Which test to take first, how long to study, tips, etc

[sadee.w]

Hello all,

I am new to the CLEP world and am considering taking:

American Literature
English Literature
A & I Literature
Humanities

My questions to you all are:

1) Which test I should take first?
2) How long to study for each test?
3) What to use to prepare for each test?

I have just begun studying for the American Lit CLEP and am OVERWHELMED with how broad it is. I am at the point where I want to wing it just to see what I am up against and re-take it later on. Or just take the classes.

Any advice would be great!

Thank you all!

[navy3912]

Hello all,

I am new to the CLEP world and am considering taking:

American Literature
English Literature
A & I Literature
Humanities

My questions to you all are:

1) Which test I should take first?
2) How long to study for each test?
3) What to use to prepare for each test?

I have just begun studying for the American Lit CLEP and am OVERWHELMED with how broad it is. I am at the point where I want to wing it just to see what I am up against and re-take it later on. Or just take the classes.

Any advice would be great!

Thank you all!

I would take :
1. A&I LIT
2. American Lit
3. English Lit
4. Humanities

For numbers 1,2 and 4 the IC flash cards are fantastic. There is alot of information. I don't know your background on each subject but about a week - 2 weeks is normal for each with adequate study. Also the exam specific feedback is a great section (if you subscribe to IC.)

All of these are doable.....just split the information into sections. almost all of these are very broad but surface level information....that why they are worth 6 credits. Buckle down and you got this!

[sadee.w]

Thank you so much for this! I will sign up for IC now.

Background on the subject doesn't go too much further than one or two AP or college courses.

Thank you!

[jmeitrem]

I would take :
1. A&I LIT
2. American Lit
3. English Lit
4. Humanities

For numbers 1,2 and 4 the IC flash cards are fantastic. There is alot of information. I don't know your background on each subject but about a week - 2 weeks is normal for each with adequate study. Also the exam specific feedback is a great section (if you subscribe to IC.)

All of these are doable.....just split the information into sections. almost all of these are very broad but surface level information....that why they are worth 6 credits. Buckle down and you got this!

I would probably just switch 2 and 3 since I found English Lit to be much easier. I definitely second the specific exam feedback section; it was the most useful tool for me

[GoodYellowDogs]

Definitely A & I first

[cookderosa]

I would take :
1. A&I LIT
2. American Lit
3. English Lit
4. Humanities

For numbers 1,2 and 4 the IC flash cards are fantastic. There is alot of information. I don't know your background on each subject but about a week - 2 weeks is normal for each with adequate study. Also the exam specific feedback is a great section (if you subscribe to IC.)

All of these are doable.....just split the information into sections. almost all of these are very broad but surface level information....that why they are worth 6 credits. Buckle down and you got this!

I like that order and would second that suggestion.

[wombat777]

sadee.w what are your plans? Are you taking these exams to fulfill general education requirements or just to boost your number of credits?

If you are looking to fill in some general education requirements, are you sure ALL of these exams would be helpful to you? Depending on your intended major and your school, taking all these exams might be overkill in the literature department. You might be better off starting A&I Lit. and then moving to a new category (not taking more lit).

I know for my college, the school requires classes from different subject areas for a broad general education.

I'm not saying the exams won't all be helpful to you; I don't know your situation. It is just something for you to consider.

As far as a first exam for you to take A&I Lit is a great one to consider, but be sure your college will accept it.

[studyandpass5]

I would recommend taking Humanities last; it contains material from the other three tests listed. I have not taken American Lit, but I found A & I Lit to be pretty easy, and it helped when I took English Lit.
As for resources, definitely try to take the Peterson's tests; you do have to pay for them (around $20 for 3 tests) unless you are, or were, in the military, then they are free. Another good resource is the REA line of books.

Good luck on your studying!

Hello all,

I am new to the CLEP world and am considering taking:

American Literature
English Literature
A & I Literature
Humanities

My questions to you all are:

1) Which test I should take first?
2) How long to study for each test?
3) What to use to prepare for each test?

I have just begun studying for the American Lit CLEP and am OVERWHELMED with how broad it is. I am at the point where I want to wing it just to see what I am up against and re-take it later on. Or just take the classes.

Any advice would be great!

Thank you all!

[jortholmes]

You should take:

A&I Lit.
American Lit.
English Lit.
Humanities

This is the order that I took them in (with a few others in between to break up all the reading) and passed them all!

I studied 2 weeks for A&I Lit using two fat world lit. books that we had at my house and Instantcert flaschcards and REA tests. Use them! I studied 3 weeks for Amer. Lit. using Instantcert, REA studyguide and 3 tests. USE REA, WHATEVER YOU DO, THEY ARE THE BEST CLEP RESOURCE OUT THERE. I studied English Lit. for 5 weeks (longer because it was over Christmas and we went on vacation during this time, too; you could totally do this one in three weeks if you've read a lot of the material before). REA doesn't have a book or practice test for this, but FreeClepPrep is an excellent site to help you prepare. He also has a free practice test that you can take. I took Humanities last, studying two weeks. I'd have to say that this one was the most fun for me, but definitely do the other tests first. 50% of Humanities is on literature so the harder you study the first three tests, the less you'll have to study for Humanities. For this one I used FreeClepPrep, REA studyguide and tests, and Quizlet, which is another amazing site. Check it out for any of the above mentioned tests and it'll definitely increase your score. Just beware that a lot of the flashcards have a few spelling errors. Be on the lookout, but once you get past that, they're a great FREE resource.

So there's my long-winded response. I hope it helps.

Jade

[sadee.w]

Thank you all for your responses!

I will try to respond to everyone in one hit:

I am taking the tests for elective credit so I can graduate sooner. I am a math major .
I am going to sign up for IC, I signed up for Petersons (my spouse is Military), I had not heard of REA until now I am interested, but I don't want to spend too much money! I will just have to see I guess. I have the ability to study all day everyday, so I am thinking of putting 1.5-2 weeks on each exam. I have been pretty overwhelmed on all the content on Am Lit, but am trying to keep myself motivated, I am so tempted to just wing it!

Thank you all!