$5one-time
- 37-page printable PDF
- 180 terms with examples
- 42 practice questions, answers explained
- 2-page cram sheet and study plans
← CLEP U.S. History II course
CLEP® Study Guide
Printable PDF · 37 pages
CLEP U.S. History II Study Guide
Official exam name: History of the United States II: 1865 to the Present
Everything the CLEP U.S. History II exam tests, in one PDF you can print. Built from the College Board's official outline, heaviest topics first.
- 180 key terms, each with an example
- 42 practice questions with every answer explained
- A 2-page cram sheet for the night before
- 2-, 4- and 8-week study plans built from the exam weights
Last updated 2026 · exam details checked against the College Board's published exam information in 2026
Look inside the guide
Real pages from the 37-page PDF.
What you get for $5
One chapter for each official content area, in the order the exam weighs them.
- 📘37pages, printable
- 🧭5chapters, heaviest first
- 🔑180terms with examples
- ✍️42practice questions, answers explained
- ⚠️15exam traps to avoid
- 📄2page cram sheet
Try 10 free U.S. History II questions
In the style of the real exam, from all 5 areas. About 10 minutes, with every answer explained and a score by area.
10 questions
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Question 1 · Political institutions and public policy
In 1865 a Southern state passed a law requiring freedpeople to sign yearly labor contracts and arrested those who left their jobs as vagrants. Laws of this kind are known as
Show the answer
Answer: E. Black Codes. Black Codes were 1865–1866 state laws that used vagrancy rules and labor contracts to keep freedpeople working for white landowners, and they angered Northern Republicans.
The trap: Jim Crow statutes were the later system of segregation laws that grew in the 1890s, not the 1865 labor controls.
Black Codes were 1865–1866 state laws that used vagrancy rules and labor contracts to keep freedpeople working for white landowners, and they angered Northern Republicans.
The trap: Jim Crow statutes were the later system of segregation laws that grew in the 1890s, not the 1865 labor controls.
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Question 2 · Social developments
A Black family leaves a Mississippi cotton farm in 1917 for a job in a Chicago meatpacking plant. Their move was part of which development?
Show the answer
Answer: D. The Great Migration out of the rural South. Wartime factory jobs and the wish to escape Jim Crow pulled about six million Black Southerners to Northern, Midwestern and Western cities between 1916 and 1970.
The trap: The Sunbelt migration of the 1970s moved people toward the South, the opposite direction from this family's move.
Wartime factory jobs and the wish to escape Jim Crow pulled about six million Black Southerners to Northern, Midwestern and Western cities between 1916 and 1970.
The trap: The Sunbelt migration of the 1970s moved people toward the South, the opposite direction from this family's move.
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Question 3 · Cultural and intellectual developments
A 1925 trial in Dayton, Tennessee, in which a high school teacher was prosecuted for teaching evolution, is best understood as
Show the answer
Answer: B. a clash between religious fundamentalism and modern science. The Scopes Trial showed the conflict between fundamentalists, who defended a literal reading of the Bible, and defenders of teaching modern science.
The trap: Social Darwinism concerned competition in society and business, not the teaching of evolution in schools.
The Scopes Trial showed the conflict between fundamentalists, who defended a literal reading of the Bible, and defenders of teaching modern science.
The trap: Social Darwinism concerned competition in society and business, not the teaching of evolution in schools.
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Question 4 · Economic developments
A steel company buys iron ore mines, coal fields, railroads and a shipping line so it controls every step from raw material to finished product. This strategy is called
Show the answer
Answer: A. vertical integration. Owning each stage of production, from supply to sales, is vertical integration. It cuts costs and cuts out middlemen.
The trap: Horizontal integration is tempting, but it means buying competing firms in the same business, not owning suppliers and transport.
Owning each stage of production, from supply to sales, is vertical integration. It cuts costs and cuts out middlemen.
The trap: Horizontal integration is tempting, but it means buying competing firms in the same business, not owning suppliers and transport.
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Question 5 · Diplomacy and international relations
In 1899 the secretary of state sends notes to Britain, Russia, Japan and other powers asking that every nation be allowed equal trade in China. This initiative is known as the
Show the answer
Answer: C. Open Door Policy. The Open Door notes protected American trade access in China without requiring the U.S. to claim territory there.
