CLEP exam intel
CLEP English Literature covers British literature from the medieval period to the 20th century. Know the periods, the major authors of each, and how to read a passage for author, era, or device.
Pass score
50
Common CLEP credit-granting benchmark
Readiness
70-80%
Practice range before testing
Format
4 choice
Exam-native multiple choice
Step 1
Unit 1: Medieval and Renaissance (to 1660)
Chaucer, Shakespeare, and the Renaissance poets are a dense, high-yield block.
Step 2
Unit 3: Romantic Period (1798-1837)
Wordsworth, Coleridge, Keats, Shelley, and Byron recur heavily.
Step 3
Unit 4: Victorian Period (1837-1901)
Dickens, the Brontës, and Tennyson are frequently tested.
Step 4
Unit 5: 20th Century and Beyond
Modernists (Joyce, Woolf, Eliot) close the survey.
Step 5
Unit 2: Restoration and 18th Century (1660-1798)
Milton, the metaphysical poets, and the Enlightenment writers connect the eras.
How much Shakespeare is on it?
A meaningful amount. Know his major plays, sonnets, and common themes/devices.
What should I focus on?
The Renaissance (Shakespeare) and the Romantic period — together they are a large share of the points.
Use this guide to orient yourself, then check your readiness against the actual course instead of guessing.