This blog post is part of a series where I chronicle my advancement through WGU’s Bachelor of Science, Business – Information Technology Management degree. It includes detailed reports on my study methods and strategies as well as occasional tips and tricks. To see all entries in this series, click the “WGU” link under “Categories” on the left sidebar (bottom of the page if viewing on mobile).
This is not a difficult course. If you’ve taken Financial Accounting (which you should have by this point) I think that you’ll find this course to be easier. This class is all basic math. The most difficult parts are: (1) Understanding the verbiage and what it’s meant to represent, and (2) Remembering the formulas.
Day 1: (1) Watched cohort video for Chapter 1, and created and studied flashcards
Day 2: (1) Watched cohort video for Chapters 2, 3, and 4, and created and studied flashcards
Day 3: (1) Watched cohort video for Chapters 5, 6, and 7, and created and studied flashcards
Day 4: (1) Watched cohort video for Chapters 9 and 10, and created and studied flashcards
Day 5: (1) Watched cohort video for Chapter 11, and created and studied flashcards, (2) Took the Pre Assessment
After Pre Assessment #1 (Competent):
I scored just barely competent. Prior to taking the PA I had rigorously studied all of my flashcards, so the low score was pretty frustrating. I knew it was coming though. While taking the PA there were a few questions where I was simply stumped and I ended up leaving them blank.
In the end I scored about a 3/10 in one competency, about a 6/10 on another, and the others were in the 7-8/10 range. I obviously had more studying to do before sitting down for the OA.
Day 6: (I scheduled the OA on this day) For weak competency areas, I:
- Rewatched cohorts, and worked through the questions presented
- Worked through the assignments included in the online text book
- Re-studied flash cards
Day 7: (1) Took the Objective Assessment
After the Objective Assessment (Competent):
This was, by far, the longest OA I’ve taken. It took me about 1:45 hours to complete. The PA is very representative of the OA. It’s not identical, but the questions and concepts are very similar, so much so that my scores for the competencies that I didn’t study, didn’t move, up or down, between the PA and OA results. Because of this, I highly recommend studying your PA coaching report. My other piece of advice for this OA includes:
- Take it slow, don’t rush
- If you can’t figure a question out, bookmark it and come back (I fixed a few potential errors by doing this)
- If you come up with an answer that’s not listed, methodically re-read the question, figure out what it’s asking and try to answer.
- If all else fails, start putting in different values and/or make your best guess
Love your blog. I just started my 3rd term (1/1) at WGU for HR. I have 14 classes to get through this term to make it my last.
Hi Heidi,
I’m glad you like the blog. I don’t know what your classes are, but from my experience, 14 in a term would be tough but doable (depending on your level of experience and how good you are at studying, of course).
Good Luck!
Chad
Thank for this. I’ll have to try your method for studying. I’ve been in a rut lately and just not motivated for this class. I have this, my capstone, and principles of accounting left to graduate. Hoping I can knock this out by the end of October (2018).
Thanks so much,I truly appreciate this blog