The trap: The Roosevelt Corollary is tempting because it concerns U.S. power abroad, but it was about Latin America and came in 1904.
The Open Door notes protected American trade access in China without requiring the U.S. to claim territory there.
The trap: The Roosevelt Corollary is tempting because it concerns U.S. power abroad, but it was about Latin America and came in 1904.
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Question 6 · Political institutions and public policy
"No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law." This passage was added to the Constitution mainly to
Show the answer
Answer: E. protect the rights of freedpeople from state governments. The passage is from the Fourteenth Amendment (1868), written to make freedpeople citizens and to stop states from denying them rights.
The trap: The income tax and direct election of senators came with the amendments of 1913, which are separate from this passage.
The passage is from the Fourteenth Amendment (1868), written to make freedpeople citizens and to stop states from denying them rights.
The trap: The income tax and direct election of senators came with the amendments of 1913, which are separate from this passage.
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Question 7 · Social developments
A leaflet circulated in a city in the 1910s warns: "These newcomers speak foreign tongues and keep foreign customs, and they will work for wages no native-born American can live on. Close the gates." The writer's view is best described as
Show the answer
Answer: B. nativism. The leaflet blames immigrants for threatening jobs and culture and calls for restriction. That is nativism, which grew strongest between the 1880s and the 1920s.
The trap: Assimilationism is tempting because it concerns immigrants, but it urges newcomers to adopt American ways rather than demanding that they be shut out.
The leaflet blames immigrants for threatening jobs and culture and calls for restriction. That is nativism, which grew strongest between the 1880s and the 1920s.
The trap: Assimilationism is tempting because it concerns immigrants, but it urges newcomers to adopt American ways rather than demanding that they be shut out.
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Question 8 · Cultural and intellectual developments
A late-1800s writer argues that the rich are the fittest members of society and that government must not interfere with natural competition. This writer would most likely oppose
Show the answer
Answer: D. government programs to relieve poverty. The writer's view is Social Darwinism, which treated wealth as a sign of fitness and opposed government aid to the poor and economic regulation.
The trap: Competition among businesses is something Social Darwinists supported, so this writer would not oppose it.
The writer's view is Social Darwinism, which treated wealth as a sign of fitness and opposed government aid to the poor and economic regulation.
The trap: Competition among businesses is something Social Darwinists supported, so this writer would not oppose it.
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Question 9 · Economic developments
A farmers' meeting in the 1890s declares: "We borrowed when crop prices were high and must repay now that they have fallen. Let the government coin silver freely so that money is plentiful and debts can be paid." Which policy are the farmers demanding?
Show the answer
Answer: C. Free and unlimited silver coinage. Free coinage of silver would increase the money supply and raise prices, which would help debtors. Many farmers backed it in the 1890s.
The trap: The gold standard is the opposite of what the farmers want, because it limited the money supply and kept prices falling.
Free coinage of silver would increase the money supply and raise prices, which would help debtors. Many farmers backed it in the 1890s.
The trap: The gold standard is the opposite of what the farmers want, because it limited the money supply and kept prices falling.
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Question 10 · Diplomacy and international relations
A president tells Congress that if a nation in the Western Hemisphere cannot keep order or pay its debts, the United States may step in so that European powers will not. This policy is the
Show the answer
Answer: A. Roosevelt Corollary. The Roosevelt Corollary extended the Monroe Doctrine by claiming a U.S. right to act as a police power in Latin America.
The trap: The Truman Doctrine also promised U.S. intervention, but it aimed to stop the spread of communism in Europe after 1947.
The Roosevelt Corollary extended the Monroe Doctrine by claiming a U.S. right to act as a police power in Latin America.
The trap: The Truman Doctrine also promised U.S. intervention, but it aimed to stop the spread of communism in Europe after 1947.
