Customer Reviews

CLEP Biology (REA) with CD-ROM - The Best Test Prep for the CLEP Exam: with REA's TESTware (Test Preps)

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(12)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

I studied purely from the REA Biology Clep study guide, and I scored a 67 (50 needed to pass, 80 is perfect). I started with absolutely no knowledge of Biology, and I was able to pass by cramming for 3 days (about 4 hours per day). Therefore, if I were to reccomend a study guide without any kind of supplement, it would be the REA CLEP Biology Book. This book was very comprehensive, but there were topics covered in the test that I had not seen in this study guide.

I believe that if you have the capability to comprehend and apply concepts (not just memorize facts), you can do reasonably well on the CLEP with no other preparation than this guide. However, if you are the type who memorizes and has trouble generalizing/applying concepts, you may need more preparation that just this guide. That is a decision you will have to make for yourself. Consider reviewing a College-level Biology textbook along with this study guide for a more comprehensive approach.

I hope this review helps. Good luck with your test preparation, as the Biology CLEP is somewhat difficult.

This book is good for review before the CLEP General Biology Exam. The book is very short (only about 200 pages of review) so it doesn't cover details. The actual CLEP exam is a bit more difficult than the 3 practice exams that come with the book. Make sure you understand EVERYTHING in this book since as others have mentioned, this book covers only about 2/3 to 3/4 the material covered on the actual CLEP exam depending on which version of the exam you are given.

It may be beneficial to use this book in conjunction with other study aids, online sources, or a textbook to get more review/details if you wish.

I scored 80, 79, 80 on the 3 practice exams in this book (thoroughly understanding everything in the review sections) and I scored 69 on the actual exam January 22,2007.

(NOTE: Usually a score above 50 is passing. 80 is a perfect score.)

The book is great review to refresh your mind on the contents. Although if you don't remember much of biology you will definitely need more resources. The book has a great explanation on how the CLEP Test works and how to prepare yourself. For obvious reasons (the book is only a guide), the biology content is extremely concise and short. The most useful part of the book is the practices with explanations including the CD-ROM.

I would recommend the book as a good start for your studies. What also help me A LOT was the Biology podcasts from Itunes. They offer a full college biology course (around 30 video episodes) from Utah University for free. Those classes saved me!

Overall the book helped with the test.

The questions in the test prep were significantly simpler and shorter than those on the real test. I could finish the practice tests in half an hour with a score of ~75, whereas the real test required the full 90 minutes for the same score. The book and practice tests did not cover any "analytical" questions - where a chart or research project was explained and you had to answer 3 or 4 questions based on an interpretation of the results.

I would say approximately 25% of the material covered in the book was on the exam. If you don't already really know Biology, this book will not help. If you DO know Biology, the book will give you an edge, and probably improve your score somewhat.

CLEP Biology (REA) with CD-ROM - The Best Test Prep for the CLEP Exam: with REA's TESTware (Test Preps)

This is an extremely difficult CLEP test. I had taken 5 CLEP tests previous to this one and it was the most difficult. I used only this book and had no previous biology expreience. I scored around a 67 on the practice tests and got a 55 on the exam, so leave yourself about 10 points extra. I reccommend the REA books because they are all that I have used for 5 of the 6 CLEP tests that I have taken, and I have passed them all. Good luck.

I didn't follow the timelines they give in the book for studying. I only gave myself about a week to get through it. I especially liked the practice tests on the CD. They gave me a much better feel of the actual test than the paper answer sheets you get in other books. I didn't study anything else and got a 72 so I'm now a big fan of the REA CLEP series.

I took the CLEP biology last week and got a 72. I used this book and a 5 year old college biology text book to prepare.

The key to passing this exam is application. There are no questions where in you just recall the information. Nearly all the questions force you to apply the information to a situation.

This book was my primary source but the material here is just barely deep enough to be able to read the questions. You are not challenged by this book to apply the information. If you went through and memorized the book cover to cover but didn't fully understand you are most likely not ready to take the exam.

I do have a back ground in Human Anatomy (which has a small portion of overlap when it comes to cells and chemistry) and that was helpful with this exam. There are lab questions on this exam which are fairly tough and there is no information in REA's book regarding the lab portion. If you have no background in biology I strongly recommend you use a college text book!

If you insist on using the book alone I think it can be done but I recommend you give yourself a 12-15 point cushion. I.e. if you are scoring better than 65 (and you need a 50) on the REA's practice exams you may be ready for real exam.

I did this very gradually over the course of about 8 weeks.

The method I used to study was simple.

1. I read through the book once and took the first test. (which after taking the clep is clearly to easy).

2. read through the book again and then begin to ready the chapter summaries from the college text book.

3. took the other two exams (the last one is ONLY in the book not on the CD) as well as answer the questions at the end of each chapter looking up the answers to the ones I didn't know.

4. On the college board website there is a list of the material covered and it is a great representation of what is on the exam. If you understand the basics of every thing on that list, and you are passing the REA's exams you will be fine.

Every thing on the list seemed to be treated equally... in other words I didn't notice any one topic being covered significantly more than any other thing on that list. This list (from CLEP's office site) was my main guide for me deciding when I was ready to take the test.

Please note I didn't read the entire biology text book (it is huge) I only read the chapter summaries to make sure I get the main points and could answer most of the questions at the end of each chapter.

Good Luck!

I studied this book for about 5 weeks, didn't do too good on the practice exams: 59,63,69, but I took the test first week of August 2007, and passed with a 58!!

So, I have always hated biology, and nothing changed about that, but using this book, wikipedia, the Biology Clep Studyguide by Collegeboard (you can simply copy the 10-ish pages in a library) the AP Biology book (a MUST to help with the graphs and testcrosses), and various online simulations of meosis etc. (and of course massive prayer), I can say- It's doable!

The book gives you a great overlook of the big picture, but it crucial to know the details of all the major concepts.

I carefully scanned the product description and nowhere does it say that the CD-Rom is Windows ONLY! Forget about using it if you have a MAC.

I bought this and studied for 2 weeks. Took test, got a 50...the bare minimum to pass. The test was alot harder than the book. The book only prepared me for 10% of the test. I completely guessed on everything else. My suggestion is to find another resource.