Human Growth and Development
3 free practice tests · 90 questions each · 1h 30min · Lifespan developmental psychology
About This Exam
The CLEP Human Growth and Development exam measures college-level understanding of developmental psychology across the lifespan, including biological, cognitive, language, social, and emotional development. Questions are written to reflect the official College Board blueprint and mix direct knowledge, application, interpretation, and scenario-based reasoning.
Exam note: CLEP states that exam terminology follows DSM-5 terminology, criteria, and classifications.
What's Covered
- Theories and methods — Piaget, Vygotsky, Erikson, learning theory, ecological systems, and developmental research designs
- Lifespan development — biological, perceptual, cognitive, language, intelligence, social, and emotional change
- Contexts of development — family, culture, schooling, work, media, interventions, and role transitions
- Developmental disorders — DSM-5 terminology, risk factors, and developmental psychopathology
For the official exam description, see the College Board CLEP Human Growth and Development page.
Study Tips
- Track theories by what they explain best: cognition, psychosocial development, learning, or context.
- Practice identifying the research design that fits a developmental question.
- Compare typical age-related patterns without reducing development to rigid age cutoffs.
- Use DSM-5-aligned terminology when thinking about developmental disorders.
- Expect application questions about classrooms, families, caregiving, and life transitions.
How to Register
Register at clep.collegeboard.org. The exam costs $97 and can be taken at a testing center or remotely. Check with your college for its CLEP credit policy and minimum score requirements before registering. Military service members, their spouses, and eligible veterans may be able to take the exam at no cost through DANTES funding.
About Our Practice Tests
All questions are original and written to match the difficulty, format, and topic coverage of the real exam based on official exam descriptions. We offer two modes: Practice Mode gives you instant feedback and explanations after each question, and Test Mode simulates the real exam with a timer and no feedback until you submit. Both modes are completely free with no account required.
Sample Practice Questions
Review these sample questions to get a feel for the exam. For the full interactive experience, use the Practice Tests above.
Which term best matches the description below?
The theory that children actively construct knowledge through stages of cognitive development.
- A) cross-sectional study
- B) Piaget cognitive developmental theory
- C) teratogen
- D) puberty
- E) brain plasticity
View Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer:
B) Piaget cognitive developmental theory
Piaget cognitive developmental theory is the theory that children actively construct knowledge through stages of cognitive development. In context, a teacher recognizes that younger children may struggle with conservation tasks because their reasoning is still tied to more concrete stages.
Which term best matches the description below?
The view that cognitive development is shaped by social interaction, language, and cultural tools.
- A) teratogen
- B) puberty
- C) Vygotsky sociocultural theory
- D) brain plasticity
- E) habituation
View Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer:
C) Vygotsky sociocultural theory
Vygotsky sociocultural theory is the view that cognitive development is shaped by social interaction, language, and cultural tools. In context, an adult gives guided help during a task so that a child can perform at a level just beyond independent ability.
Which term best matches the description below?
The theory that development unfolds through lifespan stages marked by central psychosocial conflicts.
- A) puberty
- B) brain plasticity
- C) habituation
- D) Erikson psychosocial theory
- E) sensitive period
View Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer:
D) Erikson psychosocial theory
Erikson psychosocial theory is the theory that development unfolds through lifespan stages marked by central psychosocial conflicts. In context, an adolescent explores identity, values, and future roles instead of simply repeating childhood patterns.
Which term best matches the description below?
A research design that follows the same participants over time to observe developmental change.
- A) brain plasticity
- B) habituation
- C) sensitive period
- D) object permanence
- E) longitudinal study
View Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer:
E) longitudinal study
longitudinal study is a research design that follows the same participants over time to observe developmental change. In context, a psychologist measures language growth in one group of children every year from age three to age ten.
Which term best matches the description below?
A research design that compares participants of different ages at one point in time.
- A) cross-sectional study
- B) habituation
- C) sensitive period
- D) object permanence
- E) conservation
View Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer:
A) cross-sectional study
cross-sectional study is a research design that compares participants of different ages at one point in time. In context, a researcher compares memory scores from children, teenagers, adults, and older adults during the same semester.