WGU BS:IT/Software (starting Nov. 1st 2013)

ratbuddy

Well, it's getting close, so it's time to make my thread.

I'm going in with no transfer credits asides from the 3 credits for CIW Web Foundations V6, which I took to meet the admittance requirements.

Today was my first call with my mentor. He was definitely open to the idea of my finishing the degree in a year or less. If I keep my head buried in books, I can do it.

Good news: He gave me a list of upper level courses which cancel out lower ones, and gave me permission to post it here, as long as I mention this: The MTA level courses can be skipped, but you don't have to skip them. You can still get the MTA certs if you want them. I haven't heard they are worth anything on a resume, so I wouldn't be including them anyway. Might as well skip them for some easy credits.

DHV1 (Windows OS Fundamentals, 3 CU, MTA exam 98-349) and DIV1 (Windows Server Admin Fundamentals, 3 CU, MTA exam 98-365) are required, since there are no higher level courses in these areas - at least in the Software focus. YMMV if you are in another IT program.

The following basic courses are skipped by the listed advanced courses:

Basic Course (Course Title, CU, Exam) -> Advanced Course (Course Title, CU, Exam) -> Total CU

---

EUP1 AND EUC1 ((Project in) Web Development Fundamentals, 2+2=4 CU, Performance/Objective Assessments) -> {
BOV1 (Web Programming, 4 CU, CIW JavaScript Specialist 1D0-635)
OR
CUV1 (Web Technologies, 4 CU, CIW Web Design Specialist 1D0-520)
Total for EUP1+EUC1+(BOV1 or CUV1) = 8 CU, basically add 4 extra when first completing either BOV1 or CUV1}

CWV1 (Network Fundamentals, 3 CU, MTA 98-366) -> CRV1 (Networks, 4 CU, CompTIA Network+ N10-005) -> 7 CU

DJV1 (Software Development Fundamentals, 4 CU, MTA 98-361) ->
{EITHER:
{TXP1 (Project: Introduction to Programming, 2 CU, performance assessment)
AND
TXC1 (Introduction to Programming, 2 CU, objective assessment)}
OR
{TYP1 (Project in Introduction to Object Oriented Design and Development, 2 CU, performance assessments)
AND
TYC1 (Introduction to Object Oriented Design and Development, 2 CU, objective assessment)} ->
Total for DJV1+either group of advanced courses = 8 CU - Basically add on 4 credits when you finish either TXP1+TXC1, or TYP1+TYC1}

DEV1 (Security Fundamentals, 3 CU, MTA 98-367) -> CTV1 (Security, 4 CU, CompTIA Security+ SY0-301) -> 7 CU

CVV1 (Database Fundamentals, 3 CU, MTA 98-364) -> CJV1 (Database I, 4 CU, CIW Database Specialist) -> 7 CU

Total skippable = 17 CU. Not bad.

I can't wait to get started for real.

NicWhite

Thank you for this @ratbuddy

Goodluck on your endeavor to finish the whole degree in one year. I will continue to read about your progress as you keep us updated.

So basically are you saying that the security+ will earn you 7 credits and the CIW Specialist will earn you another 7 credits?

ratbuddy

Yes, that is correct. Network+ is also worth 7 CU if you skip the Network Fundamentals MTA.

edit: Oh, I don't know how this works for transfers, and my mentor said they just started doing this a few weeks ago, so I don't know how it affects existing students.

EngRob

Good luck Ratbuddy!

I too start on Nov 1st on the Security track and also transferring only 3 credits for CIW Web Foundations V6. I have my mentor call tomorrow and was initially thinking of trying to complete within 18 months, but your finish within 1 year thread has got me thinking......

stryder144

I plan on starting the journey as well. I will, hopefully, start at the beginning of December. I have north of 100 s.h. credits and 3 certs, so hopefully that will shave a semester or two off of my requirements.

ratbuddy

I've started preassessments today. No study or review prior to preassessments, I want to know what I need to focus on.

