PDF CLEP Western Civilization I The Best Test Preparation for the CLEP Western Civilization I (REA) by Dr. Robert M Ziomkowski; CLEP in History

Review

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Works as an "extra" study guideBy -Bottom line: If I take another CLEP; I WILL get this REA guide; PLUS the CB guide; and I will know I ALSO Have to do more work than that. I did pass; barely; with a 56; after about 3 weeks study over winter break and multiple books.This study guide is difficult to review; as I had no prior CLEP experience. I have a 4.0 at two colleges (about 30 total credits so far)...but I found this a terribly difficult test (as it SHOULD be; it can result in 3 credits afterall!). It is just that there is SO much material to cover. A long time period; a large geographic area (and we have to retrain our brains to think outside of the normal geography with which we are familiar); intense similarities (EVERYONE's name seems to start with an A and end in CLES); many subjects within EACH of these (aforementioned) divisions (monarchy; religion; arts; culture; philosophy; politics; etc.). I have a full time job; and took 16 credit hours last semester; and got a 4.0 in every class; but this was harder. Let's cut to the chase...I passed...barely. I got a 56 (50 is passing for most schools). I read one 25 year old history book - useless. I then read the CURRENT text for this course at my school; made copious notes; reread a large portion of it. I then read this entire REA study guide (149 pages are historical data); and took both tests 3 times over 2 weeks. It really doesn't help to take the tests multiple times...you're learning questions that the actual exam does NOT ask. I also got CBs sample test of 80 questions; and took that 3 times. For what it is worth...both these tests were VERY similar to the actual test. With subjects like biology; accounting; etc...there is one black and white answer most of the time. With this test; a very small percentage of the questions were that defined. MANY questions were EXTREMELY broad. One has to know the IDEAS behind everything...PLUS the details. You need to know every single thing that Martin Luther did AND how all those things shaped the monarchy; religious leaders; the public; politics; the future; etc etc. Because there is just so much data from which to pull; you could be asked ANYTHING. I made COPIOUS notes (the act of writing works as a memorization tool for me); I made flash cards; I hand wrote "mini-essay-biographies" of the more famous names. But you just can't cover it all. I was amazed when I saw how low was the score you had to get; but then I saw why. FYI...After doing all my reading; I got about a raw score somewhere in the 62-68 range; This converts to a 56-59 scaled. When I took the ACTUAL test I got a 56 scaled. So...that's pretty close; and shows your first attempts might be close to your actual. This does not mean you don't have to study more! I would never have gotten the EXTRA overall knowledge I needed to pass without STUDYING and re-reading to get more OVERALL concepts. Once I took the tests; I was able to take them again and get a raw 100+/scaled 80 on every test every time..so retaking the tests didn't help much; but I did it anyway; to get things firmer in my mind.So...did the REA help? Yes; probably. The taking of the tests (the first time) helped almost as much as the content (provided you studied elsewhere as well). We've all heard of Aristotle and Plato; the ancient Roman baths and Greek sarcophagi. But you HAVE to study for this one; unless you've taken a class in high school. Because you have to recognize art; tenets of religions; results of wars; etc. It's tough; but do-able. I can't BELIEVE I'm seeing people who said they studied REA only; and only for a few days; because it's NOT a cakewalk. You can't bluff your way through. GOOD LUCK!!10 of 10 people found the following review helpful. REAs are all good; but this one stands outBy Kelly HessI recently passed the CLEP Western Civ I exam with a 77 (out of a possible 80). I had used REA books in studying for the Humanities General and Natural Sciences exams and found them to be the best starting points for me. The Western Civ I book was different in that it wasn't just my starting point; it was virtually the only study resource I used for that test. What made this possible was the thorough and yet concise information found in this book; coupled with its straightforward approach.The Western Civ I CLEP covers the period from the dawn of civilization (roughly 3;000 BCE) to the year 1648 -- nearly 4;700 years. By contrast; Western Civ II picks up in 1648 and goes to the present -- a mere 360 years.To compress that much history into 352 pages (which includes two full-length practice exams and discussions of correct answers) is quite an accomplishment. To do so with clarity; and while preserving the contexts and transitions that are vital to the understanding needed to pass this test is a major feat.There are no illustrations. You will need to Google search for maps; and for images of things like art and architecture.The difficulty level of the practice exams was right in line with the actual test -- something that can't always be counted on with other CLEP preparation materials.I would even go so far as to say you don't have to be preparing for the exam to benefit from this book. Anyone wanting a better understanding of the world could read this book first for a broad overview of who did what to whom and when and why; before moving on to more in-depth studies.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. GREAT BOOKBy Azfar M. Khandokerthis book is VERY good for the CLEP exam. it is about 120 pages of material; and if you can get all that material down pact; then you should be fine. i just read it a few times and scored just enough to earn the credits. i have NO background in western civilization aside from this book; and this book is all you need.