So just what is the College Composition CLEP? In July of 2010 the College Comp CLEP replaced the English Composition CLEP with Essay. The College Composition CLEP contains 50 multiple choice questions to be answered in 50 minutes, and 2 mandatory essays to be written 70 minutes, for a grand total of 120 minutes testing time.
I know English and writing scare people. Most people assume that they can not write and so they could never take this test. However, with dedication, anyone can pass this test. Why?
You can pass this test because – it uses skills you should know from highschool.
This isn’t rocket science, and this isn’t psychology! This is English. The grammar, writing, and editing skills used on this CLEP exam are the same skills you used in highschool. This test is nothing new.
You can pass this test because – the multiple choice questions use common sense.
Nothing here is trying to trick you. Unlike some standardized tests that use more logic than fact, the CLEP exams are straightforward tests of your knowledge on one subject. If you take your time, read the questions, and read the answers, you should know what the answers are. When something is wrong in the sentence, it is very wrong. For instance here is a question from a practice test: “Studying plants in the laboratory under strictly controlled conditions providing a useful but limited view of the way that these plants function in an ecosystem.” What is wrong in the sentence?
You can pass this test because – the essays are typed into the computer
The most common reason I hear for not taking the essay portion of the ACT is because of having to handwrite it. Whether your handwriting is messy or slow, there’s no need to worry with the College Composition CLEP. It’s typed on the computer!
Here’s the list of my favorite resources for the College Composition CLEP. All of these books are highly recommended and a great addition to your shelf as you study.
- CLEP Official Study Guide 2012 (practice test and essay prompts)
- CLEP General Exams w/ CD-ROM (CLEP Test Preparation) (practice tests)
- The Elements of Style (4th Edition) (grammar and punctuation reviews; common errors to look for)
- Writer’s Inc (helpful information in writing essays; general grammar information)
- Write Source 2000 (same as above)
- The Curious Case of the Misplaced Modifier (general grammar crimes that are committed)
- Wordsmith Craftsman (how to write an essay)
I took the College Composition CLEP in March 2011, and scored a 63.