The CLEP Introductory Sociology examination is designed to assess an individual's knowledge of the material typically presented in a one-semester introductory sociology course at most colleges and universities. The examination emphasizes basic facts and concepts as well as general theoretical approaches used by sociologists. Highly specialized knowledge of the subject and the methodology of the discipline is not required or measured by the test content.Many nursing and teacher certification programs allow candidates to fulfill prerequisites by submitting scores from the CLEP Introductory Sociology exam. The examination is administered on computer, and contains approximately 100 questions to be answered in 90 minutes. A paper-and-pencil version of this examination is also available.
Questions on the CLEP Introductory Sociology examination require candidates to demonstrate one or more of the following abilities. Some questions may require more than one of these abilities:Identification of specific names, facts, and concepts from sociological literature;Understanding of relationships between concepts, empirical generalizations, and theoreticalpropositions of sociology;Understanding of the methods by which sociological relationships are established;Application of concepts, propositions, and methods to hypothetical situations;Interpretation of tables and charts;The subject matter of the CLEP Introductory Sociology examination is drawn from the following topics. The percentages next to the main topics indicate the approximate percentage of exam questions on that topic.20% Institutions:Economic, Educational, Family, Medical, Political, Religious15% Social patterns:Community, Demography, Human ecology, Rural/urban patterns.20% Social processes:Collective behavior and social movements, Culture, Deviance and social control, Groups and organizations, Social change, Social interaction, Socialization.30% Social Stratification (Process and Structure):Aging, Power and social inequality, Professions and occupations, Race and ethnic relations, Sex and gender roles, Social class, Social mobility.15% The sociological perspective:History of sociology, Methods, Sociological theory.