What This Exam Covers
The College Composition CLEP covers material similar to a first-year college writing course. It tests writing skills across two sections: a multiple-choice section on grammar, rhetoric, and revision, and an essay section where you write two essays. This exam assesses not just grammar knowledge but also your ability to write a coherent essay.
Exam at a Glance
| Questions | 50 multiple choice + 2 essays |
| Time | 120 minutes total |
| Passing score | 50 (most schools) |
| College credits | 6 semester hours (typical) |
| Exam fee | $97 |
What's on the College Composition CLEP*?
| Section | Weight | Topics |
|---|---|---|
| Multiple Choice | ~50% | Grammar and usage, sentence structure, revision and editing, rhetorical analysis, using source materials effectively, essay structure |
| Essay: Argumentative | ~25% | Develop a well-organized argument on a given topic, support with reasons and evidence, demonstrate clarity of thought and command of standard written English |
| Essay: Synthesis | ~25% | Analyze and synthesize several provided sources into a coherent written argument; demonstrate ability to use sources accurately and integrate them into your own argument |
Source: For a full breakdown of what is on the exam, see the College Board College Composition CLEP page.
How hard is the College Composition CLEP*?
This exam varies in difficulty because of the written section. It's a pretty easy exam if you are comfortable with writing, but for those who cannot write an essay at all, they will have a bad time. The multiple-choice section rewards knowing grammar rules and being able to recognize problems in writing. The essays require organized thinking and clear, correct prose. If you write regularly in your job or education, you will likely find this exam quite easy.
Essay writing is a core skill in higher education, so if you are not confident in it, this exam may be a great way to learn and earn a credit at the same time. The synthesis essay requires knowledge of how to properly cite sources, which comes in handy for many courses beyond this one. Running out of time happens often on this exam, so make sure to pace yourself.
How to study for the College Composition CLEP*
- Work through the InstantCert flashcards to build your grammar rules, common errors, and rhetorical concepts. The multiple-choice section rewards precise knowledge of usage and sentence-level revision, and the cards cover it directly.
- Practice writing timed essays. Set a timer for 30 minutes and write a full argumentative essay on a topic, then evaluate it for organization, clarity, and grammar. Do this at least 5 to 6 times before exam day. Instead of using AI to write the essay, you can feed your complete essay to your favorite AI agent and have them criticize how you could improve it.
- Purdue OWL (Online Writing Lab) is a great free resource for this exam. Their sections on grammar, mechanics, and essay structure cover exactly what this exam tests.
- For the synthesis essay, read each source quickly and identify its main claim before you start writing. Your essay does NOT need to use every source provided. Choose 3 to 4 that best support your argument and cite them properly.
What score do you need to pass?
A score of 50 is the standard pass rate at most schools, but some require 60 or higher. College Composition CLEP is worth 6 semester hours at many institutions, which is equivalent to two semesters of English writing credit. Confirm with your school before testing, as some programs require you to take the composition sequence regardless of exam scores.
If you fail the exam it does NOT appear on your transcript but you must wait 3 months to try again and you lose your fee.
Can you pass College Composition CLEP* with just flashcards?
The flashcards prepare you well for the multiple-choice section. However, the essay section requires you to actually write, and no amount of flashcard review substitutes for timed essay practice. Students who combine the flashcards with regular essay writing consistently pass. Our 96% pass rate reflects how well-prepared students are when they use both components of the prep. Do not skip the essay practice.
Which colleges accept the College Composition CLEP*?
Most colleges accept the College Composition CLEP for credit, typically awarding 6 semester hours toward a core English writing requirement. This is one of the most useful CLEPs you can take, because not only do many degrees require an English credit, but this exam also helps you prepare for essay writing, which is a core skill in most degrees.
Use the College Board's CLEP credit-granting policy search tool to look up your specific school's policy, but be aware that sometimes schools do not update their policy with the College Board. Best thing to do is check with your school before starting to study.
College Composition CLEP* vs. taking the class
College Composition covers two semesters of required English writing. Passing once at $97 is a solid deal compared to what those two courses cost in tuition.
| Exam fee | $97 one-time |
| Typical tuition equivalent | $800–$4,000+ (two semesters) |
| Credits earned | 6 semester hours (typical) |
| Time to prepare | 3–6 weeks self-study |
| GPA impact | None, pass/fail, not graded |
| Writing required | Yes, two scored essays |
CLEP is the right call here if you are already a confident writer. The exam does not let you coast on memorization as you have to actually produce two solid essays in 120 minutes. If writing is genuinely a weak spot, the class may serve you better, especially if strong writing skills matter in your field. But if you can write clearly and you want to skip a required English sequence, this is one of the better CLEP investments available.
Happy testing!