CLEP Master Booklist and
Study Guide Reference
Below you will find a concise list of recommended textbooks to take the most popular credit-by-examination tests:  CLEP, DSST Dantes, ECE Excelsior College, and TECEP Thomas Edison Exams*.

This is the best way to prepare for these exams.  Each of the tests have what's called a 'content outline' or 'content overview' which details exactly what topics will be covered on the exams.  They also provide list of recommended textbooks to help prepare for the exams (except for the CLEP, for unknown reasons).
Every attempt was made to find the least amount of books that would adequately cover enough content to pass the exams (ACE minimum score).  Links to the respective content guide for each tests will also be found below.  If there is an appropriate InstantCert or iStudySmart study guide for that exam, it will be linked there as well.

Always compare the content of the textbook/study guide to the exam outline/overview for the exam.  With the exception of the CLEP, the exam outlines for each test can be downloaded free from the test developer's respective websites.  CLEP's exam outlines must be purchased (see Official CLEP study guide below).


This list is offered strictly on a 'not held' basis.  Read the disclaimer for more information.
CLEP - College Level Examination Program*
Multi-CLEP books
Official CLEP Study Guide 16th Ed., College Board
Contains content guides for all 35 clep exams.  Sample questions closely mirror what is on the actual exams.  Single, most important CLEP reference.
Cracking the Clep, Tom Meltzer (Princton Review)
A few people have passed along that this was a good reference for the general clep exams.
A Handbook To Literature 9th; Harmon, William;  Holman, Hugh
This and the other book above should be enough to get you started.
The Awakening, 2nd; Chopin, Kate
Additional text that may be helpful.
The Scarlet Letter; Hawthorne, Nathaniel
Additional text that may be helpful.
Book Title
Comments
Get Book / Study Guide
Think accurate, concise sentences that still get your point across.  If you've made it this far into your studies, you should be able to write a 5+ paragraph essay w/intro (thesis), body, conclusion.
English Composition
College Writing Skills 5th; by Langan, John
Literature for Composition: Essay, Fiction, Poetry, and Drama 6th; Barnet, Sylvan; Burto, William; Cain, William; Stubbs, Marcia
iStudySmart has a guide for English Comp, but unnecessary unless you really aren't good at grammar, sentence structure, or writing an essay.
English Literature
The Norton Anthology of English Literature The Major Authors 7th; Abrams, M. H.; Greenblatt, Stephen
May be overwhelming like American Literature for those that don't like to read.  iStudySmart's guide may help in combing though all the readings.
Freshman College Composition
(none available)
I personally wouldn't see why you'd take this. Use English Comp's recommended book.
Appx. 140 questions to answer in 90 minutes.  You only have about 40 seconds MAX per question.  A LOT of recall of persons, places and recognition of artifacts, paintings, art styles and certain speeches.  I would try the InstantCert guide first to give you a feel of what might be covered on the exam.
Humanities
Humanities in Western Culture: A Search for Human Values Volume 1 10th;  Lamm, Robert Carson
Humanities in Western Culture: A Search for Human Values Volume 2 10th;  Lamm, Robert Carson
Foreign Languages
Analyzing and Interpreting Literature
Compact Bedford Introduction to Literature: Reading, Thinking, Writing 6th;  Meyer, Michael
If you can read and be able to understand the message the author is trying to convey, you should be able to pass this exam.
French Language
(none)
Rea's best test prep for French or a home study course may be your best bet.  Otherwise, unless you already are fluent, you may be stuck on this one.
Spanish Language
REA's best test preparation for the Spanish clep w/ CD; REA
This book includes a CD. On this test remember that there is a listening part of the exam, too. A home study course may be the only other alternative.
History and Social Sciences
Human Growth and Development
Human Development, 9th; Papalia, Diane; Olds, Sally Wendkos; Feldman, Ruth Duskin
Compliments Lifespan Developmental Psychology well.  Instantcert's guide is enough to get in the 60s or higher.
Introduction to Educational Psychology
Psychology for Teaching, 10th; Lefrancois, Guy
Compliments Intro to Psychology VERY well.  Both can be taken the same day with high 60's-70 on each using the InstantCert study guides alone.
Introductory Psychology
Psychology 6th; Gleitman, Henry; Fridlun, Alan; Reisberg, Daniel
Fairly simple if you can remember the basics of psychological theories.  Awesome InstantCert guide.
Introductory Sociology
Sociology: A Brief Introduction
  6th; Thio, Alex
Several people have said that the InstantCert guide is not as great as most of their other guides, so the textbook may be a good supplement.  I had no problems cutting a 67 on it.
Principles of Macroeconomics
Macroeconomics: Principles, Problems, and Policies 15th; McConnell, Campbell; Brue, Stanley
Go through the InstantCert guide carefully until you understand all the concepts thoroughly.  Only then should you take the exam.  An iStudySmart guide and/or the recommended book is advised if you still feel weak in this area.
Principles of Microeconomics
Microeconomics: Principles, Problems, and Policies 15th;  McConnell, Campbell; Brue, Stanley
Fairly simple if you can remember the basics of psychological theories.  Awesome InstantCert guide.
U.S. History I:  Early Colonizations to 1877 
America: A Narrative History Volume 1  6th; Tindall, George Brown / Shi, David E.
Never had to take this one or II, because I successfully tested out of Social Sciences/History general clep and got all the history credits I needed.  As with all history-related exams, be able to identify events in chronological order.
U.S. History II:  1865 to the Present
America: A Narrative History Volume 2  6th; Tindall, George Brown / Shi, David E.
Never had to take this one or II, because I successfully tested out of Social Sciences/History general clep and got all the history credits I needed.  As with all history-related exams, be able to identify events in chronological order.
Western Civilization I:  Ancient Near East to 1648
A History of Western Society: From Antiquity to the Enlightenment, Volume 1
  7th; Mckay, John P.; Hill, Bennett D.; Bucker, John
Thank God I didn't have to take either one of these for my Bachelors or Associates.  In case you cannot tell, I hate history-related courses.  Boring!
Western Civilization I:  Ancient Near East to 1648
A History of Western Society: From Absolutism to the Present, Volume 2, 7th; Mckay, John P.; Hill, Bennett D.; Bucker, John
Ditto...
Science and Mathematics
German Language
(none)
Rea's best test prep for German or a home study course may be your best bet.  Otherwise, unless you already are fluent, you may be stuck on this one.
This list is offered strictly on a 'not held' basis.  Read the disclaimer for more information.

