Customer Reviews

CLEP Western Civilization I The Best Test Preparation for the CLEP Western Civilization I (REA)

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I did read Western Civilization, A Brief History, by Jackson J. Spielvogel, but this book is the one that helped me to pass this exam. I read the outline and detailed explanation of the answers in this book and repeated the practice tests until I was able to answer 110 out of 120 questions correctly. This book included information that relates to most of the actual CLEP exam questions, and I felt quite confident during the exam. I scored 68 and was very happy with my result.

I studied for three days using this book and the western civilization section of the official study guide. In this book there were pictures of art and architecture in the exam section that you had to indentify, in the actual clep there were only two that I can remember. Also in the exam section of this book lots of maps to indentify, don't get worried because on the actual clep, picture of the maps were so much better and there were only about three questions. I think if you've taken world history and or art history classes, you would fair well on this exam. I did pass with a score of 65.

I recently passed the CLEP Western Civ I exam with a 77 (out of a possible 80). I had used REA books in studying for the Humanities General and Natural Sciences exams and found them to be the best starting points for me. The Western Civ I book was different in that it wasn't just my starting point; it was virtually the only study resource I used for that test. What made this possible was the thorough and yet concise information found in this book, coupled with its straightforward approach.

The Western Civ I CLEP covers the period from the dawn of civilization (roughly 3,000 BCE) to the year 1648 -- nearly 4,700 years. By contrast, Western Civ II picks up in 1648 and goes to the present -- a mere 360 years.

To compress that much history into 352 pages (which includes two full-length practice exams and discussions of correct answers) is quite an accomplishment. To do so with clarity, and while preserving the contexts and transitions that are vital to the understanding needed to pass this test is a major feat.

There are no illustrations. You will need to Google search for maps, and for images of things like art and architecture.

The difficulty level of the practice exams was right in line with the actual test -- something that can't always be counted on with other CLEP preparation materials.

I would even go so far as to say you don't have to be preparing for the exam to benefit from this book. Anyone wanting a better understanding of the world could read this book first for a broad overview of who did what to whom and when and why, before moving on to more in-depth studies.

I used this book exclusively to pass the clep just yesterday. I redid the practice tests over and over again until I scored 113 out of 120. I passed with a 57. This is the third clep I have taken and passed. But this is the first test I took where I actually knew answers. Usually the test is totally different from what you study. Yes I guessed on some questions, but felt comfortable and this book is to thank.

I recently passed the Western Civ I CLEP at an "A" level after using this book as my only resource. In addition, I only had five days to prepare for the exam. The practice tests were a wonderful aid in my preparations, and the detailed explanations of answers were a condensed study guide for the questions I missed on the practice tests. The format is very reaqdable, and the entire book is user friendly. The only suggestion for improvement would be to put the test, answer sheets and score grid on tear-out pages to make them easier to use. Overall a five star+ product.

REA has possibly the best study material you can buy. I purchased this book about a month before taking the test and read it off and on and scored a 65. If I had been more earnest in my studies I'm sure I would have scored higher. So that part was all on me.

I read only this book and passed this clep. Although one of the more difficult clep exams (at least for me as I'm not into history), this book was more than adequate.

This is the second REA book I've used to study for a CLEP exam. (The first was Biology - I got a 63/80). I studied this book on and off for about 4 months. I probably put a total of 20-25 hours into it. I also used an old text book (just for maps and pictures - there really aren't many in this book other than in questions). As with all CLEP tests the questions weren't really like the ones in the practice exams in this book but the knowledge I gained from reading and taking notes from this book was enough to get me a 64/80. I haven't taken ANY history in over 15 years so I thought that was pretty good.

Wish I could return this, but I bought it before taking the class and now the 30 days is up - spend the extra $$ and get the latest edition - this one doesn't help w/the CLEP test. It gives an overview of the material, but if you actually want to learn about Western Civilization, this won't be enough information and you probably won't test well. The newer edition w/the CD is better for taking the test.

Like all of the REA guides I've used to study, this one gives a great overview of the information on the test. The practice tests are helpful and the answer explanations are also very useful.