The College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) College Composition exam is an assessment tool designed to evaluate a test taker's proficiency in writing at a college freshman level. It serves to measure a wide range of writing skills, including the ability to analyze, argue, synthesize information, use standard English correctly, and understand logical development and research methods. This detailed revision incorporates a comprehensive understanding of the CLEP College Composition exam's curriculum, structure, and objectives.

Exam Structure and Timing

• Total Duration: 125 minutes.

• Components:

  • Multiple-Choice Section: 50 questions over 55 minutes, assessing various standard English conventions and writing skills.

  • Essay Section: Two essays with a combined time of 70 minutes. The first essay allows 30 minutes for completion, and the second essay, which involves synthesis from provided sources, allows 40 minutes.

Scoring Mechanism

• Scoring Process: Essays are evaluated by college English faculty across the United States using an online system. Each essay is scored by at least two different readers. These scores are combined with the multiple-choice section score to produce a scaled final score ranging from 20 to 80.

• Score Reporting: Unlike other CLEP exams, the College Composition score is available between one to two weeks post-exam due to the essay scoring process.

Key Content Areas

1. Conventions of Standard Written English (10%)

   • This section tests the examinee's understanding of syntax, sentence structure, grammatical accuracy, and punctuation among other foundational elements of English writing.

2. Revision Skills (40%)

   • Test takers must demonstrate their ability to revise drafts for improved organization, clarity, evidence support, and overall coherence. It also tests for sentence variety, effective use of language, and adherence to writing purpose and audience.

3. Use of Source Materials (25%)

   • This area assesses the ability to effectively utilize reference materials, evaluate source credibility, integrate sources into writing, and correctly document sources following standard citation styles (MLA, APA, Chicago).

4. Rhetorical Analysis (25%)

   • Candidates must show proficiency in analyzing text for critical thought, stylistic choices, audience adaptation, and persuasive strategies.

Essays Overview

• First Essay: Requires a response to a prompt, supported by examples from the test taker's reading, experiences, or observations.

• Second Essay: Involves synthesizing information from two provided sources to build an argument, necessitating proper citation of these sources.

Essay Scoring Criteria

• Essays are scored on a scale from 0 to 6. A score of 6 indicates a high level of competence and control over the material, whereas a score of 0 denotes essays that do not address the prompt effectively or are off-topic.

• The scoring emphasizes task adherence, logical and coherent development of ideas, organizational structure, language use, and grammatical accuracy.

Preparation Tips

• Study English Grammar and Usage: Familiarize yourself with the rules of English grammar, including sentence structure, punctuation, and syntax.

• Practice Writing Essays: Develop your ability to write coherent, persuasive essays within a limited time. Focus on structuring your essays clearly with introductory statements, supporting paragraphs, and conclusive summaries.

• Review Citation Styles: Understand how to cite sources using MLA, APA, and Chicago style guides, as this is a critical component of the synthesis essay.

• Analyze Writing Samples: Study high-scoring essays to understand what constitutes effective argumentation, organization, and language use.

Final Note

The CLEP College Composition exam is a comprehensive test of writing ability at the college level, emphasizing analytical, argumentative, and synthetic writing skills. Success on this exam requires thorough preparation in English writing conventions, essay composition, and critical thinking about texts. By understanding the exam structure, content areas, and scoring guidelines, test takers can better prepare to demonstrate their writing proficiency and potentially earn college credit.