CLEP Introductory Psychology (REA) - The Best Test Prep for the CLEP (CLEP Test Preparation)
About Research & Education AssociationResearch & Education Association (REA) is an organization of educators, scientists, and engineers specializing in various academic fields. Founded in 1959 with the purpose of disseminating the most recently developed scientific information to groups in industry, government, high schools, and universities, REA has since become a successful and highly respected publisher of study aids, test preps, handbooks, and reference works.REA's Test Preparation series includes study guides for all academic levels in almost all disciplines. Research & Education Association publishes test preps for students who have not yet completed high school, as well as high school students preparing to enter college. Students from countries around the world seeking to attend college in the United States will find the assistance they need in REA's publications. 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They are well-known in their respective disciplines and serve on the faculties of prestigious high schools, colleges, and universities throughout the United States and Canada.Chapter 1 - PASSING THE CLEP INTRODUCTORY PSYCHOLOGY CBTABOUT THIS BOOKThis book provides you with complete preparation for the CLEP Introductory Psychology Computer-Based Test, or CBT. Inside you will find a concise review of the subject matter, as well as tips and strategies for test-taking. We also give you two practice tests, all based on the official CLEP Introductory Psychology CBT. Our practice tests contain every type of question that you can expect to encounter on the actual exam. Following each practice test you will find an answer key with detailed explanations designed to help you more completely understand the test material.All 34 CLEP exams are computer-based. As you can see, the practice tests in our book are presented as paper-and-pencil exams. The content and format of the actual CLEP subject exams are faithfully mirrored. We detail the format of the CLEP Introductory Psychology CBT on pages 5-6.ABOUT THE EXAMWho takes the CLEP Introductory Psychology CBT and what is it used for?CLEP (College-Level Examination Program) examinations are typically taken by people who have acquired knowledge outside the classroom and wish to bypass certain college courses and earn college credit. The CLEP is designed to reward students for learning - no matter where or how that knowledge was acquired. The CLEP is the most widely accepted credit-by-examination program in the country, with more than 2,900 colleges and universities granting credit for satisfactory scores on CLEP exams.Although most CLEP examinees are adults returning to college, many graduating high school seniors, enrolled college students, and international students also take the exams to earn college credit or to demonstrate their ability to perform at the college level. There are no prerequisites, such as age or educational status, for taking CLEP examinations. However, because policies on granting credits vary among colleges, you should contact the particular institution from which you wish to receive CLEP credit.There are two categories of CLEP examinations:1. CLEP General Examinations, which are five separate tests that cover material usually taken as requirements during the first two years of college. CLEP General Examinations are available for English Composition (with or without essay), Humanities, Mathematics, Natural Sciences, and Social Sciences and History.2. CLEP Subject Examinations, which include material usually covered in an undergraduate course with a similar title. The CLEP Introductory Psychology is one of 29 subject examinations.Who administers the exam?The CLEP CBTs are developed by the College Board, administered by Educational Testing Service (ETS), and involve the assistance of educators throughout the United States. The test development process is designed and implemented to ensure that the content and difficulty level of the test are appropriate.When and where is the exam given?The CLEP Introductory Psychology CBT is administered each month throughout the year at more than 1,400 test centers in the United States and can be arranged for candidates abroad on request. To find the test center nearest you and to register for the exam, you should obtain a copy of the free booklets CLEP Colleges and CLEP Information for Candidates and Registration Form. They are available at most colleges where CLEP credit is granted, or by contacting:CLEP ServicesP.O. Box 6600Princeton, NJ 08541-6600Phone: (609) 771-7865Fax: (609) 771-7088Website: http://www.collegeboard.comMilitary personnel and CLEPCLEP Exams are available free-of-charge to eligible military personnel and eligible civilian employees. The College Board has developed a paper-based version of 14 high volume/high pass rate CLEP tests for DANTES Test Centers, including Introductory Psychology. Contact the Educational Services Officer or Navy College Education Specialist for more information. Also see, the College Board website for details about CLEP opportunities for military personnel.HOW TO USE THIS BOOKWhat do I study first?Read over the course review and the suggestions for test-taking, take the first practice test to determine your area(s) of weakness, and then go back and focus your study on those specific problems. Studying the reviews thoroughly will reinforce the basic skills you will need to do well on the exam. Make sure to take the practice tests to become familiar with the format and procedures involved with taking the actual exam.To best utilize your study time, follow our Independent Study Schedule, which you'll find in the front of this book. The schedule is based on a six-week program, but can be condensed to three weeks if necessary by collapsing each two-week period into one.When should I start studying?It is never too early to start studying for the CLEP Introductory Psychology. The earlier you begin, the more time you will have to sharpen your skills. Do not procrastinate! Cramming is not an effective way to study, since it does not allow you the time needed to learn the test material. The sooner you learn the format of the exam, the more time you will have to familiarize yourself with it.FORMAT AND CONTENT OF THE CLEP CBTThe CLEP Introductory Psychology covers the material one would find in a college-level introductory Psychology class. The exam stresses basic facts and principles, as well as general theoretical approaches used by psychologists.There are approximately 100 multiple-choice questions, each with five possible answer choices, to be answered within 90 minutes.The approximate breakdown of topics is as follows:8-9% History, Approaches, Methods8-9% Biological Bases of Behavior7-8% Sensation and Perception5-6% States of Consciousness10-11% The Sociological Perspective8-9% Cognition7-8% Motivation and Emotion7-8% Personality8-9% Psychological Disorders and Health7-8% Treatment of Psychological Disorders7-8% Social Psychology3-4% Statistics, Tests, and MeasurementABOUT OUR COURSE REVIEWThe review in this book provides you with a complete background of all the pertinent theorists, principles, and concepts of Psychology. It will help reinforce the facts you have already learned while better shaping your understanding of the discipline as a whole. By using the review in conjunction with the practice tests, you should be well prepared to take the CLEP Introductory Psychology.SCORING YOUR PRACTICE TESTSHow do I score my practice tests?The CLEP Introductory Psychology is scored on a scale of 20 to 80. To score your practice tests, count up the number of correct answers. This is your total raw score. Convert your raw score to a scaled score using the conversion table on the following page. (Note: The conversion table provides only an estimate of your scaled score. Scaled scores can and do vary over time, and in no case should a sample test be taken as a precise predictor of test performance. Nonetheless, our scoring table allows you to judge your level of performance within a reasonable scoring range.)When will I receive my score report?The test administrator will print out a full Candidate Score Report for you immediately upon your completion of the CBT (except for CLEP English Composition with Essay). Your scores are reported only to you, unless you ask to have them sent elsewhere. If you want your scores reported to a college or other institution, you must say so when you take the examination. Since your scores are kept on file for 20 years, you can also request transcripts from Educational Testing Service at a later date.STUDYING FOR THE CLEP CBTIt is very important for you to choose the time and place for studying that works best for you. Some students may set aside a certain number of hours every morning, w...