What This Exam Covers
The Analyzing and Interpreting Literature CLEP is equivalent to a two-semester introductory college literature course. This exam is not about memorizing facts, but rather about how you can read and interpret poems, stories, and plays. Although you will not need to memorize facts, you will need to be familiar with terminology such as "irony," "tone," and other literary terms to understand the questions. You will be given a passage and then asked questions on different aspects of the writing. If you read a lot on your own, this exam can be quite manageable.
Exam at a Glance
| Questions | 80 multiple choice |
| Time | 90 minutes |
| Passing score | 50 (most schools) |
| College credits | 6 semester hours (typical) |
| Exam fee | $97 |
What's on the Analyzing and Interpreting Literature CLEP*?
| Form | Weight | Skills Tested |
|---|---|---|
| Prose (fiction and nonfiction) | 35%–45% | Comprehension, tone, point of view, narrative structure, figurative language, implicit meaning |
| Poetry | 35%–45% | Imagery, metaphor, rhythm, speaker's attitude, diction, structural devices |
| Drama | 15%–30% | Dramatic irony, character motivation, stage directions, dialogue subtext |
Source: For a full breakdown of what is on the exam, see the College Board Analyzing and Interpreting Literature CLEP page.
How hard is the Analyzing and Interpreting Literature CLEP*?
For students who spend a lot of time reading or have taken a lot of English classes, this exam can be relatively easy. Some of the poetry or plays can be challenging due to their complex writing styles (think back on any Shakespeare you have read). Our flashcards aim to provide a broad range of different styles so you can get a feel for it. There is a significant amount of reading involved, even with our flashcards, so if you do not have a solid background, plan on spending a month or two studying.
How to study for the Analyzing and Interpreting Literature CLEP*
- Work through the InstantCert flashcards to get a feel for the different types of writing questions you will see on the exam.
- Modern States offers a free course that is very thorough. If you notice you had a lot of problems with a certain section of the flashcards, find it within this course and study that.
- Practice with the College Board's free Analyzing and Interpreting Literature practice questions.
What score do you need to pass?
The standard passing score for most schools is 50, but some require 60, and a few may be even higher. You will usually receive 6 semester hours, which is equivalent to a full year of English credit. Check with your school for the exact credit policy and what score you will need to pass.
Pass and it simply shows as a pass on your transcript with no grade. Fail and the attempt does NOT appear on your transcript. You can retake after 3 months, but you do forfeit the sitting fee.
Can you pass Analyzing and Interpreting Literature CLEP* with just flashcards?
Many of our students have passed by using the flashcards alone, and this is reflected in the high pass rate (96%) of reported test takers. Since you will be reading a lot, the flashcards may take a little longer to go through with this exam.
Which colleges accept the Analyzing and Interpreting Literature CLEP*?
Most colleges accept this exam for credit, but some highly selective schools, like Yale, do not accept any CLEP credits. Additionally, many schools limit the amount of CLEP or DSST exams you can use towards a degree.
Use the College Board's CLEP credit-granting policy search tool to look up your school. However, it is always a good idea to check with your institution directly, as some schools may not keep this tool up to date.
Analyzing and Interpreting Literature CLEP* vs. taking the class
This exam replaces a two-semester introductory English course, which can cost thousands of dollars.
| Exam fee | $97 one-time |
| Typical tuition equivalent | $600–$1,000+ (two semesters) |
| Credits earned | 6 semester hours (typical) |
| Time to prepare | 2–4 weeks self-study |
| Required reading list | None — all passages are unseen |
| GPA impact | None, pass/fail, not graded |
CLEP is the right choice if you are a confident reader or are willing to put in a few weeks of study and just need the credit. On the other hand, taking the class may be a better option if you want more feedback on your interpretations and the classroom setting allows you to discuss the readings and gain a better understanding of them.
Happy testing!