American Lit CLEP

Discussion in 'CLEP, DANTES, and Other Exams for Credit' started by argentnox, Jun 12, 2009.

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  1. argentnox

    argentnox New Member

    I have been studying for a few weeks, and I have one more week to study before I want to take the test. I work full time and am in two actual classes, but my work for both classes is done for the entire week.

    I scored very well on my Analyzing and Interpreting Lit CLEP. I found it to be quite simple. So that section of the test should be rather easy for me.

    I have been studying using the Idiot's Guide to American Literature and the summaries on SparkNotes. I have Flashcards made with the authors, but I was wondering if anyone could give me a better focus on the stories and poetry?

    Is there anything in particular I should be memorizing? I am going to be making up theme/motif/symbol flashcards tonight. I also plan on going through the whole Norton Anthology website American Lit section this weekend, since I just found that in some of the other posts.
     
  2. cookderosa

    cookderosa Resident Chef



    I wouldn't waste time with the Norton Anthology- too specific. The Idiot's Guide is perfect, and you absolutely need to be able to match titles with authors. I would say that everything major you expect to be on- will be, all the big names and their works were touched on. There was a little analyzing and themes- but included passages, so not too bad. I had a few character questions, but I felt that The Idiot's Guide was good preparation. I don't recall too much current stuff (1970-current) but it seemed to me that the overwhelming majority of of my questions were from colonial days-WW2. I studied around 3 weeks using only that book- and scored in the high 60's.

    I think with that exam, there is a large plateau level where the "prepared" and "very prepared" will both fall score-wise. I think that there were a few very very specific questions about plots most people probably wouldn't know unless they had read the books (The Spy, James Fenimore Cooper). I think the result (one more point) doesn't correlate to the work necessary to get that extra point (reading the entire Leatherstocking series). I found a handful of those types of questions- but since you don't have time to read the 3000+ titles possibly covered on the exam, The Idiot's Guide is the way to go.
     
  3. argentnox

    argentnox New Member

    Thank you! All I care about is passing it and jumping right into studying for English Lit. Then comes Humanities, since I will have just covered the literature portion of it. :D
     
  4. argentnox

    argentnox New Member

    Also, has anyone taken the Peterson practice tests and the most recent American Lit CLEP who can tell me how much different they are? I took the first Peterson practice test after not too much studying and got a 44%. I am waiting to take the next for this weekend. Then I am going to take the third a few days before my actual CLEP test to see what areas I need to brush up on.
     
  5. cookderosa

    cookderosa Resident Chef

    >>

    I used the Peterson's tests for every exam I took (if it was available). I very much enjoyed having a measure, and usually did all 3 before taking the exam. Most people will say they are harder than the real deal, I don't know if that's true- I always think everything is hard until it's over lol.
     
  6. argentnox

    argentnox New Member

    I ended up doing pretty well on the exam...in the high 60s (as I recall...my printout is at home, and I am at work). I think the Petersons tests were somewhat harder, but they are good practice.
     
  7. sdeserio

    sdeserio New Member

    Feedback

    Hi

    I am taking the exam the end of next week. I was wondering if you remember any specific exam feedback? OR if you have any other advice or suggestions that you think might be helpful?

    Stephen
     

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