College Comp

[pkmoose]

I would like to take this test this week, but am concerned with the essay portion. Does anyone have a decent example of what they are looking for that you would be willing to let me look at? I understand the 5x5 and some other basics, but I do wonder how long the essay should be, should it be very specific, etc...
Any other tips on this test with essay would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance.

Moved from Specific Feedback Only.

[cooperalex2004]

I'm scheduled to take the College Comp Exam on Friday (the regular one, not modular) and thought I'd pass along this link:

College Composition | CLEP

Toward the bottom it discusses the essays. There test contains 50 questions in 50 minutes, a 30 minute essay in response to a prompt, and a 40 minute essay which requires citation based on two source materials they provide.

They grade the essays twice a month and then send out a score report after that.

The best example of what they are looking for is in their Official Study Guide. It contains example prompts, scoring details, and example essays which show how they score them. It is way to much for me to type out but essentially you will provide the best written essay you can in the given time. Their scoring focuses on organization, language use, grammar, and that you address the topic given "effectively and insightfully".

On the second essay make sure to cite your sources, take a position in response to the question (instead of summarizing the two sources), link the sources to your position, and of course throw in the proper grammar too. *Source: CLEP Study Guide - College Composition

The essays in the book that are scored with a six (highest score) are five paragraphs but length is not necessarily a factor (and isn't listed in the scoring table). They gave a 4/6 to a three paragraph response so I'd say try for the five paragraph format and you should be good.

If you want a full breakdown on the scoring or see the examples then the only way I've found is to purchase either the single exam guide ($10) or buy the annual book which has all of the tests in it. For other CLEP tests information seems easier to get but in this case the information from sites like Free-Clep-Prep is based on the old test format and not the updated format of two essays.

Good Luck.

[pkmoose]

Thanks for the info

[LaterBloomer]

Pkmoose,

Did you write your post? Did you use a grammar or spell checker before you posted? If not, don't worry. You write well enough to pass. May I suggest that you focus on writing QUICKLY? That was the hardest part for me. In my opinion, my writing was not tight, and was close to incoherent. The spelling and grammar were acceptable, as was my use of citations. You appear to write well, now just make sure that you can do it quickly. Good luck.

[Publius]

On my CLEP I “finished” each essay with seconds to spare... literally seconds. The first one had 4 paragraphs, the second 5.
I ended up passing the CLEP with a total score of 58. It is not necessary to do a 5x5, but is a good rule of thumb.

On the essay section of the College Composition they are looking to see if you’re capable of writing at a college level. They aren’t going to be looking for length as it would impossible to write up a multiple pages worth of information in the given time. I would concentrate rather on:

-Good Technique with Varied Style (sprinkle you’re essay with a proper formate, topic sentences, opening and concluding paragraphs, using different sentence openers, accompanied with some higher vocabulary, adverbs and adjectives, bringing in different phrases and clauses)
-Proper Mechanics (quite important! Make sure citing is perfect, spelling correct, and if possible try not to split infinitives, etc. )
-Persuasive Thesis (They want you to pick a side and support... doesn’t necessarily matter which side as long as you’re not on the fence)
- Writing fast and efficiently!!


What I’d recommend in preparation for the essay part:

You can’t write/type enough essays (timed of course) in preparation. (keep spell checker off during writing then turn it on when done)
Get familiar with a form of citing in your preparation. They want to see you cite, and cite properly, on your essays, so do it in you’re practice essays as well.

When taking the exam:
I’d recommend taking some scratch pieces of paper before the test (2-3). During the multiple choice section jot down some of the vocabulary, phrases, forms of citing etc..
You’re not given a lot of time for you’re essays so take a piece of scratch paper and either before the entire test, or right before your essay portion, take 30 seconds to jot down 2 outlines before you start your essay.

Just writing down the numbers for your outline can save 30 seconds which if you’re like me, will use every last nanosecond, whether to write another sentence, proofread a paragraph etc.. But DON’T blow off using an outline... it may seem like a waste of time but it really does organize your thoughts, keep your plan in focus, and keep you on track.

