CLEP Study Materials

This is a general overview of resources I use to prepare for the CLEP exams. To find out exactly which resources we used to pass a specific CLEP exam, read the post on that exam.

COLLEGE TEXTBOOK

Depending on the subject and the study plan, a college textbook may or may not be necessary. I seek out popular college textbooks that have been replaced by newer editions. The prices are very low, and the information is adequate for CLEP prep. See my post on CLEP Study Plan Options.

CLEP STUDY GUIDE

A CLEP study guide from REA, Barron’s, or other company will provide summaries of important facts along with invaluable practice tests. AP study guides can be helpful too, but AP tests have essay questions and go into more depth than a CLEP test. I find that my students score lower on the AP practice tests, but they are still useful.

My favorite guides are the REA CLEP Study Guides. At times I use Barron’s guides and AP study guides that I happen across at thrift stores. I use these guides to get more material for making Quizlet flashcard sets. The practice tests in these guides are an essential part of our final weeks of exam preparation. I use the scores on the practice tests to indicate exam readiness. See my post on Determining CLEP Readiness.

CLEP OFFICIAL STUDY GUIDE

This book contains a sample test for all the CLEP exams. That’s all this book contains. I use the sample exam as the final practice test before signing up for the actual exam. This book can be found at public libraries. A new book is published each year, but the test questions never seem to change. So don’t be tempted to check out a stack of these books!

QUIZLET

I create my own study sets on Quizlet because it’s difficult finding complete study sets. Plus, the depth and accuracy are sort of lacking on published sets. I enjoy learning the material and making the flashcards so it’s no big deal for me. One set can serve all my students. In fact, they are now serving students around the world and that’s rewarding to me. You can access my Quizlet cards for various CLEP subjects under creator Doc Paula.

INSTANTCERT REVIEW

Instantcert is an online CLEP review website that you can subscribe to on a monthly basis. I like that a subscription provides access to all of the CLEP subject tests at once. This is helpful if your student is studying for multiple CLEP tests or if you have multiple students studying for multiple subjects. I use this site for final review. I highly recommend this study resource.

Instantcert link: http://www.instantcert.com

YOUTUBE VIDEOS

I make an effort to find enriching videos whenever possible that teach a concept in an entertaining way. Short videos can be quite effective and memorable. I have found great videos for US History, American Literature, biology, psychology, and Western Civilization. Whenever you have a new topic, try to find a helpful video.

ONLINE CLEP COURSES

I do not have faith in the online programs that promote CLEP success in six weeks. Not for high school students. Maybe that format would work for an adult learner or someone who already had a complete course in the subject. It would serve as a review. High school students may not have enough test taking experience or subject experience. Furthermore, I am skeptical that one source would be broad enough to cover all the questions on a CLEP exam. Be very skeptical.

MODERN STATES

I have attempted to use Modern States, a free online CLEP prep course provider, as a supplement but I found them inadequate for our high school needs. I love that free online textbooks are provided. The main method of learning is through very short lecture videos. The lecture notes appear as a transcript off to the side which is helpful for some learners.

I felt that the lectures were too shallow and too short to adequately cover all the critical points. And I seriously doubt that each of those professors knows which topics are on the tests and which ones are not.

Besides a few quiz questions after each teaching section, there is no other form of testing or accountability. I gave this program a good month trial for several subjects before bailing and resuming my preferred method of textbook learning with flashcards.

MULTIPLE SOURCES NEEDED

I think that high school students need to use multiple resources to prepare for a CLEP exam. If you choose an online course, consider adding other sources to gather more facts before taking the exam. The same goes for students using a high school level curriculum. Purchase a CLEP study guide and find topics that are missing from your curriculum. Find resources to fill the gaps. Take a practice test to assess readiness. See my post on Determining CLEP Readiness.

CHOOSE WISELY OR LOSE

If you begin a course of study, be it with a teacher or a textbook, and you don’t like it, you lose time, opportunity, and money. You have to find a new teacher with an opening or a new curriculum. Homeschoolers have shared many tales of woe about losing a year of education in a subject or having to change direction midstream. It’s very disruptive and upsetting. Read How to Screen Private Instructors.

If a program sounds too good and too easy, it’s probably not going to be a stand alone resource. Be very discerning when evaluating product reviews too. Most reviewers of these materials are high school graduates. Their reviews may not be appropriate for your situation. Plus there is no way to determine if all the facts have been revealed. Be very discerning when choosing. Read Are CLEP Material Reviews Trustworthy? for my thoughts on reviews.

TRIED AND TRUE METHOD

I have learned to reduce my risks by making more conservative choices and layering my options. The resources I rely on might require more work and time, but I trust them for success. They have earned my students one to two years of college credit along with substantial scholarships, so I stand by them.

My experience with CLEP testing. I have coached my kids and their friends through 16 different CLEP exams over a period of 9 years. Collectively, they have passed 39 CLEP exams and earned over 159 college credits. I’m still coaching my younger son through his CLEP journey. My high school graduates have received full-ride merit scholarships.

Musing: a period of reflection or thought. As such this post reflects my thoughts, opinions, and experiences on the topic. The choice to home school and the methods you choose are yours to determine.