The CLEP (College-Level Examination Program) exam titled "History of the United States I: Early Colonization to 1877" offers a comprehensive assessment of a candidate's knowledge of American history from the earliest European settlements to the aftermath of the Civil War, concluding with the Reconstruction era. This exam is designed for students seeking to bypass the traditional classroom course by demonstrating their proficiency through a standardized test, potentially earning college credit based on their performance.

Exam Overview

This CLEP exam focuses on the vast expanse of U.S. history, emphasizing the period from 1790 to 1877, which encompasses critical developments in the nation's formation, expansion, and reconstruction. The content also ventures into the early colonization period and the 17th and 18th centuries, with a particular focus on the English colonies, and includes questions about the Americas before the 1500s, albeit in fewer numbers. The examination is structured to include around 120 multiple-choice questions, which must be answered within a 90-minute timeframe. It's important to note that some of these questions are designed as pretest items and do not count towards the final score.

Knowledge and Skills Assessment

The exam evaluates a range of cognitive abilities essential for historical analysis, including:

• The capacity to identify and describe significant historical events and phenomena.

• Skills in analyzing and interpreting historical data and trends.

• The ability to compare and contrast various historical developments across different periods and themes.

Content Specifications

The questions are meticulously curated to cover specific topical and chronological aspects of U.S. history:

• Topical Focus:

  • Political institutions, developments, and public policy (25%)

  • Social developments (25%)

  • Economic developments (15%)

  • Cultural and intellectual developments (20%)

  • Diplomacy and transnational interactions (15%)

• Chronological Distribution:

  • The period from 1500–1789, covering early colonization and the formation of the United States (30%)

  • The period from 1790–1877, focusing on the early republic, expansion, civil war, and reconstruction (70%)

Comprehensive Themes

The CLEP History of the United States I exam is grounded in a variety of themes that are essential for a nuanced understanding of early American history, including:

• The characteristics of indigenous societies in the Americas before European colonization and the consequential impact of European exploration and settlement, with an emphasis on the effects of the Columbian Exchange.

• The origins, development, and resistance against the institution of slavery in the United States.

• Patterns of immigration and the histories of ethnic minorities within the evolving American society.

• The evolution of gender roles, the history of women, and the structure of families over time.

• The establishment and growth of colonial societies, including the dynamics of British colonial relations.

• The pivotal role of religion in American society and its transformation over time.

• The ideological and physical struggles leading to the American Revolution, the creation and ratification of the Constitution, and the interpretation of constitutional amendments.

• The expansion of democratic participation, the evolution of political parties, and the changing role of government in individuals' lives.

• The expression of American nationalism through intellectual movements, literature, art, and popular culture.

• The emergence and impact of abolitionism and various reform movements on American society.

• Demographic shifts, including immigration and internal migration, and the motivations and outcomes of American expansionism.

• The economic growth and development processes, alongside the causes and consequences of major conflicts, including the Civil War and Reconstruction.

Scoring and Credit

The American Council on Education (ACE) recommends a passing score of 50 for the awarding of 3 semester hours of college credit. However, individual institutions maintain the authority to set their own credit-granting scores and policies. Therefore, candidates are advised to consult with their respective educational institutions to determine the specific requirements for credit recognition.

This exam offers an invaluable opportunity for students to validate their knowledge of U.S. history, aiding in the acceleration of their educational journey by potentially satisfying general education requirements or contributing towards their degree completion in a more flexible and cost-effective manner.