Note: This post is one in a series on how we prepared our homeschooled children to take various College Level Examination Program tests. The introductory post for this series explains why we take these tests, what parts of the preparation worked for us, and what parts of the preparation did not work.
The CLEP test: Biology
Primary study materials:
Secondary study materials:
Discussion:
We had read in a number of homeschool forums that Apologia Biology by itself was not sufficient to prepare a student to take the CLEP Biology exam. We always use the REA books to supplement our test preparation, but were a little bit worried. We read from a number of people that, since we use Apologia, even their Advanced Biology was barely adequate to prepare someone for the test. We found that to be totally bogus. Kelly had a great year of Biology study using the regular Apologia Biology program in conjunction with the Sonlight Biology lesson plan and supplemental materials. She got a good foundation in everything required to take the test. She needed to learn some of the material with more specificity, but that was very well covered in the REA book. We read two additional books aloud together that were not only informative, but also very inspiring. The first, Explore Evolution, gave a very balanced explanation of the current state of the evolution controversy at a level that is very well suited for highschool readers. The second, Understanding Intelligent Design, did the same thing for the rapidly advancing field of ID research. Other than hitting the REA book a little harder for a week or two before the test, we would not change a thing in the way preparation.
Results:
Kelly was fifteen years old at the end of the ninth grade when she took this test and had a scaled score that, according to the REA book, would give her a high B if the course were graded. Christian is scheduled to take the test next year (at the end of eighth grade).
What we would do differently:
Due to a heavy, end of year schedule Kelly did not devote as much time to study of the REA book. She feels if she would have spent even one more week of hard study in that book should could have raised her score the few points necessary to be in the A category.
Ruthie
Congratulations Kelly!
Well, we finished painting the front two rooms (they really make once bigger room together)and am in the process of hooking everything back up and moving back furniture. I am very pleased with the results. I am thankful for my friend that came to help me for 2 days straight. She learned how to make crepes and I sent her home with chili the first night for dinner. Since she said she would be offended if I paid her for her help, I hired her son to do some heavier yard work for me and to come show my boys how to trim our hedges using the electric hedge trimmer. It was a win-win situation and I cannot remember a time when more got done around the house in a 2 day period. I feel so very accomplished!
It sounds like you had a great time together in addition to getting a bunch of stuff done and eating some great food. In my book, that is about as good as it gets!
I have been following your blog, specifically about CLEP tests. I may have missed it but do Kelly and Christian have specific plans as they enter college: what major and what job? My children have varying interests. I do like the idea of CLEP tests for subjects that might not appeal to them but are required General Education classes.
Deanne, thanks for reading our blog and for the great question. Kelly and Christian are still pretty young, but still will be young when I have given them about all the homeschool stuff I am able to give them. The whole family has talked about what we want to do. The big thing is that we do not want them to leave home until they are ready. So, we have decided to try to turn their undergraduate education into just a little more difficult high school education. With the CLEP credits and a year at the community college, Kelly should be able to finish a bachelors degree or two within a year of when she would have normally graduated from high school. There is a good little private school close to where we live. The plan is for her to work toward a double degree in Biology and Math with a minor in Journalism or some other kind of communications. She wants to do something with her writing, but our thinking is that a couple of degrees in hard sciences will not hurt her and she can go on to a Masters Degree at a good school for her “going away to college” experience. Even though Christian is still pretty young we think he will probably do something similar for his undergraduate work, but he wants to continue on to graduate work in some kind of engineering or hard science. We have talked to a couple of schools and they think this is all doable.
Writing will certainly complement her hard science degree. It sounds like you have not had any issues with colleges accepting CLEP credits. We are going the community college route at this point because my child doesn’t know exactly what she wants to major in. Although, she has a leaning towards Chemistry. This community college will accept 12 CLEP credits. The state college will accept about 12 CLEP credits, I believe. A near by private college accepts about 28 to 32 credits.
I think we are pretty fortunate here Deanne. The state universities only take around 12 CLEP credits here, too, but the private schools take a lot more than that, probably as in the same range as where you are. The problem with the private schools here is that they cost a lot without a scholarship, but it seems like there are plenty of good scholarships if ACT or SAT scores are high enough. Chemistry is a great field. Hard. You should be proud!
Yes the private colleges are quite pricey around here as well.