CLEP® History of the United States I Prep — Early Colonization to 1877 — Pass the Exam and Earn Transferable College Credit
CLEP® US History I:
Early Colonization
to 1877
From the Pre-Columbian Americas through Reconstruction — the most content-rich CLEP® history prep on the platform. 329 structured lessons and 18.5 hours of video content, organized chapter by chapter, with quizzes that tell you exactly when you're ready to book the exam.
From Colonization
to Reconstruction.
The full sweep of early American history — organized chronologically across 15 chapters, each with video lessons and subchapter quizzes.
Colonial America
- Indigenous cultures of the Americas before 1500
- Spanish, Portuguese, French & English colonization
- The Atlantic World and the Columbian Exchange
- The Great Awakening and Enlightenment
- Wars for empire and colonial resistance
Revolution & Founding
- Stamp Act, Townshend Acts & Boston Tea Party
- The American Revolution (1775–1783)
- Common Sense and the shift to republicanism
- The Constitutional Convention & the Federal Charter
- Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists
Early Republic & Expansion
- Federalists vs. Democratic-Republicans
- War of 1812 and national identity
- Industrial Revolution in the North
- Age of Jackson and Indian Removal
- Westward expansion and Manifest Destiny
Crisis & Reconstruction
- Antebellum South and the cotton economy
- Abolition, women's rights & reform movements
- Compromise of 1850, Dred Scott & Kansas-Nebraska
- The Civil War (1860–1865)
- Reconstruction and its aftermath
What You'll Learn
All five official CLEP® topical areas covered in structured chapters — mapped directly to the College Board exam outline.
What You'll Be Able to Do
- Identify and analyze the development of U.S. political institutions — from colonial governance to the Constitution, party politics, Jacksonian democracy, and Reconstruction legislation
- Describe major social developments including the institution of slavery, abolitionism, women's rights, reform movements, and the lived experiences of diverse communities across American history
- Explain cultural and intellectual developments: the Great Awakening, Enlightenment ideas, Transcendentalism, and how ideology shaped the nation's founding and sectional identity
- Analyze economic developments including colonial trade systems, the Industrial Revolution in the North, the cotton economy of the South, and Westward expansion economics
- Evaluate U.S. diplomacy and transnational interactions including colonial-British relations, the causes and effects of major conflicts, Manifest Destiny, and the Mexican-American War
- Compare and contrast historical phenomena — a core skill tested throughout the 120-question exam — using evidence from primary and secondary sources
What's on the Exam
How CLEP® Credit Works
Three steps from enrollment to transferable college credit — no campus visits, no 15-week semester required.
Study with TransferCredit
329 structured lessons and 18.5 hours of video content — organized chapter by chapter from Pre-Columbian America through Reconstruction. Chapter quizzes tell you exactly when you're ready.
Take the CLEP® Exam
Book at any of 2,000+ College Board test centers or take it remotely. 120 questions in 90 minutes — 70% focused on 1790–1877. Score 50+ and earn 3 college credits. Exam fee is $97.
Transfer Your Credits
Send your CLEP® score to your college and have 3 US History or social science credits applied to your degree — at a fraction of the cost of taking the course.
One Price.
Everything Unlocked.
Buy this course alone for $19 lifetime access, or unlock all 28 CLEP® subjects for $29/month. No surprise fees.
- 329 structured lessons
- 18.5 hours of video content
- Chapter quizzes per topic
- CLEP® exam outline aligned
- Lifetime access, no expiry
- All 28 CLEP® prep courses
- Chapter + subchapter structure
- Readiness quizzes per topic
- Backup ACE/NCCRS credit path
- Cancel or pause anytime
- Lifetime access to all 28 subjects
- All current & future courses
- 12-month ACE/NCCRS backup path
- Pay once, never renew
- Best long-term investment
All plans include a backup ACE/NCCRS credit path — if you don't pass the CLEP® exam, you still earn real college credit.
Questions? [email protected] · View all pricing options →
Does My College Accept CLEP® US History I?
CLEP® History of the United States I is accepted at 2,900+ U.S. colleges including Penn State, Ohio State, SNHU, Arizona State, and most community colleges. It typically satisfies a U.S. history or social science general education requirement. Search your school to see the exact passing score and credits awarded.
