Back to School Game Plan | Pre-test

About 10 minutes. Not graded. 12 questions, plus 3 quick confidence questions.

This is not a test you pass or fail. It is fine not to know these answers. Many people will not, because you have not taken the course yet. Your answers show your starting point, so at the end you can see how far you came.

These questions test planning steps, not current benefit rules. Rules, caps, and eligibility change. Verify details with your education center or school certifying official, VA.gov, and StudentAid.gov.

Why we ask: it shows what you already know and which ideas are new to you. When you finish the course, you will see your before and after for each skill, so you can see where you grew and what to review.

How sure do you feel?

Rate each line from 1 (not at all sure) to 5 (very sure). There is no right answer.

I know the credential my target job really requires and what credit I already have.

1 2 3 4 5

1 = Not at all sure5 = Very sure

I can compare schools on credit, accreditation, and total cost.

1 2 3 4 5

1 = Not at all sure5 = Very sure

I can put my funding in a safe order and turn it into a one page plan.

1 2 3 4 5

1 = Not at all sure5 = Very sure

Questions

1. Keisha wants a better paying job but has not picked one. A school rep says to enroll in business now. What should she do first?

A. Enroll now so she does not lose time B. Pick a target role and read real job postings for it C. Take the cheapest class she can find

2. Dee wants to be a dental assistant. In ten local job ads, seven list a state certificate. Three call an associate degree a plus. What should she plan to earn first?

A. An associate degree B. A bachelor's degree in biology C. A state dental assistant certificate

3. A posting says: "Required: CDL. Preferred: associate degree." What does this tell you?

A. The CDL is the must have. The degree is a plus. B. Both are needed before you can apply C. The degree matters more than the CDL

4. Which set of records belongs in your credit folder?

A. Only college classes where you earned an A or a B B. Your military transcript, test scores, licenses, and old college transcripts C. Your high school diploma and your most recent resume

5. You took two college classes ten years ago but lost the transcript. What should you do?

A. Retake the classes so you have fresh grades B. Order an official transcript from that school for your folder C. Leave them off, since credit that old has expired

6. A new online school says it is "fully accredited" but you cannot find the accreditor's name on its site. What should you do?

A. Trust the claim, since schools cannot legally lie about it B. Look the school up in the U.S. Department of Education database first C. Enroll now and ask the school for proof after classes start

7. A school told you on the phone that your credits should transfer. You are about to sign up. What do you need first?

A. A second phone call where they repeat the same promise B. The admissions rep's name, so you can call back if needed C. A written credit evaluation listing what counts toward your degree

8. School A: 40 credits left at $300 each. School B: 25 credits left at $400 each. Which costs less in tuition to finish?

A. School A, because each credit is cheaper B. Both cost about the same C. School B, about $10,000 versus about $12,000

9. Pat is a veteran with GI Bill time left. Pat's job offers tuition help. Which order makes the most sense?

A. Job tuition help and grants first, GI Bill saved where it makes sense, loans last B. Loans, then the GI Bill, then the job's tuition help C. The GI Bill for everything now, since it is the biggest benefit

10. You want to know if your GI Bill can pay for a coding bootcamp. Where should you confirm?

A. The GI Bill pages on VA.gov, or a school certifying official B. The bootcamp's admissions team or its website C. A veteran in an online group who used the GI Bill

11. Your school says you have 24 credits left. With work and kids, you can handle 6 credits a term. How many terms should your plan show?

A. 4 terms B. 6 terms C. 2 terms

12. Your one page plan has a finish date but no other dates. What should you add to spot problems early?

A. Nothing more, since a clear finish date is all you need B. A later backup finish date, in case you fall behind C. Checkpoints, such as reviewing credits and money after each term

Save my starting point

Next up

Go to Lesson 1: Define the Target.

This self-check is not a grade and does not affect your access.