History of the United States I
3 free practice tests · 120 questions each · 1h 30min · No sign-up required
About This Exam
The CLEP History of the United States I exam covers the period from early European colonization through the end of Reconstruction (1877). It tests your knowledge of political, economic, social, intellectual, and cultural developments during this formative period of American history.
What's Covered
- Early colonization — European exploration, colonial societies (New England, Middle, Southern colonies), relations with Native Americans, and colonial governance
- The American Revolution — causes of colonial discontent, key events and battles, the Declaration of Independence, and the Articles of Confederation
- The Constitution and early Republic — the Constitutional Convention, ratification debates, Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists, and the Bill of Rights
- The early national period — Washington through Monroe administrations, Hamilton vs. Jefferson, the War of 1812, the Market Revolution, and Jacksonian democracy
- Antebellum period — westward expansion, Manifest Destiny, the slavery debate, abolitionism, reform movements, and sectionalism
- The Civil War — causes, key battles and turning points, the Emancipation Proclamation, and the home front
- Reconstruction — presidential vs. congressional Reconstruction, the 13th through 15th Amendments, Black Codes, and the end of Reconstruction
For the official exam description, see the College Board CLEP US History I page.
Study Tips
- This exam is broad. Don't spend all your study time on the Civil War — colonization and the early Republic are equally weighted.
- Know the major compromises: the Great Compromise, the Three-Fifths Compromise, the Missouri Compromise, the Compromise of 1850, and Kansas-Nebraska Act.
- Understand the evolution of slavery as both an economic system and a political issue from colonial times through the Civil War.
- Be able to identify key figures and associate them with the correct era. Mixing up Andrew Jackson with Andrew Johnson is a common mistake.
- The exam tests cause and effect more than dates. Focus on why events happened, not just when.
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 their 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.