There are 3 ways to earn college credit in literature through CLEP. Each exam is a bit different, but if you have a strong reader, this set is really the trifecta!
1. American Literature (3 college credits)
The American Literature exam deals with the prose and poetry written in the United States from colonial times to the present. You’ll need to know specific work, specific authors, dates, titles, and characters.
When to take: alongside American History
Free American Literature Prep Course for CLEP
Jennifer’s favorite resource for this exam is out of print, you’ll have to do some digging: The Complete Idiot’s Guide to American Literature (1999)
2. Analyzing and Interpreting Literature (3 college cr.)
A reading comprehension exam includes questions on passages taken from American and British literature as well as some simple literature and poetry terms. You do NOT need to know specific works, author, or dates. This is a reading comprehension exam.
When to take: anytime. Many students take this as their 1st CLEP exam.
Free Analyzing and Interpreting Lit Prep Course for CLEP
3. English Literature (3 college credits)
The English Literature exam is primarily concerned with major British authors and literary works. You’ll need to know specific work, specific authors, dates, titles, and characters.
When to take: Take this as your last literature exam. It’s a bit harder than American, and a little more specialized since English literature uses less common language.
Free English Literature Prep Course for CLEP
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