Taking the CLEP Exam

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.

Some 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.

CLEP Preparation Steps

The College Level Examination Program is an arm of College Board, which provides a way for speeding up the completion of college courses. Based on the institution’s guidelines, CLEP assessments can help learners generate college credits or postpone certain specifications if they have already designed proficiencies in certain subject areas.

Here are some steps to adhere to help guide your approach.

1. Check out the CLEP website – Now that you have read through the CLEP website, it’s a chance to find out which test(s) you should take. On the home-page of the CLEP website, there is a “Search Institutions” bar. Do this! There are 33 CLEP assessments available, but each college/university has a different approval policy. You do not want to take a test that will not be accepted by your college/university. Instead of getting the test, save the $80 and put it to good use elsewhere.

2. Verify your facts – It is not sensible to make presumptions about college policy based on third party information. Now that you are equipped with some baseline details, cross reference it with your institution’s course catalog and double check the registrar’s office to make sure the details found on CLEP web page is up to date.

3. Get ready for the test – When taking CLEP assessments, it’s important to plan in advance. It does not appear sensible to get $80 and not know what you are getting into. The College Board provides several 100 % free resources, many of which can be found in the internet.

4. Sign-up for the test – Registering for a CLEP test is probably the most convenient part of the process.

Not every college will promote their CLEP policy where it is readily available. CLEP tests can help learners facilitate their course completion, which could result in less income for the college, a fact that some organizations would like to cover up. CLEP tests can also be an affordable solution to taking summer classes, but it all depends on the college’s policy.

Should my kid use the CLEP assessments to get credit for college courses? This question resonates with many families looking to reduce the price of college. The CLEP program has increased in popularity over the last few years. Be home more, reduce costs and get college credit. Sounds like a win-win situation, but consider all the facts before moving head first into this new effort.

The College-Level Examination Program ® or CLEP is a program that allows learners of any age the chance to gain college credit through a series of examinations in undergrad higher teaching programs. Like AP programs, there are several advantages to doing well on CLEP assessments. The CLEP program is not necessarily used as replacement for college. Many learners take these assessments to prepare and improve their college experience.

Benefits:

Take fewer classes in college. You can get college credit for information you already know. If you have already studied a particular subject, you can route that information into college time and get credit for your secondary school information. CLEP-ing out of starter classes can also help you jump into the more advanced and interesting programs college has to offer.
Spend less cash on education and studying. CLEP examinations coast approximately $65, which is cheaper when compared to the price of college credit hour. CLEP examinations are also free to those who are serving in the army.
Finish your Degree. If you lack certain programs to be eligible for graduating, CLEP examinations can be great way to help you get those last few college hours.

Disadvantages:

Reliability of your degree. Many families have decided to have their kid do all their college work through some form of “distance learning” program. Although correspondence programs have grown in approval, many companies and institutions of higher learning are hesitant to accept these degrees as genuine.
Longer than you think. Some programs claim that a four year degree can be obtained in six months through accelerated studying and then CLEP-ing out of normal college classes. Don’t just take the word of someone who has written a book; do more research to find out if this is actually possible.