WHAT’S ON THIS EXAM
The Introductory Psychology exam covers material that is usually taught in a one-semester, undergraduate introductory course in psychology. It stresses basic facts, concepts, and generally accepted principles in history; approaches and methods of psychology; biological bases of behavior, sensation, and perception; states of consciousness; learning; cognition; motivation and emotion; personality; psychological disorders and treatment; social psychology; and statistics, tests, and measurements.
HOW MANY QUESTIONS
This exam has approximately 95 multiple choice questions to be answered in 90 minutes.
HOW MANY COLLEGE CREDITS
Colleges that grant credit for this exam usually grant 3 college credits. It can serve as 1 high school credit. See Locating College CLEP Lists and College CLEP Policies to help you learn about the CLEP exams your target college may accept.
PASSING SCORE
This exam is pass/fail. A passing score is 50. Read CLEP Exam Scoring.
DIFFICULTY RATING
It is considered one of the easiest exams to pass according to websites that offer rankings. It’s ranked as an easy 2 out of 5 with 5 being the most difficult. I’ve successfully guided three students through this exam with high scores. See CLEP Difficulty Ranking based on our experiences as middle and high school test takers.
GRADE TAKEN
My students have studied and taken this exam in the 10th grade. See Which CLEP When: How We Tracked from Middle School to Graduation.
TURNING PYSCHOLOGY INTO A FULL YEAR HIGH SCHOOL COURSE
You can create a one-year high school course using a college textbook. Divide the chapters over 32 – 36 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 CREDIT ON THE HIGH SCHOOL TRANSCRIPT
Studying for and attempting this exam can certainly represent one high school credit (1 year) for social sciences or an elective. See 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 PLAN WE USED
I approached this study as a 1 year high school course for one daughter and her friend. My other daughter crammed the information over 6 weeks and passed. See my post on CLEP Prep: Different Study Plans and Sample CLEP Year.
RESOURCES THAT WE USED
I found an inexpensive used copy of a college level Introductory Psychology textbook and divided up the chapters to fit into a school year. Flashcards were made on Quizlet of the important facts from the textbook and the REA CLEP Study Guide. The REA guide also provided three practice tests. A copy of Barron’s CLEP Study Guide provided additional practice tests. We also used the online InstantCert questions for the final review review. The final practice test came from the CLEP Official Study Guide.
- Introductory Psychology college textbook
- REA CLEP Study Guide (provides three practice tests, review information, and facts for flashcards)
- Barron’s CLEP Study Guide (provides practice tests, review information, and facts for flashcards)
- InstantCert online review (provides review questions and new facts)
- Quizlet (see my 1180 flashcards under creator DocPaula)
- CLEP Official Study Guide (provides 1 practice test)
FINAL PREPARATION
After the book was completed, we went through all the Quizlet flashcards attempting to commit more to memory. Then they took a practice test. The first test serves as a barometer for how much more studying is needed. If the score is above 60% then things are looking promising. We then started reviewing the InstantCert online questions writing down the new facts. After this, 2 – 3 more practice tests were taken. Read my posts Determining CLEP Exam Readiness and CLEP Prep Boot Camp: The Final Weeks.
HOW TO USE THESE CREDITS FOR COLLEGE
These credits were accepted at our community college and at the four-year schools my daughters applied to. If your state has an articulation agreement like North Carolina does, earning an associate’s degree at a community college allows CLEP credits normally not accepted by a four-year state school to transfer. Read CLEP Credits and NC’s Articulation Agreement.
WHAT THIS STUDY PAIRS WELL WITH
This CLEP comes with a bonus. After taking the Psychology CLEP exam, my students crammed in flashcards for the Educational Psychology CLEP for two weeks and passed that exam. No textbook necessary. See my 521 Quizlet flashcards under creator DocPaula for Educational Psychology for the essential facts. This exam provides 3 additional college credits.
The study of psychology also lends itself well to the Marketing CLEP and Introduction to Sociology CLEP. Many of the concepts are repeated. This exam is one of five easier exams that overlap. Read 15 Credit CLEP Package and learn how to pick up an easy 15 credits.
THOUGHTS ON THIS CLEP
The base of knowledge in an introductory psychology course can serve a student well in many other areas. The facts can be applied to real life and increase one’s understanding of the human condition. I think that psychology is an essential subject for the high school student.
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.