WHAT’S ON THIS EXAM
The Introductory Sociology exam is designed to assess an individual’s knowledge of the material typically presented in a one-semester introductory-level sociology course at most colleges and universities. The examination emphasizes basic facts and concepts as well as general theoretical approaches used by sociologists on the topics of institutions, social patterns, social processes, social stratifications, and the sociological perspective. Highly-specialized knowledge of the subject and the methodology of the discipline is not required or measured by the test content.
NUMBER OF QUESTIONS
There are 100 multiple choice questions to be answered in 90 minutes.
NUMBER OF COLLEGE CREDITS
This exam can earn a student 3 college credits and 1 high school credit. See Locating College CLEP Lists and College CLEP Policies to help you determine which CLEP exams your target college accepts.
PASSING SCORE
This exam is pass/fail. A passing score is 50. Read CLEP Exam Scoring.
DIFFICULTY RATING
This CLEP rates as a low 2 out of 5 with 5 being the most difficult on websites that rank CLEP exams. In other words, it is one of the easier CLEP exams. See CLEP Difficulty Ranking based on our experiences as middle and high school test takers.
GRADE ATTEMPTED
My students took this exam in the 10th and 11th grades. See Which CLEP When: How We Tracked from Middle School to Graduation.
MAKING SOCIOLOGY A HIGH SCHOOL COURSE
You can create a one or two semester high school course using a college textbook. Divide the chapters over the desired time period (16 weeks or 32 weeks). Create a flashcard set of the important facts on Quizlet each week. If you have no time or interest in making flashcards, sets can be found on Quizlet (mine listed below). Boxed AP flashcards can be helpful too. Consult a CLEP study guide to help you determine which facts are important. Create weekly tests using the flashcard facts or facts from the textbook. Include some multiple choice questions so your student can get more savvy with them. These tests can be a source of graded material. Reinforce learning using YouTube videos for main topics. For extra enrichment, assign a project that fits the interests of your child.
PLACING A CREDIT ON THE HIGH SCHOOL TRANSCRIPT
After studying for and taking this exam, a student can confidently place one credit on the high school transcript. The credit can serve as social sciences or an elective credit. The value of these credits along with the ease of gaining them make this exam a tempting endeavor. Passing this exam has the additional value of hushing up the homeschool skeptics in your life – which may actually be your student.
Read CLEP on the High School Transcript for ideas on how to record these credits. For ideas on how to determine a letter grade for the material studied read Determining Grades for CLEP Courses. Finally, if you need help on how to calculate a credit read Transcripts: How to Determine Course Credits.
STUDY PLANS WE USED
I used three different approaches to pass this exam. My older daughter prepared for this exam by herself using only the REA CLEP study guide in one month in the tenth grade. She barely passed, but she passed.
My second daughter prepared for this exam in three months by reading through a college textbook and the Quizlet set I made. She was in the 11th grade and had a lot of previous CLEP study experience.
Finally, my son and his two friends, all tenth graders, passed this exam after taking my 16-week review class. Rather than read the sociology textbook, they reviewed Power Point slides I made for each chapter. They were also assigned Quizlet cards. After each chapter, they took a multiple-choice test of those facts. The questions came primarily from Instantcert facts. I tried to love the questions on Modern States but found them off-target. At the end of study, they took four practice tests and scored within the “readiness” range. All three passed this CLEP exam with scores well above the passing score of 50. This was the first CLEP exam for one the students. Read Determining CLEP Readiness.
RESOURCES WE USED
I prefer using a college textbook for this exam. Specifically, I used Sociology by Richard T. Schaefer, only because I found it at a thrift store, and I like affordability. There are more popular and more recent editions of Introduction to Sociology books out there. I liked the price of the one I used, and it got the job done. More recent editions may take a more “woke” twist if that is something you want or want to avoid.
As with most CLEP exams, I make flashcards on Quizlet for each chapter and have my students memorize them. I also use Instantcert online for a final review resource. Taking 3 – 4 practice tests helps assess readiness and prepare for the exam.
- College textbook (for reading material and facts for Quizlet flashcards) (find a used copy of one that reads well)
- REA CLEP Study Guide for Introduction to Sociology (provides three practice tests, review, and facts for flashcards)
- CLEP Official Study Guide (provides 1 practice test.) (Available at public library)
- Quizlet (see my 600+ terms under creator DocPaula)
- Instantcert online review questions (provides review questions and new facts)
FINAL PREPARATION
When the reading material is complete, we began a comprehensive review of the Quizlet flashcards. Then the first practice test was given. That test indicated readiness and how much more work was needed. Then we reviewed Instantcert questions and took a second practice test. A third and fourth test can be helpful. See my posts on CLEP Prep Boot Camp: The Final Weeks and Determining CLEP Exam Readiness.
USING THESE CREDITS AT COLLEGE
These credits were accepted at our community college and at the four-year schools my daughters applied to. Sociology CLEP credits happen to be accepted by our local state college that accepts only a few. If your state has an articulation agreement like North Carolina does, earning an associate degree at a community college allows CLEP credits normally not accepted by a four-year state college to transfer. Read CLEP Credits and NC’s Articulation Agreement.
WHAT THIS EXAM PAIRS WITH
Material on this exam is on the Introduction to Psychology CLEP. A college level course in US History II covers important sociological thinkers and critical social events, so it complements the material on this exam quite nicely. The Sociology exam is one of five easier exams that have fact overlap. Read 15 Credit CLEP Package.
FINAL THOUGHTS
This exam carries a lot of value in regard to college credits, as they seem almost universally accepted. The subject matter reflects common sense experiences of being a human so it’s easy to grasp. I think the information can help students develop a sense of social awareness. Furthermore, the information in this course helped my children in their college English courses; the writing assignments involved sociology concepts. Between its worth in the college setting and its relative ease, I highly recommend this exam for high school students.
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 40+ CLEP exams and earned over 168 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.