What This Exam Covers
The History of the United States II CLEP covers American history from 1865 to the present. It picks up where US History I left off, covering Reconstruction, the Gilded Age, industrialization, the Progressive Era, both World Wars, the Cold War, the civil rights movement, and post-1990 America. Reconstruction is covered on both exams, so if you have done US History I, you should be familiar with that era.
Exam at a Glance
| Questions | 120 multiple choice |
| Time | 90 minutes |
| Passing score | 50 (most schools) |
| College credits | 3 semester hours (typical) |
| Exam fee | $97 |
What's on the History of the United States II CLEP*?
| Category | Weight | Topics |
|---|---|---|
| Political institutions and public policy | 30% | Reconstruction governments, political parties, regulatory legislation, the welfare state, constitutional amendments, Supreme Court decisions, liberalism and conservatism |
| Social developments | 30% | Immigration, racial and ethnic minorities, the civil rights movement, women and the family, labor, urbanization, long-term demographic trends |
| Cultural and intellectual developments | 20% | Arts and letters, intellectual movements, popular culture, religion in American life |
| Economic developments | 10% | Industrialization, agricultural change, economic policy, labor organization, economic growth and development |
| Diplomacy and international relations | 10% | American expansionism, World Wars I and II, the Cold War, Korea, Vietnam, post-Cold War foreign policy |
Source: For a full breakdown of what is on the exam, see the College Board History of the United States II CLEP page.
Chronological breakdown: 30% of questions cover 1865 to 1914 (Reconstruction through the Progressive Era). The other 70% covers 1915 to the present, so the 20th century dominates this exam.
How hard is the History of the United States II CLEP*?
The History of the United States II CLEP is moderately difficult, roughly the same challenge as US History I. It covers a large amount of time, which can be difficult. With that being said, 70% of the questions are drawn from 1915 to the present, a period that most students find more accessible than the Reconstruction and Gilded Age material. You may have seen WWII documentaries or other shows on recent history that will come in handy on this exam. If you have some knowledge, give yourself a couple of weeks to study. If you are starting from scratch, it will be more like a month or two.
How to study for the History of the United States II CLEP*
- Work through the InstantCert flashcards in chronological order. US History II rewards understanding how different eras connect. Learn how industrialization drove the Progressive Era, how the Cold War shaped both foreign and domestic policy. Knowing why things happened matters as much as knowing what happened. Go in order and pay attention to how history shapes the next era.
- Use the College Board's free US History II practice questions to try out a few questions.
- Crash Course U.S. History is excellent if you learn well from video. Starting from Episode 22, it covers Reconstruction through the modern era and maps almost directly to the CLEP content.
ModernStates.org has a free US History II course built specifically for CLEP prep.
What score do you need to pass?
A score of 50 is the standard passing threshold at most schools, although some schools require a score of 60. The credit typically counts toward social science or a U.S. history elective. Confirm with your school if you need a specific type of credit before you start studying so you do not waste your time.
Pass and you earn 3 semester hours of credit. Fail and the attempt does NOT appear on your transcript. You can retake the exam after 3 months, but you will lose the $97 exam fee.
Can you pass History of the United States II CLEP* with just flashcards?
A lot of our students have passed using only flashcards, which is reflected in the relatively high pass rate of 93%. The flashcards cover all eras, and the answers can help fill in your knowledge when you get one wrong. If you find yourself struggling in certain eras, check out Crash Course on YouTube or other free resources, and then try the flashcards again.
Which colleges accept the History of the United States II CLEP*?
Over 2,900 U.S. colleges and universities accept CLEP credit, and most of them accept U.S. History II. A small number of schools, particularly highly selective universities, do not accept CLEP credit at all, so make sure to check before you take the exam.
Use the College Board's CLEP credit-granting policy search tool to look up exactly what your school awards before you sit for the exam. Be aware that even with this tool, it is best to check directly with your school, as they sometimes do not update their policies with the College Board.
History of the United States II CLEP* vs. taking the class
At $97, this exam costs a fraction of a semester of college tuition. You earn the same 3 credit hours either way, with no impact on your GPA. The difference is that you have to do the work on your own schedule, without a professor or graded assignments keeping you on track.
| Exam fee | $97 one-time |
| Typical tuition equivalent | $500–$3,000+ (one semester) |
| Credits earned | 3 semester hours (typical) |
| Time to prepare | 3–6 weeks self-study |
| GPA impact | None, pass/fail only |
CLEP is the right choice if you have some U.S. history background, want to free up your schedule, or are trying to reduce tuition costs. Taking the class makes more sense if your school requires a specific U.S. history course by name or if you plan on doing advanced history classes and want a better understanding. Courses often require essay writing, which is not covered in this exam.
Happy testing!