CLEP History of the United States I - Early Colonization to 1877 - Exam Overview

Sep 29, 2026

CLEP® History of the United States I: Early Colonization to 1877 exam assesses knowledge typically taught in the first semester of a two-semester U.S. history course, spanning early European colonization through the end of Reconstruction, with most questions focused on 1790–1877. The exam emphasizes British colonies for the 17th–18th centuries, includes a limited set of questions before 1500, and evaluates identification, analysis, and comparison of historical phenomena. It contains about 120 questions to be completed in 90 minutes, with additional time for tutorials and personal information.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages5

Reading Time13 min

AccessFree to download

At a Glance

Description of the Exam

Knowledge and Skills Required

Topical Specifications

Chronological Specifications

Study Resources

CLEP® History of the United States I: Early Colonization to 1877 AT A GLANCE Description of the Exam The History of the United States I: Early Colonization to 1877 exam covers material that is usually taught in the first semester of a two-semester course in United States history. The exam covers the period of United States history from early European colonization to the end of Reconstruction, with the majority of the questions on the period of 1790–1877. In the part covering the 17th and 18th centuries, emphasis is placed on the British colonies. The exam includes a small number of questions on the Americas before 1500. The exam contains approximately 120 questions tobe answered in 90 minutes. Some of these are pretest questions that won’t be scored. Any time test takers spend on tutorials and providing personal information is in addition to the actual testing time. Knowledge and Skills Required Questions on the History of the United States I exam require candidates to demonstrate one or more of the following abilities: § Identify and describe historical phenomena § Analyze and interpret historical phenomena § Compare and contrast historical phenomena The subject matter of the History of the United States I exam is drawn from the following topics. The percentages next to the main topics indicate the approximate percentage of exam questions on that topic. TOPICAL SPECIFICATIONS 30% Political institutions, political developments, and public policy 30% Social developments 10% Economic developments 20% Cultural and intellectual developments 10% Diplomacy and international relations Updated April 2020 CHRONOLOGICAL SPECIFICATIONS 30% 1500–1789 70% 1790–1877 The following themes are reflected in a comprehensive introductory survey course: § The nature of Indigenous societies in North America. The theme includes a small number of questions on the Americas before 1500. § The impact of European discovery and colonization upon indigenous societies. The focus is placed on the British colonies, but this theme includes a small number of questions on Spanish, French, and Dutch colonization, and the Columbian Exchange. § The origins and nature of slavery and resistance to it § Immigration and the history of ethnic minorities § The history of women, changing gender roles, and family structures § The development and character of colonial societies § British relations with the Atlantic colonies of North America § The changing role of religion in American society § The causes, events, and consequences of the American Revolution § The content of the Constitution and its amendments, and their interpretation by the United States Supreme Court § The development and expansion of participatory democracy § The growth of and changes in political parties § The changing role of government in American life § The intellectual and political expressions of nationalism § Major movements and individual figures in the history of American literature, art, and popular culture § Abolitionism and reform movements § Long-term demographic trends (immigration and internal migration) § The motivations for and character of American expansionism § The process of economic growth and development § The causes and consequences of conflicts with Native Americans, the War of 1812, the Mexican-American War, and the Civil War and Reconstruction Study Resources Most textbooks used in college-level United States history courses cover the topics in the outline above, but the approaches to certain topics and the emphases given to them may differ. To prepare for the History of the United States I exam, it’s advisable to study one or more college textbooks, which can be found in most college bookstores When selecting a textbook, check the table of contents against the knowledge and skills required for this test. Additional details and differing interpretations can be gained by consulting readers and speci

FAQs

What time period does the CLEP History of the United States I exam cover?

It covers early European colonization through the end of Reconstruction, with most questions on 1790–1877. The test also includes a small number of questions on the Americas before 1500 and emphasizes British colonies in the 17th and 18th centuries.

How many questions and how much testing time does the exam require?

The exam has approximately 120 questions to be answered in 90 minutes. Some questions are pretest and won’t be scored, and tutorial/personal-information time is in addition to the testing time.

What types of skills are tested on this exam?

Candidates must identify and describe historical phenomena, analyze and interpret historical phenomena, and compare and contrast historical phenomena based on the exam’s topics.

Sep 29, 2026

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