The CLEP General Examination in Natural Sciences covers a wide range of topics frequently taught in introductory courses surveying both biological and physical sciences at the freshman or sophomore level. Such courses generally satisfy distribution or general education requirements. The primary objective of the exam is to give candidates the opportunity to demonstrate a level of knowledge and understanding expected of college students meeting a distribution or general education requirement in the natural sciences. Some may grant specific course credit, on the basis of the total score for a two-semester survey course covering both biological and physical sciences. Knowledge and Skills Required Questions on the exam require candidates to demonstrate one or more of the following abilities.
More emphasis is given to qualitative than quantitative applications.
The subject matter of the General Examination in Natural Sciences is drawn from the following topics. Some of the questions on the exam cover topics that overlap with those listed above, drawing on areas such as history and philosophy of science, scientific methods, science applications and technology, and the relationship of science to contemporary problems of society, such as environmental pollution and depletion of energy supply. Some questions on the exam are laboratory oriented. Study Resources Visit a local college bookstore to determine which textbooks are used by the college for natural science courses. To prepare for the Natural Sciences exam, students are advised to study from more than one textbook to cover all the subject matter, selecting at least one biological science and one physical science textbook.