data a benchmark of
performance of an unexceptional student. I think it likely that whatever I
can do, you can do too, plus or minus a bit.
Whatever your relative performance though, what
matters is that you see it through to the end and get the degree. Do not be
swayed by the uninformed naysayers. Do your own research and, above
all, try the practice exams yourself. While some will wag a finger and
offer a host reasons why it can't be done, you'll be off earning your
bachelor diploma. There is no more eloquent riposte.
AUTHOR’S EXAM RECORD AND DEGREES EARNED
DEGREES
Graduated from University of the State of New York, Regents
College, with a Liberal Arts degree, a Bachelor of Science in Political
Science1 (concentration), overall GPA 3.40
Graduated from Regents College (now Excelsior
College) with a Bachelor of Science in General Business summa cum laude,
overall GPA 3.92
1Completed
requirements for an additional liberal arts degree major, this time in
Psychology. USNY regulations prohibited conferral of another degree in the
same liberal arts program, however.
EXAMS
I sat a total of 40 proficiency exams of various hues, comprising
CLEP, DANTES, GRE subject, and RCE (formerly ACT/PEP, and now ECE).
GRADUATE RECORD SUBJECT EXAMS:
I sat two GRE exams. My scores were above the 96
percentile in one, and above the 92 percentile in the other. Had I only
required a pass above the 40th percentile (as required by COSC), I would
have needed only light revision. To be sure of a pass above the 80th
percentile (the requirement for maximum credit at Excelsior College) it is
prudent to target score in the practice exams at above the 90th percentile.
This requires a deal of quite serious effort. Again, note that COSC
students only require a pass above the 40 percentile (you lucky people).
CLEP, RCE, DANTES:
38 exams written, most with little study, 11 with no
study at all, targeting a letter grade "A", and a score above the
90th percentile in each. Over thirty exams could have been taken and passed
with no study had only a passing score been required. One of the 38 exams
was taken twice - I took ill during the first exam and could not continue
to the end but did submit my paper anyway. Of the total of 38 exams, I
passed 38.
Four exams were not letter graded:
For those not letter credited, the percentile scores
were 99th percentile, 97th percentile, 96th percentile, and 89th
percentile.
The rest (34) were letter graded. Results were: 30
A, 3 B, 1 C.
Further details
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