CLEP College Composition
College Composition
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ExploreAbout this exam
The CLEP College Composition exam is a credit-by-examination route for students who already write at the level taught in a one-semester first-year college composition course. It is aimed at incoming or current undergraduates who want to demonstrate writing competence rather than repeat introductory coursework, and it is also used by military and adult learners returning to study. The exam is delivered in two parts: a multiple-choice section covering Standard Written English conventions, revision of drafts, source and research skills, and rhetorical analysis, plus a mandatory typed essay section. The first essay asks you to argue a position from your own reading, observation, or experience; the second asks you to synthesize two supplied sources into a supported argument and cite them. Essays are scored by college English faculty, and that score carries the same weight as the multiple-choice result. Preparation should combine timed drafting practice with close revision of your own prose, review of grammar and punctuation conventions, and drills in evaluating, integrating, and documenting sources in MLA, APA, or Chicago style. Because scores are not reported on test day, plan your college's credit deadline accordingly.
What you'll study
About CLEP College Composition preparation
How long is the exam and how is the time split?
Total testing time is 125 minutes. You get 55 minutes for 50 multiple-choice questions and 70 minutes for two essays: 30 minutes for the first essay, and 40 minutes to read the two provided sources and write the synthesis essay. Budget the essay time yourself; no separate alarms are built in.
What score do I need to pass?
The American Council on Education recommends a credit-granting score of 50, and the combined result is reported on a scale of 20 to 80. Your college sets its own policy, so confirm the score it requires and how many credits it awards before you register.
Are the essays really required, and are they typed?
Yes. The essay section is mandatory and both essays must be typed on the computer. There is no handwritten option. If you skip an essay, you lose the half of the score that is weighted equally with the multiple-choice section, which makes a passing result very unlikely.
How are the two essays scored?
College English faculty score them twice a month through an online system, with each essay read by at least two different readers. Readers use a 6-point guide, where 6 shows sustained control and 4 shows competence with some lapses. The combined essay score is weighted equally with your multiple-choice score.
When do I get my score?
Not on test day. Unlike most CLEP exams, College Composition scores become available to test takers one to two weeks after the test date, because of the essay reading process. Keep that delay in mind if a college credit deadline is close.
How hard is it, and what trips people up most?
The content is first-year college writing, so the difficulty is mostly in execution under time pressure. Common failures are thin, unsupported arguments; ignoring one of the two sources in the synthesis essay; and failing to cite sources when paraphrasing or quoting. Weak control of sentence boundaries and agreement also costs points.
What should I study first?
Start with revision skills, since that domain carries the largest share of multiple-choice questions, and practice fixing organization, evidence, tone, and transitions in early drafts. Then work on source use and documentation, rhetorical analysis, and finally the grammar conventions, which are the smallest share but easy to sharpen.
Is there a penalty for guessing on multiple choice?
The source does not describe a guessing penalty, and it notes that some questions are pretest items that are not counted toward your score. Answer every question rather than leaving blanks, since an unanswered item can only hurt you.
How do I register and what does it cost?
Registration is $97.00 through the CLEP registration page. Colleges differ in whether they accept this exam and what credit they grant, so check your target school's CLEP policy, including whether it wants credit for a first-year composition course or an English distribution requirement.