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% |  |
Knowledge of information related to:
|
| 60-65% | Ability to:
|
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.
