Social Sciences and History
3 free practice tests · 120 questions each · 1h 30min · Broad social science survey
About This Exam
The CLEP Social Sciences and History exam measures college-level understanding of survey of U.S. history, Western civilization, world history, political science, geography, and economics. Questions are written to reflect the official College Board blueprint and mix direct knowledge, application, interpretation, and scenario-based reasoning.
What's Covered
- History — U.S. history, Western civilization, and world history across political, social, economic, and cultural developments
- Government and political science — U.S. institutions, civil liberties, comparative politics, international relations, and political behavior
- Geography — population, regional geography, spatial interaction, physical geography, and cultural patterns
- Economics — scarcity, markets, macroeconomic policy, measurement, trade, and major schools of thought
For the official exam description, see the College Board CLEP Social Sciences and History page.
Study Tips
- Do not study this as a single history exam; keep the political science, geography, and economics sections active.
- Practice moving between broad survey knowledge and specific examples.
- Graphs, maps, and short data interpretations matter because the exam tests analysis as well as recall.
- Use timelines to keep U.S., Western, and world history separate in your head.
- Expect some distractors to be historically plausible but tied to the wrong region, era, or social science lens.
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 movement through which the British colonies in North America sought and won independence.
- A) Great Depression and New Deal
- B) American Revolution
- C) Cold War and civil rights era
- D) Constitution and federalism
- E) Civil War and Reconstruction
View Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer:
B) American Revolution
American Revolution is the movement through which the British colonies in North America sought and won independence. In context, a survey question focuses on colonial resistance, declarations of rights, and the war that created an independent republic.
Which term best matches the description below?
The framework of national government that divided powers between the federal government and the states.
- A) Cold War and civil rights era
- B) American Revolution
- C) Constitution and federalism
- D) Civil War and Reconstruction
- E) industrialization
View Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer:
C) Constitution and federalism
Constitution and federalism is the framework of national government that divided powers between the federal government and the states. In context, a civics and history item asks how ratification debates shaped the balance between national power and state authority.
Which term best matches the description below?
The conflict over union and slavery and the effort to rebuild the nation and redefine citizenship afterward.
- A) American Revolution
- B) Constitution and federalism
- C) industrialization
- D) Civil War and Reconstruction
- E) Great Depression and New Deal
View Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer:
D) Civil War and Reconstruction
Civil War and Reconstruction is the conflict over union and slavery and the effort to rebuild the nation and redefine citizenship afterward. In context, a historical question asks how emancipation and the Reconstruction amendments transformed the United States.
Which term best matches the description below?
The expansion of large-scale manufacturing, railroads, and urban economic growth after the Civil War.
- A) Constitution and federalism
- B) Civil War and Reconstruction
- C) Great Depression and New Deal
- D) Cold War and civil rights era
- E) industrialization
View Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer:
E) industrialization
industrialization is the expansion of large-scale manufacturing, railroads, and urban economic growth after the Civil War. In context, an item asks how corporations, immigration, and cities changed work and daily life in the late nineteenth century.
Which term best matches the description below?
The economic crisis of the 1930s and the expansion of federal relief, recovery, and reform efforts.
- A) Great Depression and New Deal
- B) Civil War and Reconstruction
- C) industrialization
- D) Cold War and civil rights era
- E) American Revolution
View Answer & Explanation
Correct Answer:
A) Great Depression and New Deal
Great Depression and New Deal is the economic crisis of the 1930s and the expansion of federal relief, recovery, and reform efforts. In context, a survey prompt asks why unemployment and banking collapse changed the relationship between citizens and the federal government.