American Government Clep ~ 12/18/10

[RhodyJill]

Greetings all!

I am preparing for my CLEP exam in American Government. I am a bit nervous but this forum, along with IC flash cards, and the timed practice tests are giving me some comfort (and dare I say confidence).

Anyhow, just wanted to say thanks!
If anyone has any advice that hasn't been said in previous threads I am all ears!

Be well,
Jillian

[ShotoJuku]

[COLOR="Navy"]Hi Jillian,

Welcome to the IC-Forums-Classroom!

The AmGovt exam is one of those exams that seems to surprise many when they receive their score in that it is lower than expected. The exam is not a bear, but it can be a weasel.

Study well and good luck![/COLOR]

[targetoncleps]

I took the test a couple weeks ago and scored a 52. I knew the material by studying here on IC. I knew most of the questions but still scored low. Do not worry about your score and just get through it!!

[Storyteller]

I took the Govt. Clep right before Thanksgiving and got a 66. I didn't realize a score of 80 was 100 percent until the proctor exclaimed how well I had done. All I knew is that I was glad the test was over and that I had passed.
The test is weird. You memorize all these dates, people, acts, court cases, etc., etc. etc. And I can only remember there being one straightforward question and it concerned the term of representatives.
The test evaluates your understanding of what you know about American Government. It is less interested in your ability to memorize and more so about your ability to understand what elements, events or people contributed to a particular event.
On my test there seemed to be more concentration on 20th and 21st century Am. Govt. as opposed 18th and 19th century.
I would suggest knowing about the electoral college, congress, checks and balances between the 3 branches, the differences between all the modern political parties , the amendment process - proposal and ratification, and the modern political voting process as a whole.
I studied IC, took all 3 Peterson tests several times, read Constitution for Dummies, Amer. Govt. Cliff notes, watched Standard Deviants videos, Annenberg AM. Govt. videos. Just days before the test, I discovered the REA book and took the tests and learned a thing or two in the process.
BTW - I was worried about the graphs since I didn't do too well with them on Peterson's, but they were a piece of cake since the answers were more fact based than subjective.
All I can say is InstantCert and this forum gave me the confidence and the tools for taking this exam; something not available when I took my first and only Clep English Composition exam in 1999.
Thanks everyone!!!
Good luck, Jillian!
Jan

[aircav]

The part of the test that stuck out to me was know your supreme court cases, Plessey vs Ferguson, Miranda vs Arizona ect.

[lumpylump]

I took the test before I discovered InstantCert, but used the REA CLEP book, a copy of the US Constitution, and the Standard Deviants video to pass the exam. Like aircav pointed out, the Supreme Court cases were the trickiest questions for me.

Other potential useful bits-

American Government - CliffsNotes

U.S. Government : SparkCharts

[ryoder]

REA is a great resource and there are a lot of questions on supreme court cases the articles and the amendments. You must know the cases articles and amendments. Ex which amendment gave slaves their freedom. Which article sets up the rules for congress. Know the difference between a democrat and a republican on spending and government intervention.

[ACT1441]

Some people really hate the graphs but I personally love them. The answer to the question is staring right at you. Don't try to actually figure out a graph when you see one. That will totally screw you up. Instead look at each answer, then look at the graph and see if the graph supports the statement. Also, don't pick some general answer or an answer that supposes something not on the graphs...it will most likely be wrong. If you approach the graphs with a "hot damn- here's an easy point" mentality, then just work through each statement methodically, you will do fine on the graphs.

Good Luck!!

[js16]

I studied for a long time with Instacert for this test. I have a BS in History and I DID not pass it! It was crazy. I knew everything on Instacert backwards and forwards but it wasn't enought ot pass even with my History background. Make sure you add additional study material.

Greetings all!

I am preparing for my CLEP exam in American Government. I am a bit nervous but this forum, along with IC flash cards, and the timed practice tests are giving me some comfort (and dare I say confidence).

Anyhow, just wanted to say thanks!
If anyone has any advice that hasn't been said in previous threads I am all ears!

Be well,
Jillian

[CLEP101]

I was in the same boat two years ago. I studied the IC flashcards and the Specific Exam Forum until I learned them. I was very confident at the end of the test until I clicked the Report Score button and saw a score of 44. I walked out of the test center pretty upset.
Then about 8 months ago, I re-studied IC and the Specific exam feedback, watched a lot of FOX and CNN news politics, and also watched the Standard Deviants video series on American Government. I passed this the second time around with a 52. Not a high score, but a passing score.
Good luck on your test,