Another note... I'm also not an excellent speller. When I was going through the multiple choice section I was jotting down vocabulary that was catching my eye that I could use in my essay. I may of only used 25% of the words I jotted down, but that was also helpful on the spelling and vocabulary end of things.

[BGSU_Alum_86]

I have to comment to one issue brought up in Publius' post. You SHOULD NOT be writing anything on scratch pieces of paper and then planning to take them to your testing computer. This is not allowed! The test center is supposed to supply the scratch paper. Yes, it is completely up to you if you would like to write vocab, etc., during the multiple-choice part of the exam. As long as your exam timer is counting down, you can write on the scratch paper. A report is supposed to be filed if you are caught writing anything during the tutorial or before your exams/after multiple-choice time is over. I don't think anyone would want their score voided by CLEP, so just make sure you are only making use of actual test time (timer should be on your screen and actually counting down, otherwise you are not in test time).

[LaterBloomer]

BGSU_Alum_86,
The way I read the post, Publius was recommending writing words down from the test, not bringing notes to the testing site. (BIG no no.) Publius made a good point that I forgot. While I did an outline for my second essay, it was the first time. I hadn't practiced doing the outline, and then doing the writing before I took the exam. I STRONGLY suggest that you practice doing that for the test. Time is flexible in the sense that if a dentist is drilling for sixty seconds, those sixty seconds are loooooooooooooong. If I'm writing in a time-controled environment, those sixty seconds go by in the blink of an eye. Practice. It will help your writing, and help your confidence. Best of luck.

[Publius]

I have to comment to one issue brought up in Publius' post. You SHOULD NOT be writing anything on scratch pieces of paper and then planning to take them to your testing computer. This is not allowed! The test center is supposed to supply the scratch paper. Yes, it is completely up to you if you would like to write vocab, etc., during the multiple-choice part of the exam. As long as your exam timer is counting down, you can write on the scratch paper. A report is supposed to be filed if you are caught writing anything during the tutorial or before your exams/after multiple-choice time is over. I don't think anyone would want their score voided by CLEP, so just make sure you are only making use of actual test time (timer should be on your screen and actually counting down, otherwise you are not in test time).

BGSU_Alum_86,
The way I read the post, Publius was recommending writing words down from the test, not bringing notes to the testing site. (BIG no no.) Publius made a good point that I forgot. While I did an outline for my second essay, it was the first time. I hadn't practiced doing the outline, and then doing the writing before I took the exam. I STRONGLY suggest that you practice doing that for the test. Time is flexible in the sense that if a dentist is drilling for sixty seconds, those sixty seconds are loooooooooooooong. If I'm writing in a time-controled environment, those sixty seconds go by in the blink of an eye. Practice. It will help your writing, and help your confidence. Best of luck.

Sorry for the confusion... I was not advocating bringing in paper (with or with out information on it). LaterBloomer caught my intention... To clairfy, the time you have left over from your multiple choice section can be used to prepare your outlines on scratch papper that your testing proctor will provide you.

[pkmoose]

Thanks for all the help. I am going to take this test today and cross my fingers. I am doing well on the multiple choice... Peterson's I'm scoring 70+, just a bit worried about the essay portion with format and with the time limit hanging over my head.
Once again, thank you all.

[pkmoose]

Just finished this CLEP. It is pretty much what everyone has said about this test. The multiple choice questions were not too horrible, should be doable with InstaCert. The essay portion was pretty rough. The first topic I went along with pretty well... I formatted the essay into 1 paragraph for the Introduction, 4 paragraphs for the Thesis and a Conclusion paragraph. I felt comfortable with the assignment / topic presented.

Number two essay was pretty rough as you have to read two sources, two opinions and form your own. I followed the same format as the first essay and thought it went decent. I did run out of time at the end. I had about 2 minutes left and no Conclusion paragraph... I kind of freaked and put down something like "This is how it is, I proved it and you will like it"... lol...

So now comes the wait... fingers crossed.