Analyzing & Interpreting Literature

[abby]

Just so you know, I took this test without a prep book. It was the first CLEP I had ever taken, I took English in high school,but not much poetry terminology or anything. So I briefed on some of that, and that's about it. I was told this was the one CLEP you didn't have to study for. Anyways, I passed with a 59. Good luck!

[studyhard]

Originally Posted by resullivanrn

Hi, If you dont mind me asking; did you use just that guide to prepare for the test and how long did you study before scheduling. I am with a test prep company and they sent out a whole huge anthology of literature that we are supposed to read first. Looks like it could take the rest of my life. Thanks, Robin

I'm sorry...I just now saw this....glad some other folks answered your question too. The REA book was the only thing I used, although I did take the practice exam in the Official CLEP study guide also, for extra practice. If you like to read and read a lot and especially have read some classics, the REA book should be fine. (The classics simply give you a feel for the "older" ways certain words, etc. were used, plus improve one's vocabulary). The book itself gives you an overview of various authors and literary styles, etc., and there are a few "technical" questions on the exam about the structure of the passage. But the vast majority of questions simply want you to interpret the passage, and the REA practice tests were extremely helpful for that.

Just an FYI....some of the passages in the REA book and, frankly, on the exam itself, I thought were very obscure and sort of kooky. There were a few in the REA book where I thought they were making stuff up out of thin air. So don't feel like an idiot if you miss a few. But with most of them you can usually figure out the answer they're looking for if you sort of step back and try to get the bigger picture and, y'know, pretend you're a psychologist.

Good luck!