Decide which exam you would like to take. If you are currently enrolled in college, check with your advisor to make sure you will receive credit for your chosen exam and the credit will be applicable to your degree program.
After you have decided which exam to take, go to the Excelsior College Examination website and download a study guide. You will need to create a free user account to access the publications page. These guides offer all of the information you will need to take the exam, including the topics covered, suggested study materials, and an extensive set of sample questions.
After you have obtained the study guide for your exam, locate appropriate study materials. Local libraries can often be a good resource for free study materials. You can also get a good deal on used textbooks online. Since textbooks are continuously, and sometimes needlessly, updated, a previous edition of a textbook can be purchased for just a few dollars but still provide all of the information you will need to prepare for your exam.
Now that you have your study guide and your study materials, start studying! It is best to set aside some time every day to prepare for your exam. The study guide will outline the topics the exam covers. Some topics make up a larger percentage of the exam, spend more time on these and less time on the topics that make up a smaller percentage of the exam.
Once you feel prepared, register for your exam through the Excelsior College website and pay the necessary fees. You will then receive an "Authorization to Test" letter, this will allow you to schedule an appointment to take your exam at your local Pearson VUE testing center anytime within six months of registering for it.
On the day of your exam appointment, make sure to allow yourself plenty of time to get to the testing center. If you are late for your appointment, the testing center staff may require that you reschedule your appointment.