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Chapter 1: PASSING THE CLEP HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES I EXAM
ABOUT THIS BOOK
This book provides you with complete preparation for the CLEP History of the United States I Computer-Based Test, or CBT. Inside you will find a concise review of the subject matter, as well as tips and strategies for test-taking. We also give you three practice tests--all based on the official CLEP History of the United States I exam. Our practice tests contain every type of question that you can expect to encounter on the actual exam. Following each practice test you will find an answer key with detailed explanations designed to help you more completely understand the test material.
All CLEP exams are computer-based. As you can see, the practice tests in our book are presented as paper-and-pencil exams. The content and format of the actual CLEP subject exams are faithfully mirrored. We detail the format of the CLEP Hisotry of the United States I exam on pages 4-5.
ABOUT THE EXAM
Who takes the CLEP exam and what is it used for?
CLEP (College-Level Examination Program) examinations are usually taken by people who have acquired knowledge outside the classroom and wish to bypass certain college courses and earn college credit. The CLEP is designed to reward students for learning - no matter where or how that knowledge was acquired. The CLEP is the most widely accepted credit-by-examination program in the country, with more than 2,900 colleges and universities granting credit for satisfactory scores on CLEP exams.
Although most CLEP examinees are adults returning to college, many graduating high school seniors, enrolled college students, military personnel, and international students also take the exams to earn college credit or to demonstrate their ability to perform at the college level. There are no prerequisites, such as age or educational status, for taking CLEP examinations. However, because policies on granting credits vary among colleges, you should contact the particular institution from which you wish to receive CLEP credit.
Most CLEP examinations include material usually covered in an undergraduate course with a similar title to that of the exam (e.g. Introductory Sociology). However, five of the exams do not deal with subject matter covered in any particular course but rather with material taken as general requirements during the first two years of college. These general exams are English Composition (with or without essay), Humanities, College Mathematics, Natural Sciences, and Social Sciences and History.
Who administers the exam?
The CLEP exams are developed by the College Board, administered by Educational Testing Service (ETS), and involve the assistance of educators throughout the United States. The test development process is designed and implemented to ensure that the content and difficulty level of the test are appropriate.
When and where is the exam given?
The CLEP History of the United States I exam is administered each month throughout the year at more than 1,400 test centers in the United States and can be arranged for candidates abroad on request. To find the test center nearest you and to register for the exam, you should obtain a copy of the free booklet Information for Candidates and Registration Form. It is available at most colleges where CLEP credit is granted, or by contacting:
CLEP Services
P.O. Box 6600
Princeton, NJ 08541-6600
Phone: (800) 257-9558 (8 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET Monday to Friday)
Fax: (609) 771-7088
Website: www.collegeboard.com/clep
Military Personnel and CLEP
CLEP exams are available free of charge to eligible military personnel and eligible civilian employees. The College Board has developed a paper-based version of 14 high-volume/high-pass-rate CLEP tests for DANTES Test Centers. Contact the Educational Services Officer or Navy College Education Specialist for more information. Visit the College Board website for details about CLEP opportunities for military personnel.
Eligible U.S. veterans can claim reimbursement for CLEP exams and administration fees pursuant to provisions of the Veterans Benefits Improvement Act of 2004. For details on eligibility and submitting a claim for reimbursement, visit the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs website at www.gibill.va.gov/pamphlets/testing.htm.
SSD Accommodations for Students with Disabilities
Many students qualify for extra time to take the CLEP History of the United States I exam, but you must make these arrangements in advance. For information, contact:
College Board Services for Students with Disabilities
PO Box 6226
Princeton, NJ 08541-6226
Phone: (609) 771-7137 Mon. - Fri., 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Eastern time)
TTY: (609) 882-4118
Fax: (609) 771-7944
E-mail: ssd@info.collegeboard.org
HOW TO USE THIS BOOK
What do I study first?
Read over the course review and the suggestions for test-taking, take the first practice test to determine your area(s) of weakness, and then go back and focus your study on those specific problems. Studying the reviews thoroughly will reinforce the basic skills you will need to do well on the exam. Make sure to take the practice tests to become familiar with the format and procedures involved with taking the actual exam.
To best utilize your study time, follow our Independent Study Schedule, which you'll find on page 10. The schedule is based on a four-week program, but can be condensed to two weeks if necessary by collapsing each two-week period into a single week.
When should I start studying?
It is never too early to start studying for the CLEP History of the United States I exam. The earlier you begin, the more time you will have to sharpen your skills. Do not procrastinate! Cramming is not an effective way to study, since it does not allow you the time needed to learn the test material. The sooner you learn the format of the exam, the more time you will have to familiarize yourself with it.
FORMAT AND CONTENT OF THE CLEP EXAM
The CLEP History of the United States I exam covers the period of American History from the Spanish and French colonizations to the end of Reconstruction. The primary emphasis of the exam is on the English colonies and the early period of the nationhood.
There are 120 multiple-choice questions, each with five possible answer choices, to be answered within 90 minutes.
The approximate breakdown of topics is as follows:
35% - Political institutions and behavior and public policy
25% - Social developments
10% - Economic developments
15% - Cultural and intellectual developments
15% - Diplomacy and international relations
Approximately one-third of the questions focus on the period from 1500 to 1789, while the rest deal with the period from 1790 to 1877.
ABOUT OUR COURSE REVIEW
The history review in this book covers all major events and historical figures from the early Spanish and French colonizations up to Reconstruction. The review is divided into seven major time periods:
1. The Colonial Period (1500-1763)
2. The American Revolution (1763-1787)
3. The United States Constitution (1787-1789)
4. The New Nation (1789-1824)
5. Jacksonian Democracy and Westward Expansion (1824-1850)
6. Sectional Conflict and the Causes of the Civil War (1850-1860)
7. The Civil War and Reconstruction (1860-1877)
SCORING YOUR PRACTICE TESTS
How do I score my practice tests?
The CLEP History of the United States I is scored on a scale of 20 to 80. To score your practice tests, count up the number of ...
