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Why We Regret Not Finishing Our Education

Jul 14, 2021 | Career

What is life’s biggest regret?

That may be too far to think ahead for you, especially if you’re a freshman or sophomore college student. But, if you could guess, you may think it would be past relationships, missed opportunities, or severed connections with old friends. 

While all of these are good guesses, you would be wrong. According to one study by the University of Illinois, people are most likely to regret not finishing their education. 

Why? At the end of life, we regret not taking education seriously more than anything else because of the Opportunity Principle. The opportunity principle means we regret things that are most in our power to control. 

To put it in another way, missing out on education particularly stings because it is something you can fix at any time. You may never be able to reconnect with old friends from high school, but anyone can go back to school.

As someone just starting their college career, this puts you in the best position possible. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, just 41.6% of students graduate from college within four years. For each additional semester, you spend in school, you may rack up additional student loan debt. But, you can do a few things to ensure that you finish your degree on time. And one of those things is testing out of college courses through Credit-by-Exam. 

What is Credit-by-Exam, and How Does It Work?

Credit-by-exam is a program that allows you to test out of general education college courses. With Credit-by-Exam, instead of attending a sixteen-week college course, you would take one exam and receive college credits after you pass your exam. Which means you can finish your degree faster and on time. 

Seems too good to be true, right? But thousands of accredited colleges and universities recognize Credit-by-Exam, and the most popular Credit-by-Exam test is CLEP. 

What is CLEP?

CLEP or the College Level Examination Program is probably one of the most widely known and accepted Credit-by-Exam tests.

A few quick things about CLEP:

  • Over 3,000 colleges and universities accept CLEP exam credits.
  • There are nearly 2,000 CLEP testing centers around the country. 
  • Thirty different CLEP exams cover a wide range of subjects, including science, literature, and math. 
  • The tests typically last 90 minutes and cost roughly $85.

Remember, colleges may have different policies on the number of CLEP credits they will accept. Make sure to check with your university’s academic advisor before taking any CLEP exam. Some colleges may accept up to 15 credits, which is about five college courses. Another popular Credit-by-Exam test is DSST.

What is DSST?

DSST (DANTES Subject Standardized Tests) is another common Credit-by-Exam exam type. A few additional facts on DSST exams:

  • DSST exams are typically 120 minutes long with 100 questions each. 
  • Testing centers are located across the country 
  • DSST exams typically cost $80, not including fees. 
  • Military members may be able to test out with DSST for free.

Like CLEP, DSST allows you to take tests on various subjects and earn credits once you pass your exam. DSST tests are widely accepted, with more than 2,000 accredited colleges and universities recognizing DSST as transfer credits. 

Prep for Credit-by-Exam with Smarter with Achieve 

Finishing college is no small feat, but Credit-by-Exam can make it easier. However, there’s one small catch. Unlike a regular college course, Credit-by-Exam offers no instruction, meaning you have to prepare to test out of a cumulative subject by yourself. And if you’re anything like most people, finding the time, suitable material, and self-discipline to do so is nearly impossible. Further troubling is that many colleges and universities won’t allow you to retake a Credit-by-Exam test if you failed the first time. 

But that’s where Smarter with Achieve comes in. We help you prepare and pass your CLEP or DSST exam the first time. 

Smarter with Achieve is a test prep company that allows you to test out of your nursing prerequisites and earn college credits so that you can earn your RN degree faster.  

Here are some benefits of the Achieve Test Prep model: 

  • No waiting list and courses can start as soon as a week
  • Live virtual instruction in a collaborative environment
  • Once a week courses that fit your schedule 
  • No quizzes, term papers, or busywork 
  • A 94% customer success rate 

Are you ready to get started? Then, contact one of our dedicated advisors today!

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