Marketing Fundamentals (6 Days)

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).

Marketing Fundamentals is a straightforward course that’s not too intense or demanding. The study emphasis is on the reading, but the cohorts offer a very good introduction to many of the concepts covered in the course, and are efficient (in my experience) to prepare you for the Pre Assessments.

Day 1:

1. Downloaded the two crash-course videos
2. Converted videos to MP3 with VLC
3. Uploaded the MP3s to Overdraft
4. Listened to both crash-course videos
5. Took the Pre Assessment

After Pre-Assessment #1 (Competent):

While I didn’t fail the PA, I didn’t do particularly well. My initial thought was, “Meh.” Of the five competency areas, I scored around a 7/10 in four of them, and then probably a 4 or 5 on the fifth. I definitely needed to do more studying in preparation for the OA.

The problem with fairly even scores is that I didn’t necessarily have 2-3 weak points that I could really focus on (although I did have the one). Instead I needed to study all of the competency areas, with a special emphasis on that low one.

Day 2: (1) Read and took notes on chapter summaries

Day 3: (1) Created and studied flashcards based on chapter summaries, (2) Studied targeted units

Day 4: (1) Studied flashcards, (2) Took the Pre Assessment

After Pre-Assessment #2 (Competent):

I scored quite a bit better on the second assessment. My score in all areas increased somewhat, and it was easy to see where I needed to focus my study going forward

Day 5: (1) Studied targeted unit, (2) Scheduled OA

Day 6: (1) Took the OA

After the Objective Assessment (Competent):

I hate to say this, because the experience may be different for other people and I don’t want to create false expectations, but I found the OA to be easier than the PA in this course. There were no surprise questions, and the material from the book was represented. If I were going to give some advice it would be to use the process of elimination when it doubt.