The CLEP U.S. History II exam at a glance
The CLEP History of the United States II: 1865 to the Present exam is a 90-minute, computer-based test from the College Board with about 120 multiple-choice questions. A score of 50 on the 20–80 scale earns an ACE credit recommendation of 3 semester hours, though each college sets its own policy. The exam covers 5 content areas; the heaviest is Political institutions and public policy at 30%.
- Questions
- About 120multiple choice
- Time
- 90 minabout 45 seconds a question
- Passing score
- 50on a 20–80 scale
- ACE credit
- 3semester hours
- Exam fee
- $97paid to College Board
- Calculator
- Nonot allowed
Source: official CLEP History of the United States II: 1865 to the Present exam page.
What the exam covers
5 areas, heaviest first. The guide's chapters follow this order.
- Political institutions and public policy30%
- Social developments30%
- Cultural and intellectual developments20%
- Economic developments10%
- Diplomacy and international relations10%
How it works
- 1Buy once, $5Secure checkout. No subscription needed.
- 2Download the PDFFrom your TransferCredit.org account, right away and any time later.
- 3Study the heaviest areas firstFollow the 2-, 4- or 8-week plan, then read the cram sheet the night before.
Questions students ask
What's in the full CLEP U.S. History II study guide?
37 pages: 5 chapters, one per official content area, heaviest first. 180 terms, each with a plain-English definition and an example, 25 key people, common traps and memory tricks, 42 practice questions with an answer key that explains every answer, question tactics, 2-, 4- and 8-week study plans and a 2-page cram sheet.
How much is the full CLEP U.S. History II study guide?
The full 37-page PDF is $5, a one-time payment. The 10 practice questions on this page are free, with no account.
What does the $29 plan include?
$29 a month gives you all 28 CLEP subjects: every CLEP study guide plus the full prep course for each subject, and you can cancel anytime. If you only need this exam, the guide on its own is a one-time $5.
How do I get the full guide?
Choose Buy this guide ($5) and check out. Then sign in to your TransferCredit.org account, then open the course and its Download Your Study Guide lesson. The PDF is yours to keep, and you can download it again from your account at any time.
Can I print the guide or use it on my phone?
Yes. It's a PDF, so it opens on phones, tablets and computers, and printing is allowed. Its tick boxes and answer bubbles work in PDF readers that support forms. Copying and editing are turned off.
Is this an official CLEP study guide?
No. CLEP® is a registered trademark of the College Board, which was not involved in producing this guide and does not endorse it. TransferCredit.org is independent. We built the guide from the official exam outline, and the exam details were checked against the College Board's published exam information in 2026.
Why is this study guide better than a generic review?
It follows the official outline area by area and spends the most pages on what the exam weighs most. Every term comes with an example, each chapter names the traps the exam sets, and the answer key explains why the most tempting wrong answer is wrong, not just which answer is right. It ends with a 2-page cram sheet for the night before.
What is the CLEP U.S. History II exam?
The CLEP History of the United States II: 1865 to the Present exam is a 90-minute, computer-based test from the College Board with about 120 multiple-choice questions. A score of 50 on the 20–80 scale earns an ACE credit recommendation of 3 semester hours, though each college sets its own policy. The exam covers 5 content areas; the heaviest is Political institutions and public policy at 30%.
More questions about the CLEP U.S. History II exam (22)
How many questions are on the CLEP U.S. History II exam, and how long is it?
It has approximately 120 questions to be answered in 90 minutes. Some questions are pretest questions that will not be scored.
What is the passing score for CLEP U.S. History II?
The passing score is 50 on a 20–80 scale. At 50 or above, the American Council on Education (ACE) recommends 3 semester hours. Each college sets its own passing score and credit award, so check your school's policy before you book.
How much does the CLEP U.S. History II exam cost?
The exam fee is $97, paid to the College Board. Test centers may add their own administration fee. Eligible U.S. military service members can usually test for free through DANTES.
How many college credits is CLEP U.S. History II worth?
ACE recommends 3 semester hours for a passing score of 50. Your college decides how many credits it awards and which course they replace. Check your college's policy.
Is there a penalty for guessing on CLEP U.S. History II?
No. Your score counts only correct answers, so a wrong answer costs nothing. Never leave a question blank: rule out what you can and pick your best guess.
