How to Prepare for the CLEP Spanish Language Exam
The College-Level Examination Program allows students of varying ages, including those in high school, to earn college credit by demonstrating their mastery of introductory college-level material. The CLEP Spanish Language exam is the most popular offering, according to the College Board, which administers the program.
Students have approximately 90 minutes to answer around 121 multiple-choice questions on the Spanish exam. The test can be challenging, as it involves material typically covered over two to three college semesters, and it contains a variety of question formats.
Unlike Advanced Placement courses, CLEP exams are not accompanied by a yearlong class, so preparing may seem like a broad and difficult task. Here are three points to keep in mind if you plan to sit for the CLEP Spanish Language exam.
[Learn how some high schoolers may benefit from taking CLEP exams.]
1. Determine which skills will be assessed: The CLEP Spanish Language exam measures students' listening and reading skills. Speaking and writing are not evaluated, which some students may welcome.
Keeping the tested skills in mind, you can appropriately allocate your study efforts. To improve your listening comprehension, dedicate 30 to 60 minutes each day to listening to the Spanish language. For example, you can listen to music in Spanish, surround yourself with native Spanish speakers or watch films and television shows in Spanish.
To improve your reading comprehension, look through a publication printed in Spanish every day. On certain days you might choose to read a magazine article, while on others, you may turn to literary works like poetry or short stories.
Ultimately, your aim is to expose yourself to the language -- especially to elements like sentence structure and vocabulary -- through materials that you enjoy.
[Find out about four questions to ask before pursuing CLEP credit.]
2. Understand the scoring system: The CLEP Spanish Language exam covers two levels of material. The number of college credit hours you earn will partially depend on your score.
The exam is scored from 20 to 80, with 80 being the highest score. A score of 50 can earn you credit for Level 1, for which the American Council on Education recommends that colleges award six semester hours of credit. A score of 63 can earn you credit for both Levels 1 and 2, for which ACE recommends nine credits.
Note, however, that colleges and universities independently determine how much credit to award for CLEP results.
The difference between six and nine credit hours can amount to thousands of dollars. If you apply yourself to CLEP review now, you may thank yourself later for the college savings.
[Learn how earning college credit in high school can slash undergrad costs.]
3. Familiarize yourself with test material: The CLEP Spanish Language exam contains three distinct sections, two of which assess listening.
The first section, Listening: Rejoinders, accounts for 15 percent of a student's grade and involves comprehension of short conversations. The second section, Listening: Dialogues and Narratives, tests comprehension of longer verbal exchanges. It is worth 25 percent of your grade.
One great way to prepare for the two listening sections is to listen to interviews that are conducted in Spanish, such as those on radio stations.
The remaining 60 percent of your grade is reserved for the reading portion, which encompasses Part A: Discrete sentences; Part B: Short cloze passages; and Part C: Reading passages and authentic stimulus materials.
Part A contains short sentences that require students to select the missing word. Part B also requires students to fill in blanks, but these occur within the context of a paragraph. Finally, Part C consists of short texts that students might encounter in real life, such as advertisements. You must answer questions about these texts.
Students should have a firm understanding of Spanish grammar, as well as everyday vocabulary, to succeed on the reading portion. Exposure to practical Spanish, such as that used in newspapers and on websites, can help prepare students. You can also view sample questions online.
To adequately prepare for the CLEP Spanish Language exam, remember to focus on your listening and reading skills and you will be off to a great start.
Tiffany Sorensen is a tutor and contributing writer with Varsity Tutors. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish Language & Literature from Stony Brook University--SUNY and a Master of Science in translation from New York University.
