The material covered in the CLEP exam in psychology (which is reflected in the lecture notes and study guide which follow) is generally considered equivalent to a one semester lower division college course.

Exam type:
CLEP: 100 multiple choice questions in 90 minutes
Typical credits: 3 units
GRE: 220 multiple choice questions
Typical credit: 12- 18 units

For more details about the GRE click here.

The CLEP Exam

NOTE: There is no on-line course that appears to relate directly to the CLEP Exam. I have drawn from several courses and some guest lectures that seem to reflect the content required on the CLEP. Featured faculty and their home pages can be found at the end of this page.

(I didn't promise you a rose garden. See disclaimer.)

This suggested study guide is based on the work of psychology professors who have generously posted their lectures and outlines on the Web, plus a small selection from the hundreds of psychology-related links on the Web.

Key areas covered include:

• History, Approaches and Research Methodology
• Biological Basis of Behavior
• Sensation and Perception
• States of Consciouness
• Learning
• Cognition
• Motivation and Emotion
• Developmental Psychology
• Treatment of Disorders
• Social Psychology
• Statistics, Tests and Measurements

These 13 major sections (according to the College Board) are treated about evenly, with a little heavier emphasis on Learning and a little less on Statistics. Most standard college textbooks contain chapters with similar headings. There seems to be very little emphasis placed on the biographies of key figures in the field, except as they relate to Approaches and Treatment. Always check with The College Board for the latest information.

Getting Started

Preliminary Overview: Check a major encyclopedia (example the free The Columbia Encyclopedia under the following headings and follow cross references. Remember to take notes and make entries in your journal.

1. Psychology, History
2. Psychology (main heading)
3. Nervous System (human)
4. Sleep
5. Psychology, Comparative
6. Psychological Measurement
7. Learning
8. Memory
9. Abnormal Psychology
10. Psychosis
11. Psychiatry
12. Psychoanalysis
13. Social Psychology (may be included in above)

(If you haven't read a general step-by-step guide, this might be a good time. See also How to Budget Your Time)

Using the Free University Project Study Guide

A) Read the Introductory Material suggested in the Study Guide. Spend some time examining the following sites that provide on-line quizzes and review questions. Bookmark them so that you can test yourself periodically.
Self Quiz : Dewey 10 multiple choice questions for each of 14 chapters in Russ Dewey's psychology text.
Psych102 Studymenu : Southern Illinois University Carbondale

You will want to take advantage of these quizzes as you complete each unit. (Make notes in your journal for each quiz you take, and the percentage of right answers, as yet another guide to help you determine your strengths and weaknesses.)

B) Read the material in the first two or three topics in the Study Guide. In order to stay focused, only follow those links within the lectures and outlines that seem to be directly related to the subject matter at hand. Take your own notes. If you print out the material, highlight key definitions and concepts for review. Add your own marginal notes.

C) Read corresponding material in a textbook of your choice.

D) Take one or more of the on-line quizzes.

E) Read the next two or three topics as you did in B)

Repeat the cycle. Periodically take time to review; do suggested exercises; take a practice CLEP exam and review areas of weakness.

Remember to keep your journal up to date.

Introduction

To ease your way into the subject you should look at Serendip : Guest Exhibitions Mind and Body: Rene Descartes to William James : Bryn Mawr

Another introduction can be found at this description of a course at the University of Minnesota.

There are 10 lecture outlines and quizzes by Charles J. Long, Ph.D.,The University of Memphis Neuropsychology Program, which are good for review.

NEW: Another lecture series by Evan Pritchard. Ph.D., University of Winnepeg has also been incorporated into the Study Guide.

We have attempted to weave these together in the study guide by main subjects.

You should also bookmark and print out the main menu of the psychology links of the Amoeba Web from Southern California College. Follow subject specific links (eg. Learning) as you complete each subject area.

Preparing for the exam

Basic divisions of the CLEP exam and related links (Percentages following major headings are those indicated by the College Board.)