What This Exam Covers
The English Literature CLEP tests British and other English-language writing from the Old English period through the 20th century. It assesses two skills: reading and interpreting literary passages (the majority of the exam) and knowledge of specific authors, periods, and terminology.
Exam at a Glance
| Questions | 95 multiple choice |
| Time | 90 minutes |
| Passing score | 50 (most schools) |
| College credits | 6 semester hours (typical) |
| Exam fee | $97 |
What's on the English Literature CLEP*?
| Category | Weight | Topics |
|---|---|---|
| Analytical Ability | 60–65% | Analyzing form in prose, poetry, and drama passages; identifying tone, mood, imagery, and style; following patterns of meaning; comprehending excerpts of literary criticism |
| Knowledge | 35–40% | Major British authors and their works; literary periods from Old English through the 20th century; metrical patterns; literary references and allusions; literary terminology (poetic forms, narrative techniques, dramatic conventions, rhetorical devices) |
Source: For a full breakdown of what is on the exam, see the College Board English Literature CLEP page.
How hard is the English Literature CLEP*?
Many find this exam moderately difficult, but our students achieve a 98% pass rate, one of the highest of any CLEP we cover. Those who studied English Literature or British literature in school can often prepare in a couple of weeks. Students with no literary background face two challenges: memorizing major authors and their works, and analyzing passages. The latter requires practice, not just reading. Plan for 4 to 6 weeks if you have little to no experience.
The poetry-heavy weighting surprises many students. About 45% of the exam involves poetry, so spend time reading poems of different eras.
How to study for the English Literature CLEP*
- Work through the InstantCert flashcards to build your author, period, and works knowledge. When stumped by an author or period, check out free resources for more study.
- Practice the passage analysis portion using the College Board's free English Literature sample questions. Timed reading practice under exam-like conditions is the only way to get faster at this type of question.
- Make sure to learn all the poetry terms like metaphor, alliteration, etc. Free definitions of poetry terms from the Harvard Poetry Collection.
- Get used to Old English and Middle English, as they can be very unusual.
What score do you need to pass?
A score of 50 is the standard threshold at most schools. The English Literature CLEP typically awards 6 semester hours, equivalent to two full semesters of English literature at many schools. Confirm with your registrar how that credit applies to your degree before you test.
Pass and you receive a PASS with no letter grade and no GPA impact. Fail and the attempt does NOT appear on your transcript at all. You can retake after 3 months, but you pay the $97 exam fee again.
Can you pass English Literature CLEP* with just flashcards?
For many of our students flashcards are all they needed. The knowledge section is pure memorization so that works great with flashcards. The passage analysis section can be trickier, but a few hours of targeted practice will get you the pass.
Which colleges accept the English Literature CLEP*?
Most U.S. colleges and universities accept the English Literature CLEP for credit. However, credit amounts vary with most schools awarding 6 semester hours, but confirm before you test.
English Literature credit typically satisfies an English or humanities requirement.
Use the College Board's CLEP credit-granting policy search tool to look up exactly what your school awards. Search by institution, find English Literature, and confirm the minimum score and credit hours before you register.
English Literature CLEP* vs. taking the class
The English Literature CLEP is equivalent to two semesters of English literature. At most public universities those two courses cost $1,000 to $4,000+ in tuition. The exam costs $97.
| Exam fee | $97 one-time |
| Typical tuition equivalent | $1,000–$4,000+ (two semesters) |
| Credits earned | 6 semester hours (typical) |
| Time to prepare | 2–6 weeks self-study |
| GPA impact | None, pass/fail only |
If you have a background in British literature or have read widely, this exam is a good value. If you're starting from scratch and don't enjoy reading, the class might be a better choice.
Happy testing!