One way to speed up the process of earning your online degree is by taking equivalency tests. These tests allow you to complete your online degree efficiently and affordably. They will require some studying, but many colleges will grant credit and/or advanced standing for successful completion of equivalency exams.
The three most common equivalency tests are the following tests:
1. The College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) - This test provides students of any age with the opportunity to demonstrate college-level achievement through a program of exams in undergraduate college courses.
You can gain college credit for what you already know via independent study, noncredit adult courses, and/or professional development.
You can save considerable money as the CLEP costs just $60, much less than hundreds or thousands for an online course.
If you're just a few credits short of earning that degree, CLEPs could make all the difference in obtaining that degree.
CLEPs are available in 34 college-level introductory subjects.
Over 2,900 colleges grant undergraduate credit for CLEP, between 3-12 college credits for each CLEP exam taken.
Over 1,300 colleges administer the exam.
The test is administered on computer and is available all year-long. They are timed and 90 minutes long. With the exception of the English Composition with Essay section, all the rest of the exam is composed of multiple-choice questions, though the mathematics section can also have some fill-in-the-blank type questions.
All CLEP exams are scored on a scale of 20 to 80; you need to score 50+ (equivalent to a C grade) in order to earn the credit.
2. The DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (DSST) - These tests enable people to use their knowledge acquired outside the classroom to accomplish their educational and professional goals.
The current cost of these tests is $70 each and subject tests include such diverse subjects from business and math to health and social sciences to the humanities.
These tests are currently accepted or administered at over 1,900 colleges and universities nationwide and are approved by the American Council on Education (ACE.)
3. Excelsior College Examinations - These exams allow you to complete your degree efficiently and affordably, earn the credit you need for promotion or certification, and demonstrate what you know for college admission or placement. They are accepted by Excelsior College and other universities around the nation.
Subject Tests include subjects in the arts and sciences, business, education, and nursing. Overall, there are 40 different subject tests to choose from. Many of these tests offer upper-level credit to those who score well enough on them. To take these tests, you need to go to your nearby Pearson Professional Centers, which are open up to six days a week. The tests are multiple-choice.
Some universities will also have their own type of equivalent tests, specifically for those students who have been out of school for a while, to better determine what level a person is at in regards to placement in college courses.
Occasionally, some universities will require you to take the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) if you never have before. This test consists of a Reasoning Test that has three main components: a Critical Reading section, a Mathematics section, and a Writing section.
There are also SAT Subject Tests, which fall into five general subject categories: English, History & Social Studies, Mathematics, Science, and Foreign Languages. These are not always required by colleges, but can give them a better idea of how advanced you are in your education and where you should be placed in regards to your courses.
For those applying to graduate school, the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) are usually prerequisites as the university will use these in part to help determine your qualifications for graduate study.
There are two types of GRE: A general reasoning test and subject tests.
The GRE General Test measures verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, critical thinking, and analytical writing skills that have been acquired over a long period of time and that are not related to any specific field of study. This test is being administered on computers in most areas of the world, whereas a few places still use a paper-based version of the test. It is administered year-round.
The GRE Subject Tests gauge undergraduate achievement in these eight disciplines:
Biochemistry, Cell, and Molecular Biology Chemistry Computer Science Literature in English Mathematics Physics Psychology
These are intended for students who have majored in or have extensive background in that specific area. They are administered in November, December, and April at paper-based test centres worldwide.
Knowing what tests you either need to take or should take should help you enter the online degree program you want and even reduce the amount of time it takes for you to earn that degree.
Different companies usually have online surveys created to find out what type of services or products the present day consumers prefer, and if any changes have to be made to their existing range of products or services.
Choose online surveys you have some knowledge about
As different companies require certain knowledge about different products and services before filling out their online surveys, you have to first determine if you are fit or adaptable enough to fill out the online survey.
To do this, you will have to first select a few or most probable paying companies offering online surveys. On registering for the companies, you will be sent forms which you have to fill out, with your details.
It is important that you provide true details in the form as it is depending on the details that you provide that the company decides which economic and social category you actually fit in.
Register in as many companies as possible
On finding out which economic group you belong to, the company will be able to decide on the best survey for you to answer to. So on receiving all your details, the company slowly starts sending you questionnaires to be filled out.
Some of the companies may send over surveys within a day of your providing your personal information while some companies will take a month to send you anything. This is why it is better to register in as many companies as possible so that you will be offered the best online surveys to fill out.
When you answer the online surveys, remember that you will be answering them according to your individual product consumption. So the more the company thinks that you use some products and services; the better the online surveys turn out to be.
You need less than 10 minutes to fill out a survey
Usually, an online survey takes less than 10 minutes to fill up as the questions are usually simple to answer. You may be asked how many times you visit the department store in a week, what you usually buy there, the sizes and types of products you usually use and how much you usually spend on each shopping spree.
There are different types of online surveys; you can try answering the longer ones which usually pay higher. Simple and easy online surveys cost between $5 to $75 per survey, while participation in online focus groups charge $50 to $150 per hour.
Focus groups are great options for exchange of ideas
There are some companies that require that you try out new products they produce, where you get to keep the products instead of being paid by the company. Sometimes, you will be given the job of previewing movie trailers online where you will be paid from $12 to $35 for it.
You could also consider joining focus groups where you sit with other members in a group to discuss different subject matters in the presence of a mediator who is responsible for controlling the flow of the discussion.
This is great money making paid survey option where you get to meet new people and in the process, exchange ideas. You could also join the online panel group surveys wherein you talk to the research consultants and provide them with valuable information to improve the products they offer.
So it can be said that the best surveys to take online are those you are comfortable with, and those you enjoy taking part in the most. With the answering of surveys, you will be able to increase your monthly income to a sizeable amount.
Both Bryan Wong & Greg Morrison are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Bryan Wong has sinced written about articles on various topics from Home Management, Supplements and Wedding Planning. Bryan Wong is the owner of www.OneStopEducationSearch.com, a website that provides you a unique one-stop-search-service and high quality articles.. Bryan Wong's top article generates over 33100 views. to your Favourites.
Greg Morrison has sinced written about articles on various topics from Family Travel, Small Business and PPC Advertising. Greg is an avid writer and a long term internet marketer.He plays a large part in the online paid surveys market, and runs the site . You can find. Greg Morrison's top article generates over 40500 views. to your Favourites.