CLEP History of the United States II: 1865 to the Present - Exam Fact Sheet

Sep 29, 2026

CLEP® History of the United States II: 1865 to the Present exam assesses knowledge and skills for U.S. history from the end of the Civil War to the present, emphasizing the 20th century. The test includes about 120 questions completed in 90 minutes, with some unscored pretest items plus extra time for tutorials and personal information. It evaluates identifying, analyzing, interpreting, and comparing historical phenomena across political, social, economic, cultural, and diplomatic topics.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages4

Reading Time10 min

AccessFree to download

Description of the Exam

Knowledge and Skills Required

Topical Specifications

Chronological Specifications

Specific Topics Tested

Study Resources

Sample Test Questions

CLEP® History of the United States II: 1865 to the Present AT A GLANCE Description of the Exam The History of the United States II: 1865 to the Present exam covers material that is usually taught in the second semester of what is often a two-semester course in United States history. The exam covers the period of United States history from the end of the Civil War to the present, with the majority of the questions on the 20th century. 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 II 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 II 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 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% 1865–1914 70% 1915–present The following are among the specific topics tested: § The impact of the Civil War and Reconstruction on the South § The motivations and character of American expansionism and imperialism § Legal history, including constitutional amendments and major Supreme Court cases § The role of the environment in United States history § The development of American political parties, movements, and realignments § The changing role of the federal government in the economy and American life § The intellectual and political expressions of liberalism and conservatism § Long-term demographic trends § The process of economic growth and development, including periods of depression and recession § The changing occupational structure, nature of work, and labor organization § Immigration and the history of racial and ethnic minorities § Urbanization and industrialization § The causes and effects of major wars in United States history and diplomacy and engagement with the world § Major movements and individual figures in the history of American arts and culture § Trends in the history of women and the family § Trends in education, science, and technology and their impact on United States society § Civil rights movements, the women’s rights movement, protest movements, and the expansion of individual rights and civil liberties Study Resources Most textbooks used in college-level United States history (post-1865) courses cover the topics in the outline above, but the approaches to certain topics and the emphases given to them may differ. 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 specialized historical studies. Pay attention to visual materials (pictures, maps, and charts) as you study. A survey conducted by CLEP® found that the following textbooks are among those used by college faculty who teach the equivalent course. You might find one or more of these online or at your local college bookstore. | Berkin et al., Making America (Wadsworth) | | --- | | Boydston et al., Making a Nation (Prentice Hall) | | Boyer et al., The Enduring Vision (Wadsworth) | | Brinkley, American History: A Survey (McGraw-Hill) | | Davidson et al., Nation of Nations: A Concise Narrative of the American Republic (McGraw-Hill) | | Divine et al., The American Story (Penguin/Prentice Hall) | | Faragher e

FAQs

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

It covers U.S. history from the end of the Civil War to the present, with most questions focused on the 20th century.

How many questions are on the exam and how long is the testing time?

The exam has approximately 120 questions to be answered in 90 minutes, and some questions are unscored pretest items.

What types of skills are tested on this exam?

Test takers must be able to identify and describe historical phenomena, analyze and interpret them, and compare and contrast historical phenomena.

Sep 29, 2026

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