CLC1 (Reasoning and Problem Solving): pass with 69% (cut score 60%) 28/120 minutes used. I will study my weak areas (Planning and Information Gathering: Systematic Problem Solving .67/3.0, ouch!) for two days before taking the real test.

AGC1 (Foundations of College Math): pass with 82% (cut score 64%) 34/180 minutes used. Ready to test.

TBP1 (English Composition 1): pass with 75% (cut score 70%) 83/120 minutes used. Need to brush up on evaluation arguments and a few other terms, I estimate 8 hours of study will ensure a pass.

That's all I can handle for now, my eyes are glazing over. Time to go back to Head First Java. I began yesterday and reached chapter three. Hopefully I'll be ready to tackle the Java projects and exams by February 2014.

I do wonder if the preassessments are much easier or harder than the actual exams. Any ideas?

Bundiman

It is doable in 1 year. I transferred in 28 CU and completed 65 CUs the first term. My new term just started Oct 1st and I have already completed 9 CUs.

ratbuddy

I started reading the Geography (BVC1) text and got bored after 10 pages, so I decided to try more preassessment fun.. 86%, cut score 71%, took 27/120 minutes. This was very basic stuff. If you can read a map and have a general idea of where things are on Earth, you'll pass this. Then again, I played a LOT of National Geographic Global Pursuit as a kid

Let me try to find one I'll fail...

Ahh, yes. CDC1, Intro to Biology. 54%, cut score 70%, 34/120 minutes. Need to read the wikipedia articles on cellular biology, DNA, genetics, and the kingdoms. That should be enough to pass, but I'll read the textbook just in case. Much more technical than any of the other preassessments I've tried so far - if you don't know the terminology, you won't guess the answers on this one. Figure a week of study to pass this one.

ratbuddy

Two more today:

IWC1 (Literature, Arts, and the Humanities): 64% (cut score 55%) in 59/150 minutes. This was a little shaky, will study a few days before scheduling the real test. They ask a lot of questions about religion and such, and I don't know the answers. Did 45% on those sections, but got 95% on the visual and performing arts sections.

TYC1 (Introduction to Object-Oriented Design and Development): 64% (cut score 70%) in 63/120 minutes. I fully expected to fail this, but I didn't expect to be anywhere close to passing. I'm only on chapter four in Head First Java. Once I finish the book, this will be an easy pass.

Had a conference call introduction to the degree plan last night. Didn't learn anything, but in my post-call conversation with my mentor, we settled on AGC1 (Foundations of College Math), BVC1 (Geography), EAV1, and EBV1 (A+ 801 and 802) as my 'official' first term. I'm going to try to knock out all four in the first week.

atl_libra

Just a heads up on TBP1 (English Composition 1). Pre-assessment or not....you'll still have to write those 4 papers. I didn't bother with it and just knocked the papers out.

ratbuddy

Thanks. Think they can be done in a week?

atl_libra

Depends on how comfortable/good you are with writing papers. They aren't hard at all. Just follow the rubric and you should be fine.

ratbuddy

Great, thanks again.

Today's preassessment was TJC1, Elements of Effective Communication. Failed with 63%, cut score 70%, took 31/120 minutes. I read the first 20 pages of the book last night. I will read the rest of the book and be ready to pass the test. I will probably do this one soon, I actually found the material interesting. Communication has always been something I needed to work on.

Xonis1

Welcome man! I started oct 1st in software at WGU. I only transferred in 8 credits non-IT related.

ratbuddy

Last night was UBC1 (Introduction to Physics). 71%, cut score 70%, took 54/120 minutes. Could have done better if I knew Newton's laws and the laws of thermodynamics by number, but I only know what they are, not what order they go in. Few hours of study on that, as well as electricity and magnetism, and this'll be a pass.

I'm hoping to knock out the general education stuff fast, it's really not interesting to me.

ratbuddy

Just had my weekly call with my mentor.

