What This Exam Covers
The American Government CLEP tests your knowledge of how the U.S. government is structured and functions day to day. You'll need to know the institutions (Congress, courts, presidency), the political processes (elections, parties, interest groups), and the constitutional foundation that underpins them. Understanding how these concepts work is key, not just memorizing facts.
Exam at a Glance
| Questions | 100 multiple choice |
| Time | 90 minutes |
| Passing score | 50 (most schools) |
| College credits | 3 semester hours (typical) |
| Exam fee | $97 |
What's on the American Government CLEP*?
| Category | Weight | Topics |
|---|---|---|
| Institutions and Policy Processes: Presidency, Bureaucracy, Congress, and the Federal Courts | 30%–35% | Congress (structure, powers, lawmaking), the presidency (formal and informal powers), the bureaucracy (organization, policy role), federal court structure and Supreme Court authority, relationships between branches |
| Civil Liberties and Civil Rights | 10%–15% | Bill of Rights and incorporation, First and Fourth Amendment protections, equal protection and due process, landmark civil rights legislation, development of civil liberties through judicial interpretation |
| Political Parties and Interest Groups | 15%–20% | Party functions, organization, and historical development; interest group activities; electoral process and voting behavior |
| Political Beliefs and Behavior | 15%–20% | Political socialization, political participation, public opinion, political culture, media influence on leaders |
| Constitutional Underpinnings of American Democracy | 15%–20% | Federalism and intergovernmental relations, separation of powers, checks and balances, majority rule, minority rights, constitutional design and theories of democracy |
Source: For a full breakdown of what is on the exam, see the College Board American Government CLEP page.
How hard is the American Government CLEP*?
People rate this exam as moderately difficult. It can be challenging for those that haven't taken any political science in high school or other college. The hardest part is understanding how institutions and processes work, not just their names. Regular C-SPAN viewers or politics enthusiasts have an edge and may only need to review our flashcards. The key section is understanding the 3 branches of government: Congress, the presidency, and the courts.
How to study for the American Government CLEP*
- Work through InstantCert flashcards, focusing on the institutions section, which accounts for over a third of the exam. Get a grasp of what these institutions do and what powers they hold.
- Use the College Board's free American Government practice questions to get a quick idea of what will be on the exam.
- If you learn better by video then Crash Course Government and Politics is a great way to learn and also this video on important cases is very helpful.
- Modern States has a very in-depth free CLEP prep course on American Government, especially the constitutional foundation and civil liberties sections.
What score do you need to pass?
The standard passing score is 50, but some schools require 60 or more. The American Government CLEP usually satisfies social science credit requirements, but check with your school before studying.
Can you pass American Government CLEP* with just flashcards?
Yes but you need to grasp the processes, not just memorize terms. Reading the explanations carefully, rather than just filling in blanks, tends to give students a better understanding of the relationships between the different branches of government. Those who do this tend to outperform those who simply drill answers. Our 88% pass rate is lower than some of our other exams, but higher than the average without InstantCert, which is around 50-60%.
Which colleges accept the American Government CLEP*?
Most colleges and universities accept the American Government CLEP for credit. They typically award 3 semester hours towards a social science or general education requirement. Harvard and some top universities, however, do not accept any CLEP credits. Schools often cap the number of CLEP credits you can use, so check with your school or the one you plan to attend before studying.
Use the College Board's CLEP policy search tool to look up your school's policy, but it's better to check the school's website, as this tool can be outdated.
American Government CLEP* vs. taking the class
One semester of introductory political science at most schools runs $1,000 to $3,000 or more in tuition. The American Government CLEP costs $97 and earns the same 3 credit hours. That is a significant price difference for essentially the same outcome on your transcript.
| Exam fee | $97 one-time |
| Typical tuition equivalent | $1,000–$3,000+ (one semester) |
| Credits earned | 3 semester hours (typical) |
| Time to prepare | 3–5 weeks self-study |
| GPA impact | None, pass/fail, not graded |
Taking the American Government CLEP exam makes sense if you have a civics or political science background, want to skip a course you already know, or are trying to reduce total tuition costs. Taking the class makes more sense if you genuinely want in-depth knowledge or if you plan to take upper level classes.
Happy testing!