If you need help studying for the CLEP Human Growth and Development exam or just want some more information about what the exam is like, you’ve come to the right place!
Click below to take a free CLEP Human Growth and Development practice test!
What is a CLEP Test?
A CLEP exam helps you test out of certain intro courses in college. When you pass a CLEP exam, it proves that you know enough about that topic to move on to a more advanced course, which can save you a lot of time toward your degree!
Taking the CLEP Human Growth and Development exam can allow you to bypass certain intro courses in human development/psychology.
What’s on the Exam?
First, let’s talk about the questions on the exam. There are 90 multiple-choice questions total, but some of the questions will NOT count toward your score. Why is that?
The unscored questions on the CLEP exam are there to determine if they’re good enough questions to add to future versions of the test.
The trick is that you won’t have any way of knowing which questions are scored and which ones aren’t—they will all appear like scored questions throughout the test.
The time limit for the test is 90 minutes (1.5 hours). There aren’t any scheduled breaks, but you’re free to take restroom breaks as needed!
Let’s take a closer look at the different sections of the Human Growth and Development test:
Theoretical Perspectives
10% of the exam
- Social cognitive
- Sociocultural
- Ecological
- Cognitive developmental
- Evolutionary
- Psychodynamic
- Biological
- Learning
Research Strategies and Methodology
6% of the exam
- Correlational
- Case study
- Experimental
- Longitudinal
- Observational
- Cross-sectional
- Cross-sequential
Biological Development Throughout the Life Span
12% of the exam
- Genetic disorders
- Prenatal influences
- Sexual maturation
- Influences of drugs
- Motor development
- Heredity, genetics, and genetic testing
- Hormonal influences
- Nutritional influences
- Development of the brain and nervous system
- Perinatal influences
- Physical growth and maturation
- Teratogens
Perceptual Development Throughout the Life Span
6% of the exam
- Sensory acuity
- Sensitive periods
- Sensorimotor activities
- Habituation
- Sensory deprivation
Cognitive Development Throughout the Life Span
12% of the exam
- Jean Piaget’s cognitive development theory
- Play
- Attention
- Wisdom
- Environmental influences
- Executive function
- Expertise
- Thinking
- Lev Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory
- Information processing
- Memory
- Problem-solving and planning
Language Development
8% of the exam
- Bilingualism
- Language and thought
- Pragmatics
- Development of syntax
- Environmental, genetic, and cultural influences
- Sound and vocalization
- Semantic development
Intelligence Throughout the Life Span
6% of the exam
- Intelligence tests
- Reaction range
- Concepts of intelligence and creativity
- Developmental stability and change
- Giftedness
- Heredity and environment
Social Development Throughout the Life Span
12% of the exam
- Aggression
- Risk and resilience
- Self
- Attachment
- Gender
- Prosocial behavior
- Social cognition
- Social learning and modeling
- Wellness
- Interpersonal relationships
- Moral development
Family, Home, and Society Throughout the Life Span
8% of the exam
- Neglect and abuse
- Family relationships
- Family structures
- Urie Bronfenbrenner
- Death
- Technology and media
- Multicultural perspectives
- Social and class influences
- Parenting styles
Personality and Emotion
8% of the exam
- Emotional expression and regulation
- Emotional intelligence
- Stability and change
- Sigmund Freud
- Temperament
- Erik Erikson
- Attribution styles
- Development of emotions
- Psychosocial theory
Schooling, Work, and Interventions
6% of the exam
- Applications of developmental principles
- Learning styles
- Occupational development
- Operant conditioning
- Preschool care
- Facilitation of role transitions
- Intervention programs and services
- Day care
- Elder care
- Retirement
Developmental Psychopathology
6% of the exam
- Antisocial behavior
- Learning disabilities
- Intellectual disability
- Anxiety and mood disorders
- Chronic illnesses and physical disabilities
- Cognitive disorders, including dementia
- Trauma-based syndromes
- Asocial behavior, fears, phobias, and obsessions
- Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder
- Autism spectrum disorders
How to Register
To register for the test, you’ll need to create an account on the College Board’s website. From there, you can sign into the My CLEP student portal and register for the exam.
When you register, you’ll need to pay the $95 testing fee. You’ll also have the option to send your final score to two institutions for free.
CLEP Scores
The CLEP Human Growth and Development exam is scored using a scaled scoring method. Here’s how it works:
For every question you answer correctly, you get one point added to your raw score. At the end of the test, your final raw score will be converted to a scaled score. This scaled score will range somewhere between 20 and 80.
The American Council of Education recommends aiming for a final score of at least 50.
The reason your raw score is converted to a scaled score is because everyone that takes the test is given a slightly different set of questions. Since everyone has a different arrangement of questions, and because some questions are harder than others, converting your raw score to a scaled score ensures a more even playing field.
FAQs
What is CLEP?
CLEP stands for College-Level Examination Program®. This program was set up by the College Board to help students earn college credits without taking college courses.
Are CLEP exams hard?
It depends on which one you take! Some CLEP exams are harder than others due to the material being covered. For example, the Chemistry and Western Civilization II tests are considered to be the hardest, while the Spanish Language and College Composition tests are thought to be the easiest.
How many questions are on the CLEP Human Growth and Development exam?
The exam contains 90 questions.
What is the time limit for the CLEP Human Growth and Development exam?
The exam is timed at 90 minutes.
What is the passing score for the CLEP Human Growth and Development exam?
It’s recommended that you get a final score of at least 50.
How much does the CLEP Human Growth and Development exam cost?
The testing fee is $95.