From the Back Cover
EARN COLLEGE CREDIT WITH CLEP – GET THE MOST COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE ON THE MARKET TODAY! CLEP Western Civilization I The Most Complete CLEP Western Civilization I Subject Review
Everything you need to know for the CLEP Western Civilization I exam. Comprehensive review chapters completely align with all the subjects tested on the exam.
The Best CLEP Western Civilization I Practice Exams Available
2 full-length CLEP Western Civilization I practice tests based on official CLEP exam questions released by the College Board.
Total Explanations of Questions & Answers
Each CLEP Western Civilization I practice test comes with detailed feedback on every question. We don’t just say which answers are right – but why the others are wrong – so you’ll be prepared for the CLEP Western Civilization I exam.
Proven Test-Prep Methods
REA’s focused content and practical advice have helped millions succeed on their exams. With our step-by-step plan, you can score high on the CLEP Western Civilization I exam and earn the college credit you deserve!
What is CLEP?
CLEP is the College Board’s credit-by-examination program for more than 30 subjects. Each exam passed earns the student between 3-12 credits at more than 2,900 colleges and universities in the U.S. and abroad. REA has the largest library of CLEP test preps that can help you earn college credit while saving you valuable time and money.
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About this book
This book provides you with complete preparation for the CLEP Western Civilization I exam. Inside you will find a concise review of the subject matter, as well as tips and strategies for test-taking. We also give you two full-length practice tests, which are based on the official CLEP Western Civilization 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 34 CLEP exams are computer-based. As you can see, the practice tests in our book are presented as paper-and-pencil exams. Even so, the content and format of the actual CLEP subject exam are faithfully mirrored. We detail the format and content of the CLEP Western Civilization I on pages xvii-xviii.
About the Exam
Who takes the CLEP Western Civilization I and what is it used for?
CLEP (College-Level Examination Program) examinations are typically 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.
There are two categories of CLEP examinations:
1. CLEP General Examinations, which are five separate tests that cover material usually taken as requirements during the first two years of college. CLEP General Examinations are available for English Composition (with or without essay), Humanities, Mathematics, Natural Sciences, and Social Sciences and History.
2. CLEP Subject Examinations, which include material usually covered in an undergraduate course with a similar title. The CLEP Western Civilization I is one of 29 subject examinations.
Who administers the exam?
The CLEP tests 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 Western Civilization I is administered each month throughout the year at more than 1,300 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 booklets CLEP Colleges and CLEP Information for Candidates and Registration Form. They are available at most colleges where CLEP credit is granted, or by contacting:
CLEP ServicesP.O. Box 6600Princeton, NJ 08541-6600Phone: (800) 257-9558 (8 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET)Fax: (609) 771-75088Website: 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.
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 in the front of this book. 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 one.
When should I start studying?
It is never too early to start studying for the CLEP Western Civilization I. 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
The CLEP Western Civilization I covers the material one would be taught in the first semester of a two-semester course in Western Civilization. The exam questions deal with the civilizations of Ancient Greece, Rome and the Near East; the Middle Ages; the Renaissance and Reformation; and Early Modern Europe.
The exam consists of 120 multiple-choice questions, each with five possible answer choices, to be answered within 90 minutes.
The approximate breakdown of topics is as follows:
8-10% Ancient Near East
15-17% Ancient Greece and Hellenistic Civilization
15-17% Ancient Rome
23-27% Medieval History
13-17% Renaissance and Reformation
10-15% Early Modern Europe, 1560-1648
ABOUT OUR COURSE REVIEW
The review in this book provides you with a complete background of all the important persons, events and developments of Western Civilization from ancient times through the first half of the seventeenth century. It will help reinforce the facts you have already learned while better shaping your understanding of the discipline as a whole. By using the review in conjunction with the practice tests, you should be well prepared to take the CLEP Western Civilization I.
Scoring your practice tests
How do I score my practice tests?
The CLEP Western Civilization I is scored on a scale of 20 to 80. To score your practice tests, count up the number of correct answers. This is your total raw score. Convert your raw score to a scaled score using the conversion table on the following page. (Note: The conversion table provides only an estimate of your scaled score. Scaled scores can and do vary over time, and in no case should a sample test be taken as a precise predictor of test performance. Nonetheless, our scoring table allows you to judge your level of performance within a reasonable scoring range.)
When will I receive my score report?
The test administrator will print out a full Candidate Score Report for you immediately upon your completion of the exam (except for CLEP English Composition with Essay). Your scores are reported only to you, unless you ask to have them sent elsewhere. If you want your scores reported to a college or other institution, you must say so when you take the examination. Since your scores are kept on file for 20 years, you can also request transcripts from Educational Testing Service at a later date.
Studying for the CLEP
It is very important for you to choose the time and place for studying that works best for you. Some students may set aside a certain number of hours every morning, while others may choose to study at night before going to sleep. Other students may study during the day, while waiting on a line, or even while eating lunch. Only you can determine when and where your study time will be most effective. But be consistent and use your time wisely. Work out a study routine and stick to it!
When you take the practice tests, try to make your testing conditions as much like the actual test as possible. Turn your television and radio off, and sit down at a quiet table free from distraction. Make sure to time yourself. Start off by setting a timer for the time that is allotted for each section, and be sure to reset the timer for the appropriate amount of time when you start a new section.
As you complete each practice test, score your test and thoroughly review the explanations to the questions you answered incorrectly; however, do not review too much at one time. Concentrate on one problem area at a time by reviewing the question and explanation, and by studying our review until you are confident that you completely understand the material.
Keep track of your scores and mark them on the Scoring Worksheet. By doing so, you will be able to gauge your progress and discover general weaknesses in particular sections. You should carefully study the reviews that cover your areas of difficulty, as this will build your skills in those areas.
Test-Taking tips
Although you may not be familiar with computer-based standardized tests such as the CLEP Western Civilization I, there are many ways to acquaint yourself with this type of examination and to help alleviate your test-taking anxieties. Listed below are ways to help you become accustomed to the CLEP, some of which may be applied to other standardized tests as well.
Read all of the possible answers. Just because you think you have found the correct response, do not automatically assume that it is the best answer. Read through each choice to be sure that you are not making a mistake by jumping to conclusions.
Use the process of elimination. Go through each answer to a question and eliminate as many of the answer choices as possible. By eliminating just two answer choices, you give yourself a better chance of getting the item correct, since there will only be three choices left from which to make your guess. Remember, your score is based on...
