English CLEP Exam: Essay Guide

At this point, you’ve decided to either take the Freshman Composition CLEP exam or English Composition CLEP with essay. Perhaps, you’ve practiced making essays for various topics. Now you wonder: what are the topics in the CLEP exam include?

It’s only natural to feel intimidated for the CLEP Exams. The essay questions need to be answered in one hour and 10 minutes (70 minutes). Preparation may be the key to passing, but without knowing what these essays focus on – all would be futile. By being able to understand what are the possible topics in the essay, you’ll be able to maximize your performance and pass.

The essay is divided into two parts and each has its own different focus. Essay question number one lets you draw experiences, opinion, and knowledge about a certain topic. In the second essay, you are given 40 minutes to read two passages. The questions Is more on reading comprehension – level of understanding based on what you read. The key to answer these questions is to cite a quote or idea from the passage. Then, expound the quote.

Sometimes, participants have a hard time organizing their thoughts with the pressure of completing before the time. You can efficiently utilize your writing time by making an outline. In a separate or scratch paper, organize your ideas and make an outline. Decide what idea or information you’d like to include in the introduction, body, and conclusion.

Along with well-organized ideas and concepts, the CLEP Exam also assesses each student’s vocabulary. Use words that perfectly conveys the message you want to convey. Do not use filler words – nice, very, so, and quite) as often. Unless you’re certain, you are able to use words in their correct context.

The Easiest CLEP Examination

The CLEP exam is probably one of the most well known examinations here in the United States. It is recognized by almost all colleges and universities and grants many credits for each test. Students take the examination to get the chance to get a credit by getting a good score. There are those who can get a good passing score, but there are still some who don’t. Some tests are just too hard and will require a huge background and understanding about the topic.

CLEP examinationSome say that the “Analyzing and Interpreting Literature CLEP” test is the easiest because the subject is known to many and very familiar. Most of the topics had been covered in high school and have been shown in the television or movies. This test is probably easier for those native English speakers because the tests use poetic terms which might be new to some; although many will disagree. There are people who say that the Humanities CLEP test is the easiest, but some will say that it is one of the hardest along with the Accounting test.

To get you out of confusion on what really is the easiest test, let just say that it depends on your background, your likes, and on what topics you are more familiar or interested. If you are more of a business-minded person and have a business background, you may have a great score in Marketing. And if you are a history maniac, you may have a great score in Western Civilization exams. Generally, the CLEP exam is pretty manageable and easy as compared to the DSST. However, it will still depend on your preparations. No matter how easy the exam is, if you haven’t prepared enough, you will still have a bad score. No exam is hard as long as you put enough effort and focus. The best advice will be to take the test that interests you most and that will fulfill your degree requirements.