The CLEP Humanities Exam measures your knowledge of literature, art, architecture, music, dance, theater and film. It's a free college credit exam that's administered by the College Board.
The exam questions are drawn from the entire history of art and culture. They're fairly evenly divided between the following periods: Classical, Medieval and Renaissance, seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, nineteenth century, and twentieth century.
Your personal strengths and limitations will determine that. The simplest CLEP exam for one individual could be the hardest for another because the tests are subjective. For someone who has taken years of advanced math classes, the College Mathematics exam might be a piece of cake. Practice with the free CLEP practice test on PracticeTestGeeks (25 questions with answer explanations).
The simplest CLEP exam for one individual could be the hardest for another because the tests are subjective. For someone who has taken years of advanced math classes, the College Mathematics exam might be a piece of cake. Yet someone who has math difficulties might find it challenging.
One of the toughest CLEP tests is thought to be the Humanities one. Since it covers nearly two centuries’ worth of literature, poetry, art, architecture, philosophy, and music, it is a very broad test. There’s a lot of ground to cover there!
– Examine the exact details the College Board has provided regarding each exam you intend to take.
– Online CLEP practice exams can be purchased or taken for free.
– Plan your study periods for when you can concentrate without being distracted.
Studying for a CLEP exam could take a few weeks to a few months, depending on your learning preferences. The more time you have to study, generally speaking, the better. Maintain a calendar and schedule an hour or two every day or every other day for studying.
A passing score on a CLEP exam is typically 50 out of 80, or a grade of 63%. The catch is that whether you receive a 50 or an 80 on a CLEP test, a “P” for “pass” will appear on your transcript. You shouldn’t expect to pass the CLEP exam with flying colors because it covers such a wide range of topics.
The terminology for b.c.e. (before the common era) and c.e. is used in the Humanities test. (common era) is now used instead of b.c. Before to Christ and A.D. (In the year ). There are around 140 questions in the exam, and you get 90 minutes to complete them.
There are around 140 questions in the exam, and you get 90 minutes to complete them. There are some of these pretest questions that won’t be graded. Colleges may accept test takers who receive satisfactory results on the Humanities exam as credit toward meeting a distribution requirement.
One of the most challenging CLEP tests has a reputation for being the humanities one. After all, it is a very inclusive test that covers nearly two centuries’ worth of music, poetry, art, architecture, and literature. There is a lot of information to cover!
The Humanities exam gauges broad understanding of music, art, literature, and other performing arts. It has a wide range of topics covered, including poetry, prose, philosophy, art, architecture, music, dance, theater, and film, as well as topics from the classical to the modern eras.
The Humanities examination measures general knowledge of literature, visual and performing arts, music, and other humanities. It has a wide range of topics covered, including poetry, fiction, philosophy, art, architecture, music, dance, theater, and film, and it asks questions on anything from classical to modern times.
All of the information in the Official Study Guide is available in the CLEP Individual Exam Guides, but only for one particular exam. We advise buying an Individual Study Guide if you just intend to take one or two CLEP examinations. Consider buying the CLEP Official Study Guide if you intend to take more than two examinations.
The Research & Education Association creates excellent test-prep materials for CLEP exams, including The CLEP Biology Book.
English language learners and international test-takers can assess their proficiency level and practice all test sections with our OET listening practice 2026.
Interactive CLEP resources on PracticeTestGeeks, free to start:
Facts verified Oct 26, 2026 against College Board. Dates that have passed are removed automatically.
Facts verified Oct 26, 2026 against College Board. Dates that have passed are removed automatically.
| Item | Detail | Official source |
|---|---|---|
| Number of questions (American Government) | About 100 questions | College Board |
| Number of questions (College Composition) | 50 multiple-choice questions + 2 essays | College Board |
| Time limit (American Government) | 90 minutes | College Board |
| Passing score | 50 on a 20–80 scale (ACE recommendation) | College Board |
| Exam fee | $97 per exam + test center or remote proctoring admin fee | College Board |
| Exam fee (Remote proctoring fee) | $30 remote proctoring fee | College Board |
| Retake fee | Retests self-funded for DANTES examinees; fees forfeited if retaken early | College Board |
| Retake policy | Wait 3 months before retaking the same title | College Board |
| Validity | Scores available 10 years (exams from July 1, 2022 on) | College Board |
| Delivery | Test center or remote proctoring | College Board |
| Eligibility | Anyone at a test center; remote: age 13+ (18+ in Illinois), in the U.S. or DANTES-funded | College Board |
| Score release (College Composition / Spanish with Writing) | 2–3 weeks after exam day | College Board |
| Testing window | Year-round, flexible schedule | College Board |
Facts verified Oct 26, 2026 against College Board. Dates that have passed are removed automatically.
Prepare for the CLEP - College Level Examination Program exam with our free practice test modules. Each quiz covers key topics to help you pass on your first try.
If you want to get college credit for your humanities courses but don’t really have the time to take a traditional class, the CLEP exam is a great option. You can earn the credits you need without taking a standard course, saving yourself valuable time and money in the process.
CLEP exams are designed to test general knowledge in the areas of literature, art, music, and performing arts. They’re broad in coverage, with questions on all periods from classical to contemporary and in many different fields: poetry, prose, philosophy, art, architecture, music, dance, theater and film.
A CLEP Humanities Exam is one of the most popular CLEP exams. This test is available to high school, homeschoolers, military personnel and anyone who wants to gain college credit for their non-traditional learning.
In order to prepare for the CLEP Humanities exam, it is important to read as much material as possible. Reading classics and popular modern works can be a great way to familiarize yourself with the subject matter. You can also browse through online resources that provide an introduction to the topics. You can also use flashcards to study for this test.
Try these questions from our free CLEP practice tests. The correct answer and an explanation follow each question.
Which sort of nuclear process involves the splitting of atomic nuclei into smaller nuclei?
Answer: D. Fission
Nuclear fission is a process in which the nucleus of a heavy atom, such as uranium or plutonium, splits into two or more smaller nuclei. This splitting process releases a tremendous amount of energy, often accompanied by the emission of neutrons and gamma rays. This is distinct from nuclear fusion, which involves combining light nuclei.
Which of the following plant organelles contains the pigment responsible for the color of the leaves?
Answer: C. Chloroplasts
Chloroplasts are the organelles in plant cells responsible for photosynthesis, the process of converting light energy into chemical energy. These organelles contain chlorophyll, the green pigment that absorbs sunlight and gives leaves their characteristic color. Without chloroplasts and chlorophyll, plants would not be able to perform photosynthesis.
The molecule used by animals as a quick energy source is
Answer: C. Glycogen
Glycogen is the primary storage form of glucose in animals, predominantly found in the liver and muscle cells. It is a highly branched polysaccharide that can be rapidly broken down into glucose molecules when the body needs a quick source of energy. Starch is the energy storage in plants, while triglycerides are for long-term energy storage in animals.
In a dihybrid cross of two heterozygotes (AaBb x AaBb), what is the expected phenotypic ratio?
Answer: C. 9:3:3:1
Independent assortment of two traits yields a 9:3:3:1 phenotypic ratio.