Customer Reviews

CLEP Human Growth & Development (REA)-The Best Test Prep for the CLEP Exam (CLEP Test Preparation)

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(9)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Inasmuch this book covers the information on the clep exam, it fails to thoroughly explain many psychological concepts. (Refer to Santrock's Intro to Psychology for comprehensive explanations)Questions in sample tests are frequently confusing and lack clarity.

I took the clep in August of 2000. There were NO questions on the brain, eyes or ears. Primary focus was on the theories of Piaget, Erikson and Freud. In addition to the aforementioned theorists, have a complete understanding of classical conditioning, operant conditioning and all the consequences attributed to an underpriveleged childhood.

P.S. Know PKU

I did the CLEP exam today. I studied this book and did all the tests at the end, but also followed the advice of previous reviews and read other Psyc books. I did not do marvelously in the test, but I passed with 10 points to spare. So yes, it is great to use the practice exams and see which areas you need to brush up on, but definitely use supplement material - I used "Infants, Children and Adolescents" by Laura E. Berk, and found it very helpful and detailed (as well as interesting). Know the major psychologists and theories, and some biology.

This was the only book I used to prepare for the CLEP exam, and I passed with a 71! The great thing about this book is that it presents all the necessary material in a condensed format. I studied about 2-3 hours a day for 2 weeks before the exam, and that seemed to be enough.
The practice exams at the end of the book have some questions that weren't addressed in the review section. Don't let that worry you too much, though. If you know the review material inside and out, you should be able to pass the exam.
I also highly recommend buying the sample exam from the CLEP website. This was more representative of the actual exam in my case.

I read this book cover to cover and paid attention to the detailed answers in the back. I also supplemented this with a college textbook, which I don't believe I needed...probably wasted my time. CLEP tests are not that difficult; they're well worth the $50 or so. I passed with 16 points above the required 50 and had 42 minutes left on the clock. I saved $350 and spared myself the 3 hours a week in the classroom plus study time. Be sure to make educated guesses on the questions you don't know, points aren't deducted for wrong answers anymore - who knows, you may even guess correctly!!

Try it - I'm sure you'll pass, too! Good luck!

I did pass the exam. But a lot of the material in the book is not even covered in the exam. I would avoid the whole section on the brain,ears and skeletal system. Fortunately, I went to the collegeboard.com site and downloaded the study guide for that exam. I realized that only 5-7% of the exam dealt with the brain/ear so I didn't even bother to study for it.
My advice would be to get the study guide from their website and use that as a guide. Good Luck!

I think this book was helpful in preparing for the Clep, but was not indepth enough in some areas (Psych) yet over concentrated in others (Biology). I ended up supplimenting the book and felt very comfortable taking the test. Note: the book does not explain that you can skip some questions on the test, rather than lose points to a question you have no best answer for.

I studied for only 3 weeks - mainly during lunch. I read this book and divided my study based on my time and the course curriculum as defined by CLEP. I got 56. The Pass score is 50.

Most of the questions in the actual exam were not from the practice tests in the book. I also signed for practice tests from Prometric. Those tests only helped me understand the type of questions in the actual exam. Questions were more essay type. About 70% of course is covered in the book. Also, questions are not direct but indirect references to the subject matter. No questions about names of scientists with theories or about ear/eye.

Lots of questions were basic biology about genes and chromosomes.

My recommedation would be to study some textbook alongside studying from this study guide to score above average scores.

I found this book to be very helpful and manageable. I started studying intensively 2 weeks before the exam and scored 17 points above the required 50. I would recommend using a textbook for the clarification as needed. The book was adequate in discussing Piaget, but it's well worth the extra effort to review a textbook. I also thought the practice exams were more difficult than the actual CLEP exam. So if you can pass the 3 practice exams, the real thing should be a breeze.

I read the book twice, a chapter or two at a time during my lunch hour, and worked the review questions on the weekends until I felt comfortable with the material. It took me approximately two months. The bottom line is I wouldn't have passed the test without this book; it was my only real study guide. I knew very little on the topic when I started reading and in the end scored twelve points above the minimum needed. Just so you know...there were several topics on the exam that I did not see in the book, most were, but not all.

Best of luck to you...

I took the clep and passed with a 59. I would not have passed without this book. Study and know the different theories, particularly Piaget. The overall test was not as easy as some have described.If you study and learn the contents of this book you will pass. Definately recommended.