Description of the Examination
the English Literature examination covers the material usually taught in a two-semester course (or the
equivalent) at the college level. The test is primarily concerned with major
authors and literary works, but it also includes questions on some minor
writers. Candidates are expected to be acquainted with common literary themes,
common literary terms, such as metaphor and personification, and basic literary
forms, such as the sonnet and ballad.
In both coverage and approach, the exam resembles the historically organized survey of English
literature offered by many colleges and deals with literature from Beowulf to
the present. It assumes that the candidate has read widely and developed an
appreciation of English literature, knows the basic literary periods, and has a
sense of the historical development of English literature. Familiarity with and
understanding of major writers is expected, as is knowledge of literary periods
and common literary terms, themes, and forms.
the exam consists of approximately 95 questions to be answered in 90 minutes.
An optional essay section also can be taken in addition to the multiple-choice test. The essay section is
graded by the institution that requests it. Contact the school where you would
like to receive credit for your CLEP exam to see if it requires the optional
essay section for this exam.
Knowledge and Skills Required
the English Literature exam measures both knowledge and ability. The percentages below show the
relative emphasis given to knowledge and ability, but most questions draw on
both.
Approximate Percent of Examination
35-40% |
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Knowledge of information related to:
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60-65% |
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Ability to:
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Study Resources
To prepare for the English Literature exam, you should read critically the contents of at least one
anthology, many of which are used as textbooks in English literature courses at
the college level. Visit your local college bookstore to determine which
anthologies and textbooks are used by the college for English Literature
courses.
Most textbook anthologies contain a representative sample of readings as well as discussions of
historical background, literary styles and devices characteristic of various
authors and periods, and other material relevant to the test. The anthologies
do vary somewhat in content, approach, and emphasis and you are therefore
advised to consult more than one anthology or some specialized books on major
authors, periods, and literary forms and terminology. When selecting a more
specialized book, check the table of contents against the "Knowledge and
Skills Required" section. You should also read some of the major novels
that are mentioned or excerpted in the anthologies. You can probably obtain an
extensive reading list of English literature from a college English department,
library, or bookstore. The Internet is another resource you could explore.