Do you think you have a better reference for the exams?  Leave feedback. 
Additional tips for using the textbooks:

- Always attempt to get the newest edition.  It's easier to get rid of a newer edition of a book than an older edition.  It once you've finished studying and have passed the exam, you can easily sell it on Amazon.com or whereever.

- Try to get a 'used' copy of the book.  Lots of college students, private sellers, and book collectors re-sell their books on Amazon.com's marketplace.  You can usually get a book in an acceptable condition or better for up to 80% of the cover price. 
* CLEP (College Board), DSST (Dantes), ECE (Excelsior College), TECEP (Thomas Edison) are trademarks of their respective owners and do not endorse this website.
College Algebra w or w/o Trig
College Algebra with Smart CD; Raymond A. Barnett, Michael R. Ziegler, Karl E Byleen,
Use either these or the DSST college algebra recommended books.  If you are weak in math, iStudySmart may be the more appropriate guide.

REA's college algebra books got good reviews, although a few grammatical errors were reported.

Kim Peppard's Algebra guide looks like a great reference, and it's free (for now).
Calculus
(none)
Send feedback with your experiences with Calculus, particularly if you've taken the Calculus clep. I myself am curious as to which textbook would be best for this exam.
Trigonometry
(none)
See CLEP College Algebra recommended books above.  Just focus more on the Trigonometry related material.
American Government
(none)
Fairly easy to pass, especially if you're an American citizen.  Tough to get a high score on.  InstantCert has a great study guide for this one.
College Mathematics
(none)
The simpliest of the math CLEPS, similar to the Business Math DSST.  Use the college algebra texts or better yet, use the InstantCert guide.
Not all that difficult. Would suggest using study material for History of the US I and I, the Intro Psychology/Sociology tests, and Macroeconomics, hitting many birds with fewer stones.
Social Sciences and History
The Western Experience 7th; Chambers, Mortimer
Systems of Society: An Introduction to Social Sciences 7th; Mendoza, Manuel G. / Napoli, Vince
Only 6th edition available from Amazon.com.  It's a lot easier to just study the individual instantcert guides and then cop the extra 6 credits for this exam on the way; the content covered is identical.
Could also just use the book from the biology clep.  50% of the Nat. Sci. clep covers biology, and some instantcert users have used the biology guide to pass the Nat. Sci. clep.  Not a hard test at all; basic, high school science stuff.
Natural Sciences
Concepts in Biology 10th; Enger, Eldon D.; Ross, Frederick C
Physical Universe with CD rom; Krauskopf-Beiser
see above.
Biology
Biology 6th; Raven, Peter; Johnson, George
Very comprehensive clep.  If the InstantCert.com doesn't have enough material for you to study, use the recommended book or iStudySmart.
Chemistry
Chemistry Problem Solver; (Rea's Problem Solvers)
Also see Physical Science DSST recommended Textbooks for the chemistry portion. They may help on this test.
Business
Principles of Management
Management: Skills and Application 11th; Rue, Leslie; Byars, Lloyd
Very basic test in nature. People have scored in the 70s easily with InstantCert's guide.
Information Systems and Computer Applications
Computers: Information Technology in Perspective 12th;  Long, Larry; Long, Nancy
InstantCert guide should cover everything you need to know as well. Study for both this and the DSST Mgmt Info Sys and take'em the same day.
Principles of Accounting
Financial & Managerial Accounting  12th; Williams, Jan; Haka, Susan; Bettner, Mark; Meigs, Robert
InstantCert guide covers the material fairly well.  This test goes by quickly!  Do NOT cram for this one;  make sure you understand all the accounting principles before you walk into that test room.
Introductory Business Law
Law For Business 8th; Barnes, A. James; Dworkin, Terry Morehead; Richards, Eric L.
You're probably beginning to tell at this point that instantcert is the way to go. You can cut in the Mid 60s and up if you study enough.
Principles of Marketing
Marketing 7th;  Kerin, Roger Berkowitz, Eric Hartley, Steven Rudelius, William
Again, fairly basic marketing concepts.  You may begin to realize that some of these tests duplicate material between each other.  Would take this and Intro to Business DSST on the same day, if possible.
ECE Excelsior College Study Guides / Recommended Textbooks > >
TECEP Thomas Edison Study Guides > >
Back to the 'Degree Plans' homepage to learn about how to earn a regionally accredited AA/BA degree via distance learning in under 1 year > >
Due to space considerations, the DSST, ECE, and TECEP booklists have been placed on seperate pages, linked below....
Clep: College Algebra (REA Test Preps); REA
Algebra & Trigonometry Super Review; REA
**Coming Soon:
Composition and Literature
American Literature
The Norton Anthology of American Literature, short 6th; Baym, Nina
A lot of material to cover for one exam. Consider an alternative exam to "test out" of, if possible. iStudySmart has a guide available.
Book Title
Comments
Get Book / Study Guide
Study for the exams:
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