first exam

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Specializes in Dementia, Developmental Disabilities.

I am taking my first "off-line" exam next week for Lifespan development, bought every book and study guide possible, probably over-bought! Am very nervous though. Next is Gerontology and Medical Ethics, then the dreaded A&P and Microbiology which scare me to death, is it really possible to learn 2 semesters worth on your own? I don't want to spend the money and fail...it just seems next to impossible to remember that much for 1 exam! Also, I made the stupid mistake of enrolling in EC while still doing General courses, dumb! If I don't finish by the time my year is up do I have to register again, or can I wait at that point until I "need" to register without them penalizing me?

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

If you've already enrolled, you have to pay the annual fee ($440) to remain enrolled. If you let your enrollment lapse, you'd have to start all over! Don't feel too badly, I did the same thing -- I took Info Lit just to make sure I was motivated, then enrolled before I took A&P. Unfortunately it took me a while to take the A&P exam, so I did end up having to pay the annual fee once. But hey, that RN at the end? Yeah, it's worth it. :D

Just a tip -- you can take CLEP tests in place of Lifespan and Gerontology. They are much less expensive than the EC exams. There is a "Human Growth and Development" CLEP that will cover the Lifespan requirement, and the Introductory Sociology CLEP will cover the sociology requirement (that's where they want you to take their Gerontology exam). If you haven't already registered/paid for Lifespan, I recommend saving yourself a little (lot) of money and taking the CLEP tests. Just make sure you get EC's approval to use the CLEP tests for credit before you do it. CLEP info is here:

http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/clep/about.html

I took mine at a local university, which also saved me the 3 hours round-trip driving to the Pearson test center! The CLEPs cost about $80 -- usually $65 for the exam and a fee to the university where you test -- mine charged $15. I took the exams in the university library. CLEP tests are pass/fail and they weren't bad at all, in my opinion. Then again, I overstudy for everything! Ha ha.

If you decide to take the CLEPs, send me a private message (PM) and let me know -- I have some study material I can send you. (Just note that you can only send a PM when you have 15 posts, but you're pretty close to that.)

Good luck!! :)

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Specializes in Dementia, Developmental Disabilities.

Thanks so much for the information. Yet again, I messed up and have already paide for Lifespan, which I take on Thursday at Pearson, and Gerontology, which I need to take by October 1. Oh well, live and learn. As long as I end up an RN in the end, it will be worth it. My biggest concern is doing Micro and A&P through EC. I can't imagine learning 2 semesters of A&P to be able to take the exam. Is is really possible. I am a great self-studier but do work 2 jobs and.....life! I just want to make sure it is possible to do. Thanks again for the advice. I do miss the classmates I had in LPN school, this is definitely a solo adventure. It helps to be able to chat with others that have been through this.

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.
Oh well, live and learn. As long as I end up an RN in the end, it will be worth it.

Exactly! :D

Yeah, I didn't know a lot of things, like that I didn't have to enroll before taking general ed stuff, or that I could have saved a lot of $$ taking Info Lit through Penn Foster. There was a lot of trial and error on my part!

A&P and Micro are do-able. I thought Micro was easier than A&P just because it didn't cover quite the breadth of material A&P does. I was happy to get a B on the A&P exam! :)

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Specializes in Dementia, Developmental Disabilities.

Thanks again. Would you recommend micro before a&P then?

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

Nah, I'd say get A&P done and out of the way! :D

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Specializes in Dementia, Developmental Disabilities.

Taking my lifespan exam in the morning....freaking out! took the practice exam today and got 70 on part a and 79 on part b. really hate those theories and the questions that seem all correct! no sleep tonite.:bowingpur

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Specializes in Med surg and Psych.
Taking my lifespan exam in the morning....freaking out! took the practice exam today and got 70 on part a and 79 on part b. really hate those theories and the questions that seem all correct! no sleep tonite.:bowingpur

Best of Luck and prayers sent your way as you take your lifespan test. Hope you get some rest tonight. Traci

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Specializes in Dementia, Developmental Disabilities.

:bowingpurTook my Lifespan Development exam at Pearson this morning and got a B! Am very thrilled and relieved. Glad it's over. Glad I can share my news with people who understand through this forum! On to Gerontology, Medical Ethics, Communication and dreading A&P and Micro. Then doing the nursing courses after general eds are done. On my way, I finally feel it may be possible!

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

Is IS possible!! Keep up the good work!! :)

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