American Government Test info

[cobrajet]

Hello all:

I just took the American Government CLEP exam and passed with a 62, not a great score but not a bad one either. I guess any thing over 50 will work. This test is quite a bitch, and I would recommend avoiding it, for the simple reason that there are easier subjects to get the same 3 credits. However if you enjoy history, government and society this is the test for you.

My test started with very simple questions about the beginnings of government and the Constitution. It was such a snap for me that I almost had a false sense of security. However by question 10 the questions were electronically adjusted (probably based on my rapid initial string of correct answers) to be very difficult.

By question number 10 the questions themselves as well as all five multiple choice options changed from being straight forward and easy to read sentences to very verbose long paragraphs with extravagant verbiage. If you could imagine a professor drafting a test for another professor that would be a pretty fair comparison to what this was.

Fortunately I was very prepared for this test with the combination of books and DVD’s that I studied. I would recommend them to anyone interested in this exam and yes, I am now selling them.

Best of luck to all of you.

[beargins]

I just took it too, and scored 55. I studied Instant Cert, and read a college government book 3 days prior, and just went in to test the waters. I'm happy I passed. Just as you said, the first 5 questions, were easy and straight forward, but then things got very complicated. Id suggest studying 1-2 weeks hard, prior to taking this test, and understanding the material, not just memorizing court cases etc. That was my first clep, but from here on out, I plan to spend at least 7 days and fully immerse myself into the subject I test on.

Google for the university equivalent text book, then buy it used on amazon, older editions will work too!

The book I had is American Government 2008 Update edition. Gitelson, Dudley, Dubnick

Congrats cobrajet

[cobrajet]

Holly Moses; reading each question was like reading a short novel. Like everyone else I found the graphs, charts and twisted language upsetting. I should write CLEP with a novel idea; how about giving a test on the content of the exam (Amendments, Articles, court cases, structure etc..) Those charts and graphs are a time consuming joke.

My advice here is skip this one unless you are a fast reader with many patience. I like to ready and analyze what I have read, and it almost cost me big time. I skipped quite a few questions the first time around and planned on getting them later but I barley had time to finish.

Thank God that's over :puke:

[beargins]

One of my last graph questions was about California voter demographics, the graph was extremely straight forward, but I honestly think 2 of the possible answers were correct. I think they were both correct. Maybe I'm crazy, but yeah. the graphs did consume more time, I spent a couple of minutes on them just double and triple checking the words to make sure I read the questions right.

I recommend the clep only because its definitely material that every American should take the time to learn.

[ShotoJuku]

Hello all:

I just took the American Government CLEP exam and passed with a 62, not a great score but not a bad one either. I guess any thing over 50 will work. This test is quite a bitch, and I would recommend avoiding it,

Actually a 62 on the AmGvt exam is quite good as compared to other much lower scores, including those who miss hitting a 50 by a point or two. I would add however to others that "avoiding" the exam really isn't the best course of action, but a better degree of study is. Every exam can be a "bitch" (to each his [or her] own), it just takes a bit more focus to "bitch slap" the exam before it slaps you!

[cobrajet]

Actually a 62 on the AmGvt exam is quite good as compared to other much lower scores, including those who miss hitting a 50 by a point or two. I would add however to others that "avoiding" the exam really isn't the best course of action, but a better degree of study is. Every exam can be a "bitch" (to each his [or her] own), it just takes a bit more focus to "bitch slap" the exam before it slaps you!

Yes, you put that better than I did. What I meant was that if there was an option - take it. If no option exists nail it. :iagree:

[cobrajet]

I remember when I was in school a while back the tests they gave were very "cut and dried". Either you knew the material or not, there were llittle no trick questions (if any at all). That was a while ago. Now-a-days you have to check every word.

Thar's sharks in them thir waters