Customer Reviews

The CLEP History of the United States I w/CD (REA) - The Best Test Prep for the CLEP (Test Preps)

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I used just this book to prep for the exam, I read the material once, took the first practice test, then re-read the material and took the second and third tests. I then reviewed the answers and took the test. This was my first ever CLEP test. Be your own judge however when studying, if you are a good test taker then this book should do it all for you, if not then supplement with other material. The book does a great job of covering the material. I scored a 72 on the test. Hope that helps.

This book was key in my passing of the CLEP US History I exam. I read it from cover to cover and did the practice tests repeatedly until I got the answers correct.

The only shortfall of the book is that it doesn't cover the "antebellum" period to the level that matches the exam.

I suggest supplementing this book with instantcert.com flashcards and I also used sparknotes US History flashcards and timeline. In the end I found an old high school history textbook and used it to cement all the facts I had learned. Pay key attention to the order things happened and who intitiated certain acts and movements.

Overall, this book is a must-have for prepping. I passed with a 69.

For my RN-MSN program I needed to take 2 history courses ASAP. I had no desire to waste time sitting in a class room so I decided to try the CLEP exams. I took the US History exam yesterday. To be able to look at each test question and think " My gosh I know this" is a great feeling.
This book was the basis of my preparation; used in conjunction with Barons EZ 101 American History to 1877 and America A Narrative History. The REA CLEP book covered some topics in more depth than others but when used with the other references , I was more than prepared. The best part of this book is the practice exams and the answer explanations. Some of the practice questions were on my actual CLEP exam word for word others were rephrased but still strongly resembled the practice questions . This book is worth every penny and I have already purchased the REA CLEP book for the Western Civilization test that I will take in 4 weeks. When time is of the essence, you will find this book to be an excellent investment in your success.

I just took the clep exam and passed with a 68. HOWEVER!!! before you get excited and buy this book I felt grossly unprepared based on the material in this book. It was much harder then the practice test would lead you to think. If I had not researched on my own I don't believe I would have passed.


My study plan. ..(over a period of about 4 weeks)
I simply read the book completely then took the first test and got a 51. studied the "explanations" built into the test and then took test 2 and got a 60. Then I decided to make flash cards for all the questions within test one and two until I knew all of them cold. Then took test three and made a 80. I made more flash cards from test three. Then I checked out of the library a documentary on the civil war, and one on slavery. After that, I learned all the presidents, and what they did during their term in office (outside of this book of course).


What was on the test...
When I walked in I felt ready, yet when I saw the first question I thought "I'm in trouble." There were at least 10 questions about the "antebellum" period which is not covered in the book. There were 5-8 questions about Indian chiefs and what tribe they lead, and where they were in the US, and "what was 'x' tribe leader famous for saying". NOT one word in this book or on the three test about Indian chiefs. Several questions on women's rights at different periods. There were also a lot of questions about books, authors and social life during the pre-civil war time and pre-revolution period then I would have ever expected.

while I was studying I kept notes on where I got the information in case I wanted to go back. All and all I would say that if you know the book and practices test answers cold (as I did) and studied nothing else you will probably just barely make a 50 if you guess really well, as I felt I did (you may even fail).

It was the outside sources I believe give me the best prep. I specially could answer more questions from outside sources then from my prep within this book which is disappointing.

I give it three stars because I learned some interesting things about US History and for only about 100 pages of reading it covers a good bit of material. However, as a prep for the CLEP History, I don't think this book cuts it. You will have to study other material if you want to pass. One person said they had questions from this CD that were the same as on the actual clep exam. I just took it and there was only one question (out of 120) that I felt was similar to any of the 360 questions I had memorized. I may have just taken a different test.

My final advice... "DON'T BET YOUR SCORE ON THIS BOOK ALONE! A text book is probably your best bet, or at a minimal study the test questions, be familiar with all the treaties, which states are slave and free, famous authors, and know every thing there is to know about the colonies before the revolution in 1775!

How do you cover American History from the late 1400's to 1877 in about 120 pages? It's not possible to cover it all, and this book doesn't do that. But it does cover the high points and many items that are important in passing the CLEP exam. Much of the material covered was on the version of the CLEP that I got, and the material was covered in concise form.

The only complaint I have about this book is that the language is sometimes difficult and laborious to read. I guess I would classify it as "poor sentence structure." However, the material is there, and if you take your time reading it, you should get out of it what you need.

The tests on the accompanying CD were probably the best thing about this book. They are spot on as far as being similar to the material you should see on the real CLEP, and the format is similar enough that you will feel right at home when you take the real thing.

This book and the CD were my best weapon in passing this exam.

Some of the other REA CLEP studies are just ok. I bought this book and studied it 3 consecutive nights. Took the test. 66. I hadn't studied any history since high school. It worked ok for me. Dont sweat the test either, its easy.

This is all you need to pass this CLEP. I'm horrible with History and this is all I used to study. I read everything twice, took some notes, took the practice tests and read the explanations. I studied for 3 days (about 24 hours total) and did just fine on the test.

This book was a fairly good resource for passing the CLEP. They do recommend supplementing it with a textbook and I suggest you do so as well. The practice tests are great. They give a good feel for what the test is really like. Between this book and a supplemental review of a college text, you should be well prepared for the CLEP. I have used other REA books and although they have some obvious editing errors, they have all served as great resources for CLEPs, especially the practice tests.

I just took the test this morning. As others stated I had about 10 questions refering to the "antebellum" period. I read this book twice then took the practice tests on the computer several times. I passed with 60. I would recommend this book even though I didn't shop around.

Buy the book read it a few times take the computerized tests and you should do fine.

CLEPS save time and money.

Passed the test with less than a week of studying. The test was cake with the help of the Study guide, I did not use any other study material. I highly recommend it.