Analyzing and Interpreting Literature Test

[daniel74b]

I am scheduled to take the analyzing and interpreting literature course on Tuesday. Any advice?

~Daniel

[Tasman]

Here's some advice.
1. Do a search of the forum.
2. Join IC and check out the specific exam feedback.
3. Do a search of the forum

[Merlin]

Know your literary terms, take practice tests, and put in as much time as you can reviewing scholarly analysis of poetry and plays and comparing notes against your own interpretation. Not much else you can do to "study" for this, its more about critical reading. If you review a lot of material though you may be lucky and find that some of the questions on the test were covered in your review, which gives you a bit of a leg up.

[Storyteller]

Keep track of the clock on this one!
Interpretation and terminology are important, however, be prepared to read FAST. Time is the enemy of this test. Therefore, don't dawdle any longer than necessary. Unless you absolutely have to, don't read the entire passage. Focus on the questions and look for the answers.
Also, be sure the computer screen at the test center is giving you the largest possible view. When I took the test, the viewing area was very small and I did a lot of scrolling up and down. This is definitely not good with regards to comprehension. I'm positive this smaller window affected the outcome of my score (68).
Despite the anxiety over this crazy clockwatching test, getting 6 credits is verrrrry sweeeeeetttttt!!!!!!!
Good luck & may God bless.....

[clep3705]

Time is the enemy on this test. There is plenty of feedback in these forums. Use search and read all about it. You may want to take the Peterson's practice tests. Many people take this test with no preparation whatsoever and make high scores. If you have a basic knowledge of literary terms, then you are probably as ready as you can be. Either you can interpret literature or you can't. Not much you can do to change that.

[Merlin]

Either you can interpret literature or you can't. Not much you can do to change that.

I don't agree entirely... I'm one of the folks who had a hard time with this test initially because I don't really enjoy reading classical literature and tend to be a very passive reader in general (since most of my reading was for pleasure before I decided to go back to school.) My first practice test scored very low (plus I didn't even finish), so I had an uphill battle to teach myself better habits and introduce myself to interpretation. It took me a few weeks of reviewing terms, repetition of tests, and reading sample literary material, but it eventually clicked for me, and I was able to move forward. Speed was an issue as well, especially a the beginning, but once I got it, I think I made progress quickly. I ended up getting a 76 on the test and finished with like 10 minutes left or something like that.

So, it is something you can teach yourself, but it may take a lot of dedication to do so if it doesn't come easily. Heck most high school students have to take a class in this (I don't remember having done so personally, but I'm led to believe it is commonplace) so it is something one can learn.

[GoodtoGo]

Keep track of the clock on this one!

I agree completely with Storyteller's comment about time management. For me, this was not that difficult of a test, but it the only CLEP test that it took me almost the full amount of allotted time. Lots of reading & re-reading. I found it helpful to read the questions first that pertained to the passage, because then when I read it some of the answers just jumped out at me.

[CLEP_enthusiast]

I'm thinking about taking this test, can't believe it's worth 6 credits! That would take me at a whole year to get in the classroom! (As my institution doesn't offer accelerated literature classes)

I did the sample questions on the CLEP site and thought they were pretty easy. 1st asked me about rhyme schemes, which I didn't understand completely, it seems to be the more something sounds like a rhyme it's an A in the rhyme scheme for something that is away from a rhyme is B and the next one is C. Pretty logical for poetry...I read that definition then got it right.

2nd question was an interpretation question on a stanza. So easy. 3 rd question was "Who wrote this poem?" didn't know that one.

Anybody who took the test, how much would you say is hard facts and how much is literature interpretation? I have the latter down, but only moderately knowledgeable about who wrote what, in what era and the significance. Are these questions indicative of the ones found on the test? Thanks, you guys are helping me gain credit for things I already know.

[Storyteller]

It's worth joining Instantcert for the recommendations you can find in the Feedback forum - Although there are no test questions, etc., you can find direction with regards to Analyzing & Interpreting and most other tests. As I remember, I left feedback concerning Amer. Lit.
Concentrate your studies on well-known writers in a wide range of centuries both here U.S. and abroad. Lots of interpreting on this exam.
Good luck.

[jackbanta]

I have the latter down, but only moderately knowledgeable about who wrote what, in what era and the significance.

There's basically none of that on the test and only a handful of questions about literary devices. The rest is all interpreting (and analyzing, fancy that!). Go take a Peterson's practice exam and if you can score above 60 percent, go and sit the CLEP!