CLEP US History 2 (review/rant)

[ncpenn]

I feel that I need to get this off my chest. I took the US History 2 CLEP today (I took the US History 1 as well). First some details:

1) I studied for one week
2) I studied the IC flashcards extensively. They were the backbone of my study. I also used the REA guide the AP US History study guide and notes from the exam specific thread.
3) I got a 71 on the test.

Now, I have no idea how I got that 71. I wasn't even sure if I passed when I pushed the submit grade button. I think I had to guess on about 40 out of 120 questions. In fact, I think the test was less about history than it was about historical trivia, and the amount of questions about literature seemed extreme too (somewhere about 15 questions) mostly about books and writers I've never heard of.

I really think the IC flashcards did a good job of teaching/reminding me of the subject, but that test . . . geez! (I didn't like it, in case you can't tell.) In short, I wish I would have been tested on more important history. I mean things like the Wright Brothers, Charles Lindbergh, and landing a man on the moon are huge parts of American history and there wasn't a single question on them (out of 120 questions).

Mostly, the questions seemed to be focused on what I'd consider the outlying issues (the Beatniks, Summer of Freedom, hippies, militant unions, etc).

But hey, I got three credits! :patriot:

[UptonSinclair]

Importance of history is subjective. I would place far more importance on labor history than the moon landing. Social Sciences will always be subject to the ideology of the historian.

I forgot to add: congratulations on a great score.

[sanantone]

I think that history trivia would be the basic recalling of dates and major events. The moon landing and Wright Brothers is something you learn in grade school. A deeper understanding of history at the college level should involve studying the social movements and how people actually thought/felt in a given period of time.