The CLEP College Composition Modular exam assesses writing skills taught in most first-year college composition courses. Those skills include analysis, argumentation, synthesis, usage, ability to recognize logical development and research.
The exam contains approximately 90 multiple-choice questions to be answered in approximately 95 minutes. It is designed for colleges that want a valid, reliable multiple-choice assessment, and most colleges award credit based on the College Composition Modular exam alone. If a college requires a direct writing assessment, the exam can be supplemented with a direct writing assessment developed and scored by the college.
The College Composition Modular exam measures test takers' knowledge of the fundamental principles of rhetoric and composition and their ability to apply the principles of Standard Written English. In addition, the exam requires familiarity with research and reference skills. The format and timing of the exam allow a more extended indirect assessment of test-takers’ knowledge and skills.
The skills assessed in the College Composition Modular exam follow. The numbers after the main topics indicate the approximate percentages of exam questions on those topics. The bulleted lists under each topic are meant to be representative rather than prescriptive.
Conventions of Standard Written English (10%)
This section measures test takers' awareness of a variety of logical, structural, and grammatical relationships within sentences. The questions test recognition of acceptable usage relating to the items below:
• Syntax (parallelism, coordination, subordination)
• Sentence boundaries (comma splice, run-ons, sentence fragments)
• Recognition of correct sentences
• Concord/agreement (pronoun reference, case shift, and number; subject-verb; verb tense)
• Diction
• Modifiers
• Idiom
• Active/passive voice
• Lack of subject in modifying word group
• Logical comparison
• Logical agreement
• Punctuation
Revision Skills (40%)
This section measures test takers' revision skills in the context of works in progress (early drafts of essays):
• Organization
• Evaluation of evidence
• Awareness of audience, tone, and purpose
• Level of detail
• Coherence between sentences and paragraphs
• Sentence variety and structure
• Main idea, thesis statements, and topic sentences
• Rhetorical effects and emphasis
• Use of language
• Evaluation of author's authority and appeal
• Evaluation of reasoning
• Consistency of point of view
• Transitions
• Sentence-level errors primarily relating to the conventions of standard written English
Ability to Use Source Materials (25%)
This section measures test takers' familiarity with elements of the following basic reference and research skills, which are tested primarily in sets but may also be tested through stand-alone questions. In the passage-based sets, the elements listed under Revision Skills and Rhetorical Analysis may also be tested. In addition, this section will cover the following skills:
• Use of reference materials
• Evaluation of sources
• Integration of resource material
• Documentation of sources (including, but not limited to, MLA, APA, and Chicago manuals of style)
Rhetorical Analysis (25%)
This section measures test takers' ability to analyze writing. This skill is tested primarily in passage-based questions pertaining to critical thinking, style, purpose, audience, and situation:
• Appeals
• Tone
• Organization/structure
• Rhetorical effects
• Use of language
• Evaluation of evidence