Natural Science CLEP questions

[NAP]

Hi!

I am taking the practice tests for the Natural Science CLEP.

One of the REA tests had 60 questions out of 120 that were reading passages and then answering 2-3 questions about each.

The first Peterson’s did not have any passage reading.

I am trying to decide what the best use of my time is for the real exam. (I might skip the passages and go back to those at the end. I need to make sure I leave enough time for them, though.)

Does anyone remember if there is a lot, some, or no passage reading on the exam?

Also, did they provide a periodic table?

Thanks for your help!

[Kelsey]

Hi!!
I took this CLEP 5-6 weeks ago and passed with a 56! I remember a lot of reading passages in the REA book as well, but on the actual test I think there may have been only one or two at the most! But just because there weren't alot of reading passages doesn't mean that the material in those passages should be skipped over! I remember reading some information in those reading passages that actually were on the test but not in a passage form, just a straight up question!

They do not give you a periodic table to work with! I memorized the main Elements and there symbols. There were a couple questions that you really had to just know the elements and have there order, valence electrons, etc. memorized and unfortunately I did not know all of this so just made the best guess I could! It was more on the lines of advanced chemistry if you ask me!

Another helpful thing to know is the different time periods--Precambrium, Mesozoic, etc. There were a few questions on that! Not as many gene and Punnett Square questions as I thought there would be, only 1 or 2. I remember several questions over hereditary diseases and sickle cell anemia. Things like that. Several astronomy questions...know the order of the planets, the largest planet, stars etc. Several questions were on the test that were in the practice test books that I used! The Princeton Cracking the CLEP and also in the Collegeboard Official CLEP Study Guide, so those turned out to be very helpful!

You'll do great on it!! Blessings ~kelsey

[Kelsey]

I just finished taking this CLEP! I passed it with a 56 and not being strong in Science and never taking Chemistry or Physics I was completely happy I used the REA book with tests only (it had no study material), Barron's test, Peterson's free online tests, Cracking the Clep practice test, and Official Clep study guide! I tried to get my hands on everything that I thought would help me out! I studied using some high-school texts and also Chem4kids and Physics4kids online sites. These really helped me with the Chem and physics! CLEP Official study guide and Cracking the CLEP helped me out the most. I wouldn't suggest using the Peterson's tests! These were really difficult and just made me discouraged with the hard material. REA test were also really good!

There were several questions over some of the Elements that you wouldn't get right if you didn't have them memorized. There were also some over the different categories like "what makes metal a good conductor?" and others about the Halogens, Noble Gases, etc. There were questions on ATP, Mitochondria, and Ribosomes. Protein questions. "When DNA separates to make another identical strand, what bonds to each side?" A few questions over the planets and the what's in the solar system--asteroids, pick the item that has the largest mass, which planet is closest to the sun?? There were several questions over HIV. Oogenesis and what happens with estrogen and different hormones during pregnancy. Couple Punnett square questions. How gene for Rh affects the child, either through the mother or the father. Sickle cell anemia. Bilateral Symmetry. Pick which group displays convergent evolution! There were a few questions over Meiosis and Mitosis but not the steps to the process just the end result of each! Some graph questions that were really easy and took no understanding of info. to answer.

And that's about all I can remember!! Hope this helps someone! God Bless ~kelsey

[NAP]

Thanks for your help Kelsey!

I decided to answer each question in order like you suggested and I had enough time to finish. The topics you mentioned were all covered on the practice exams, so it was good to know I was on the right track with my studies.

I passed this week with a 73! I posted my feedback here (scroll down past Biology):

http://www.degreeforum.net/excelsior-tho...#post67426

[Kelsey]

I'm so glad that you passed and with such a high score too!! Way to go I'm glad that I was able to help some!