I'm taking AGC1 (Foundations of College Math), BVC1 (Geography), and EAV/EBV1 (I.T. Fundamentals 2/3 (A+)) this Friday. Starting at 10am, hoping to be done with everything by 2pm or so.

edit: They didn't have any slots open Friday at the Pearson testing center, so I bumped the A+ up to tomorrow at 10:30. Better cram tonight :P

CoolAsAFan

Hey ratbuddy, I'm loving your enthusiasm, way to get off to a good start! Your taking all 4 exams for your first term on the same day? Seems ballsy, but I like your style haha.

ratbuddy

I would have liked to take all four on Friday, but the Pearson testing location was only available today and Thursday. I said 'screw it' and scheduled 801/802 for this morning at 10:30 and this afternoon at 12:45 respectively. I got there at 10:10, they let me start right away, and they also let me take the 802 right after I finished the 801.

I scored 761 on the 801, and 900 on the 802. Yeah. The one I was confident on, I flopped. Well, I think 761 is a flop. I thought I was better prepared. 802, I was scared of. Turns out, I had it backwards. The 802 is more common sense than anything else, while the 801 required excessive memorization of useless information. Really surprised I didn't get any wrong on the 802, and I regret stressing over it so much. Shoulda focused on the 801 instead. Exam Cram plus the WGU materials are more than enough to pass the A+ exams.

Now that those are out of the way, I am looking forward to knocking out AGC1 and BVC1 on Friday. I cleared both preassessments by something like 15 points, so it should be a walk in the park.

Looking past Friday, I want to start knocking out the performance assessments, starting with English Comp 1. There are four papers to write, and I'm hoping to have them all submitted and graded within two weeks. During those two weeks, I'll study the texts and resources for Biology, Physics, and Communication. Tentative test date for those three is 11-25.

CoolAsAFan

I am very glad that I completed all of my general studies while at Ivy Tech, I am not a fan of writing papers at all. Just reading about you having to write a 4 page paper makes me cringe lol! I think I am safe until tech writing and capstone.

ratbuddy

I completed AGC1 (Foundations of College Math) and BVC1 (Geography) this morning. 89% on AGC1, and 93% on BVC1.

CUs transferred in: 3
Completed CUs: 14
Total CUs done: 17/124

Time to start studying biology and physics, and writing papers for TBP1 (English Comp 1)

atl_libra

I've put off the foundations of math class, because I HATE math. Is the math all that difficult? I know it's just basic college math, but I haven't buckled down and taken the pre-assessment yet.

ratbuddy

Honestly, it's high school math. Nothing more complicated than reducing basic polynomials and giving slope as a number. You should also know what rational numbers are. If you passed the readiness assessment to get admitted, you will probably pass this. I'd suggest taking the preassessment ASAP, and that goes for every single class. If you already know something, the coaching report will tell you, and you needn't study it further.

atl_libra

ok cool thanks. Good to see you get out the gates and knock these classes out. LOL I started in July and I have only finished Reasoning, Eng I and just turned in my paper for grading for Eng II. I just need to knock out this math before the term ends. Life kind of got in the way this term...next term I plan to get on the ball and hopefully knock out 50-60 cu's

ratbuddy

I'm sure you can do it, just kick life out of the way

atl_libra

You shooting to get done in one term or two?

ratbuddy

My goal is to graduate by this time next year, so two terms at most. I want to take my time learning the important stuff like Java, Javascript, Perl, etc.

NicWhite

Keep up the good work @ratbuddy!

ratbuddy

Thanks bud, I appreciate the support.

NotHackingYou

Keep up the good work - I am on the same track and can be available to answer questions if you have them.

Disgruntled3lf

One thing my mentor mentioned about waiving the MTA's was that those don't count towards credits earned. And that you need to earn at least 120 cu's to graduate. Perhaps someone else could look into this as well.

NotHackingYou

If you waived some of the classes and they don't count, how would you get enough credits to graduate?