Humanities Exam and Flashcards Question

[retake]

I'm currently studying for the Humanities CLEP and I'm having a tough time memorizing names. If I see the name in a list (i.e. multiple choice), I can recall the answer. However, I find fill in the blank much more difficult.

Also, I can recall the name of a writer/poet/playwright after seeing the titles of his or her work. However, I can't recall what novels, plays, or poems they have written just by seeing their name. Would I be better off studying the IC flashcards in the format in which they are written, or should I work backwards?

I've already taken and passed English Comp w/ Essay, Social Science & History, and Natural Science, but I'm finding this test to be the most difficult to study for. Plus, the subject matter is extremely boring, at least for me.

[auburngal_india]

I have started to study for Humanities too. I got some good advice ... take American Lit, English Lit, or A&I Lit before this one. Since 50% of this test is literature.

I think what I will end up doing is making myself a set of flashcards and having my brother tell me the author, I'll name the work - then he'll tell me the work and I'll name the author. (and the same for film, art, dance etc) If you do it both ways I think that will help - that's what I did for English Lit.

India

[Ruddigore]

I'm currently studying for the Humanities CLEP and I'm having a tough time memorizing names. If I see the name in a list (i.e. multiple choice), I can recall the answer. However, I find fill in the blank much more difficult.

Also, I can recall the name of a writer/poet/playwright after seeing the titles of his or her work. However, I can't recall what novels, plays, or poems they have written just by seeing their name. Would I be better off studying the IC flashcards in the format in which they are written, or should I work backwards?

I would study the IC flashcards as-is. Do them until you can remember the fill in the blank answer. What I did was whenever I can across someone I had never heard of (and there were definitely cards like that), I looked it up on Wikipedia. I probably did more Wikipedia searches studying for Humanities than I've ever done in my life. This form of self-study encourages memory retention -- at least, that's what I found.

These are the sources I used:
• InstantCert (IC) flash cards
• Kaplan practice exam
• Peterson’s practice exam
• Princeton Review practice exam
• Two REA practice exams
• An art history book, which I gave a cursory reading
• Wikipedia

There is a lot to cover for this test. Take your time studying. It is better to be over-prepared than under-prepared. Once you finish IC, take some practice tests and you should be ready to go.

Plus, the subject matter is extremely boring, at least for me.

What??? Boring? Well, I suppose we're all different.

[wengell]

I have been studying for the past couple of weeks for the Humanities CLEP and was hesitant to post anything until I took the test. I had very little background in the subjects, but from using this site and a variety of other material: CLEP official study guide, 1992 version of Comex CLEP review book, Barron's, Princeton and Peterson's website along with IC, I somehow passed with a 64.
So if I can do it anyone should be able to pass. Keep going over the material and do all the practice tests you can find. The more diverse information you can find the better able you are to understand the variety of subject matter. The Peterson tests were very difficult, so don't judge yourself from what you score on their tests.

Good luck to both of you on the test!

[nick94]

I have been studying for the past couple of weeks for the Humanities CLEP and was hesitant to post anything until I took the test. I had very little background in the subjects, but from using this site and a variety of other material: CLEP official study guide, 1992 version of Comex CLEP review book, Barron's, Princeton and Peterson's website along with IC, I somehow passed with a 64.
So if I can do it anyone should be able to pass. Keep going over the material and do all the practice tests you can find. The more diverse information you can find the better able you are to understand the variety of subject matter. The Peterson tests were very difficult, so don't judge yourself from what you score on their tests.

Good luck to both of you on the test!

Congrats on the Pass!