What topics are on the CLEP U.S. History II exam?
5 content areas, from the official outline: Political institutions and public policy (30%); Social developments (30%); Cultural and intellectual developments (20%); Economic developments (10%); Diplomacy and international relations (10%).
Which CLEP U.S. History II topics should I study first?
Start with the three heaviest: Political institutions and public policy (30%), Social developments (30%) and Cultural and intellectual developments (20%). Together they are about 80% of the exam, roughly 96 of 120 questions. The guide's chapters run in that order, heaviest first.
Is the CLEP U.S. History II exam hard?
It depends on what you already know. A few big areas decide most of your score: Political institutions and public policy alone is 30% of the exam, while Diplomacy and international relations is 10%. Take the free diagnostic above to see where you stand in about 10 minutes.
What kinds of questions are on the CLEP U.S. History II exam?
The guide sorts them into 4 types: “Identify and describe”, “Analyze and interpret: documents”, “Compare and contrast” and “Chronology”. Every question has 5 answer choices. Try the 10 free questions above to see the style.
How long should I study for CLEP U.S. History II?
Use the diagnostic to decide. If you already know most areas, two weeks of daily review is often enough; if the subject is new to you, plan on eight. The full guide has 2-, 4- and 8-week plans built from the exam weights.
How should I pace myself on the CLEP U.S. History II exam?
On average you have about 45 seconds per question (90 minutes for 120 questions). Be past question 40 a third of the way through and past question 80 two-thirds through. If a question takes more than a minute, pick your best guess, mark it and come back.
What happens if I don't pass CLEP U.S. History II?
You can retake a CLEP exam after three months. Use the wait to work through the areas the score report and the diagnostic show you missed.
Do colleges accept CLEP U.S. History II for credit?
CLEP exams are accepted at more than 2,900 U.S. colleges and universities, but each school decides which exams it accepts, the score it requires and the credit it gives. Look up your college's CLEP policy before you book.
How is the guide different from the CLEP U.S. History II course?
The guide is a 37-page PDF for review and self-testing. The CLEP U.S. History II course is a full online course with lessons, quizzes and a practice exam, for $19 with lifetime access. Many students use the guide first, then take the course for the areas the diagnostic flags.
How up to date is this CLEP U.S. History II guide?
Last updated 2026. The exam details were checked against the College Board's published exam information in 2026. Exams change, so confirm the details on the official exam page before you register.
What should I do the night before the exam?
Read the cram sheet once, slowly. Check your test time, the location or remote-proctoring setup, and the ID you need. Then sleep: a rested brain recalls more than a crammed one. In the morning, skim the memory tricks and common traps, then stop studying.
What time period does CLEP History of the United States II cover?
From the end of the Civil War in 1865 to the present, with most questions on the period after 1915.
Which Supreme Court cases should I know for CLEP U.S. History II?
The outline lists constitutional amendments and major Supreme Court cases. Key cases include Plessy v. Ferguson (1896, "separate but equal"), Brown v. Board of Education (1954, school segregation), Miranda v. Arizona (1966, suspects' rights) and Roe v. Wade (1973, overturned in 2022), along with amendments such as the 16th (income tax), 19th (women's suffrage) and 26th (voting age of 18).
Do CLEP U.S. History I and II overlap?
Slightly. History I runs to the end of Reconstruction in 1877 and History II starts in 1865, so both can touch Reconstruction. History II looks at its impact on the South, and about 70% of its questions fall after 1915.
Do I need to take CLEP U.S. History I before U.S. History II?
No. They are independent exams and can be taken in either order. History I covers colonization to 1877 and History II covers 1865 to the present.
Does CLEP U.S. History II include recent history?
Yes. The exam runs to the present, and about 70% of questions fall after 1915, so the Cold War, civil rights and late twentieth-century politics matter as much as the Gilded Age.
Does CLEP U.S. History II have essays?
No. The exam is entirely multiple choice, about 120 questions in 90 minutes.
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CLEP® is a registered trademark of the College Board, which was not involved in producing this guide and does not endorse it. TransferCredit.org is independent and not affiliated with the College Board. © 2026 UPI Globale Edu Inc.