{"id":290,"date":"2015-03-03T20:10:40","date_gmt":"2015-03-03T20:10:40","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/blog\/?p=290"},"modified":"2023-11-27T17:32:45","modified_gmt":"2023-11-27T17:32:45","slug":"the-10-things-you-need-to-know-to-pass-a-clep-exam","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mometrix.com\/blog\/the-10-things-you-need-to-know-to-pass-a-clep-exam\/","title":{"rendered":"The 10 Things You Need to Know to Pass a CLEP Exam [Report]"},"content":{"rendered":"

Let\u2019s face it, college can be daunting. Spending four or more years of your life listening to lectures and writing papers can be exhausting, not to mention figuring out how to pay for all of it. Whether you\u2019re trying to save time or cut costs, CLEP exams provide a powerful tool for completing your degree and achieving your goals.<\/p>\n

Why Take a CLEP Exam?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Taking a CLEP exam is like passing the final exam for a college class at the beginning of the semester, exempting you from the entire course.<\/strong> This means while your friends have to sit through lectures, write papers, complete projects, and study for exams, you are already working on another course. Plus, CLEP exams cost less than 10% of the cost of traditional courses. With that in mind, here are ten tips and tricks for exam success:<\/p>\n

1. Look at the Exam Outline<\/strong><\/p>\n

CLEP exams allow you to cash-in on knowledge obtained outside the classroom or in high school.<\/strong> While you may know a lot about American government from a high school class and personal study, the key is to understand the concepts covered on the American Government CLEP exam. Previously obtained knowledge is invaluable, but it needs to be evaluated in light of the test outline. Knowing the names of the last ten senators from Minnesota is great but will it be covered on the exam? Look at the outline and then begin studying particular areas where you are lacking.<\/p>\n

CLEP Test Outline Pins<\/a><\/p>\n

2. Know that a \u201cC\u201d is Good Enough.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Generally, only 50 out of 80 is needed to pass a CLEP exam, which comes out to a grade of 70%. The catch is that a CLEP test will appear as a \u201cP\u201d for \u201cpass\u201d on your transcript whether you get a 50 or an 80.<\/em> Since CLEP exams cover such a broad range of concepts, you are not expected to pass with flying colors. So don\u2019t stress over becoming an expert and know that even the science phobic can pass Natural Sciences.<\/p>\n

\"CLEP<\/a>
CLEP Flashcards<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

3. Use Flashcards for Key Terms<\/strong><\/p>\n

In college courses, every concept is assigned a name. It\u2019s not enough to understand the principles of a concept; you need to know the name of the concept. Flashcards are a proven medium to help you learn and retain those terms and their definitions.<\/strong> Flashcards derive their effectiveness from their ability to help you store terms in your long-term memory, eliminating the need to cram the night before the exam. Every time you run across an unfamiliar word, jot down the term and its definition on an index card. Then go through the flashcards a few times a day.<\/p>\n

4. Utilize the Review Button <\/strong><\/p>\n

When you are viewing a question during the exam and you are unsure of the answer choice you selected, click the review button.<\/strong> When you have answered all the questions, view any questions that you clicked the review button for and make corrections as needed. If you still have time after that, start at the beginning of the exam and review all of the questions.<\/p>\n

5. CLEP Study Guides<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"CLEP<\/a>
CLEP Study Guides<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

No amount of testing tips can replace the need to study for your exam. Even if you feel comfortable with the content, brushing up on key terms and concepts never hurt anyone. To save time, focus on using materials specifically designed for CLEP exam preparation.<\/strong> Sure, a business law textbook will cover relevant content for the Business Law CLEP exam, but it\u2019s prone to cover too many concepts. Furthermore, textbooks have a way of delving into nitty-gritty details. Since a CLEP exam covers an entire college-level course, you don\u2019t need to know the formula for determining currency appreciation. Rather, understanding the general concept will be sufficient for the Principles of Macroeconomics CLEP exam. A good CLEP study guide cuts through the fluff to teach you what you really need to know. A good study guide cuts through the fluff to teach you what you really need to know.<\/p>\n

6. Ask for Help<\/strong><\/p>\n

Deciding to take a CLEP exam doesn\u2019t relegate you to an island to study. Chances are, you know someone who has spent extensive time studying the material you are trying to master. Ask a friend, professor, or adult you know to help you understand concepts you are struggling with.<\/strong> Quick life insight: people love talking about themselves and subjects they know a lot about. Since your friend\u2019s life probably won\u2019t be on your exam, focus on the subject they know a lot about! A friend\u2019s help does not replace the need for a study guide, but it can give you a big study boost<\/p>\n

7. Take a Practice Test<\/strong><\/p>\n

Studying requires understanding a wide variety of concepts. So after you feel that you have covered the vast majority of content, <\/strong>it\u2019s time to take a practice test.<\/a> Practice tests help you identify the gaps in your knowledge. If you have been studying for the Biology CLEP exam, then you likely have an understanding of the cell. Taking a practice test will show that you don\u2019t know the function of mitochondria. Immediately, you can hone in your studying to focus on that gap in your knowledge. A few sample questions can be found on the test developer\u2019s website.<\/p>\n

CLEP Practice Test<\/a><\/p>\n

8. Answer Every Question<\/strong><\/p>\n

CLEP test takers are not penalized for wrong answers.<\/strong> Be sure to select an answer to every question, even if it means making a blind guess. If you are running out of time, selecting a random answer at least gives you a\u00a0shot at choosing the correct answer. If you don\u2019t select an answer, you will get the question wrong 100% of the time!<\/strong><\/p>\n

9. Use Guessing Strategies<\/strong><\/p>\n

Unlike a test a professor gives you, CLEP exams are not based on a single source.<\/strong> In other words, the CLEP exams are not developed from the lecture notes of a professor or a certain textbook. This means you will encounter a question or two that you are unfamiliar with. Relax, remain positive, and use the process of elimination to give yourself a better chance at success.<\/p>\n

10. Look for Hints in the Exam<\/strong><\/p>\n

Occasionally, a question in the exam will hint at the correct answer to another question.<\/strong> For example, one question might ask which branch of government interprets the laws. Then a future question might read, \u201cFrom which court case does the judicial branch derive its power to interpret laws?\u201d The second question has essentially answered the first question for you. You will rarely find an instance that straightforward, but nevertheless, test questions that cover similar content can give you hints.<\/p>\n

With those tips under your belt, you will be on your way to CLEP success!<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

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