Students Also Prep For
Stack multiple CLEP® history and social science exams to clear gen ed requirements fast — all with one $29/month subscription.
Pass CLEP® US History I and clear your history requirement for $116 total.
$19 prep + $97 exam. 329 lessons, 18.5 hours of video. Colonial America to Reconstruction — the most content-rich history prep on the platform.
🎯 Why It Matters
- Satisfies U.S. history or social science gen ed at most colleges
- 70% of the exam covers 1790–1877 — focused, predictable material
- Most content-rich CLEP® history course: 329 lessons + 18.5 hrs video
- No essay writing — 120 multiple-choice questions only
👤 Who Takes This Exam
- College students clearing a U.S. history requirement
- Active-duty military (exam free via DANTES)
- Adult learners returning to finish degrees
- High school students earning early college credit
- Students pairing this with US History II for 6 credits
🛡️ The Backup Path
- Didn't pass? Backup ACE/NCCRS course included in every plan
- Same subject — earn the credit through coursework, no exam needed
- Accepted at 2,100+ colleges on its own
- Your $19 always results in real, transferable college credit
50,000+ Students.
Real Results.
From students clearing gen eds to military members earning free credits — here's what TransferCredit students say.
TransferCredit CLEP® US History I Prep Includes
Why Take CLEP® Exams?
Quick answers about how CLEP® US History I credit works, who qualifies, and how much you save.
Which colleges accept CLEP® US History I?
Over 2,900 accredited U.S. colleges accept CLEP® History of the United States I including Penn State, Ohio State, SNHU, ASU Online, and most community colleges. It typically satisfies a U.S. history or social science gen ed requirement. Most schools require 50 and award 3 hours.
What time period does the exam actually focus on?
Although the exam spans Early Colonization to 1877, 70% of the questions focus on 1790–1877 — the Early Republic, Age of Jackson, Westward Expansion, slavery and reform, and the Civil War through Reconstruction. The colonial and revolutionary period makes up the remaining 30%.
How much does this path save me?
The exam fee is $97. Our prep is $19. Total: $116. A traditional US History course costs $300–$1,500+ per credit hour — that's $900–$4,500 for the same 3 credits. Many students also combine this with US History II for 6 credits at double the savings.
Is CLEP® US History I free for military members?
Yes — active-duty military can take CLEP® exams completely free through the DANTES program. TransferCredit provides the prep content; DANTES covers the $97 exam fee. Zero out-of-pocket for the complete path. Military credits also stack with ACE/NCCRS backup path credits.
Everything You Need to Pass
18.5 Hours of Video
OpenStax-based video lessons covering every chapter — watch, pause, and rewatch any segment. More video content than any other CLEP® history prep on the platform.
329 Structured Lessons
Every chapter organized from Pre-Columbian through Reconstruction — learn the material in the same order it appears on the exam, building knowledge chronologically.
Chapter Quizzes
Quiz after every chapter section. Know exactly where you stand and which periods need more review before you book the $97 exam.
Backup Credit Path
Didn't pass? Your subscription includes the matching ACE/NCCRS self-paced course — earn US History credit through coursework, no exam fee needed.
Common Questions Answered.
Everything about the CLEP® US History I exam, our prep course, and how to earn credit without taking the class.
What does the CLEP® History of the United States I exam cover?
What are the main topic areas on the CLEP® US History I exam?
How much content is in the TransferCredit US History I prep?
How long does it take to prep for CLEP® US History I?
What happens if I don't pass the CLEP® exam?
Can I take both US History I and II with one subscription?
How does CLEP® US History I compare to taking the class at college?
What's the difference between the $19 course and the $29/month plan?
Still have questions? Our team responds within hours — not days.
Email [email protected] →We're Here When You Need Us
Find Your College
Search 280+ school pages to see exactly which CLEP® exams they accept, passing scores required, and credits awarded.
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Quick answers about credits, course selection, CLEP® policies, and transfer questions — over WhatsApp.
Email the Team
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All Pricing Options
Monthly, semester, and lifetime plans. Find the best fit for your degree plan and budget.
Clear your US history requirement
for $116 total.
$19 prep + $97 exam. 329 lessons, 18.5 hours of video. 3 college credits accepted at 2,900+ schools. No campus, no 15-week semester, no $900 history class.