History of the United States I: Early Colonization to 1877 CLEP Test

CLEP (College Level Examination Program)

There are 286 multiple-choice practice questions and detailed explanations contained in the Practice Tests and Study Guides below.

The ACE (American Council on Education) recommends 3 lower level college credits for this exam.

Studying, and passing, the practice tests below will allow you to confidently take and pass your History of the United States I CLEP test. The overall key concepts, and specific individual points, that will allow you to pass your test are within the practice questions and detailed explanations.

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CLEP Practice Test and Study Guides - Begin your studies here # of questions
Colonial Period to the American Revolution, 1500-1787 74
The Newly Formed United States, 1787-1824 66
Jacksonian Democracy and the Mexican War, 1824-1850 65
Philosophy and Politics of the Time Period 41
Sectional Tensions and the Civil War 40


Course Information and Overview
This CLEP Test consists of material typically taught in an introductory-level college course. The actual CLEP Test is 120 questions and allows 90 minutes to complete. You will need to have the ability to describe and identify historical events, analyze and interpret historical events, and compare and contrast historical events.

The History of the United States I: Early Colonization to 1877 test consists of the following topics:

  • Political institutions, political developments, behavior, and public policy (35%)
  • Social developments (25%)
  • Economic developments (10%)
  • Cultural and intellectual developments (15%)
  • Diplomacy and international relations (15%)

From a chronological standpoint 30% of the test is derived from 1500-1789 and 70% is derived from 1790-1877.

According to the official College Board site the History of the United States I CLEP test contains questions from the following topics:

Indigenous societies in North America and their nature
The European discovery of America and colonization
Slavery and its origins and definition
Ethnic minorities and immigration
People of influence and their roles in history
Colonial societies and their development and characterization
Religion in America
The Constitution and amendments to the Constitution
The Supreme Court and decisions regarding the Constitution
Democracy and its origins and expansion
Political parties and their roles in American expansion
Government and the affects on American life
Nationalism and its role and effects
Authors, artists, and other influential Americans
The Reform Movement
Democratic trends and their relationship with the voting public
Economic growth and development
American expansionist movement
Major wars and the United States, their historical impact, beginnings and causes

CLEP History of the United States I: Early Colonization to 1877 information is available at The College Board.