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Key Facts: CLEP Chemistry Exam

75

approximate number of multiple-choice questions on the exam

College Board

90 minutes

time limit for the CLEP Chemistry exam

College Board

50

ACE credit-granting score on the 20-80 scale

College Board / ACE

6

semester hours of credit recommended by ACE for a passing score

ACE

~20%

of the exam covers Structure of Matter, the largest content area

College Board

$97

exam fee plus a separate test-center administration fee

College Board

The CLEP Chemistry exam has approximately 75 multiple-choice questions and a 90-minute time limit, covering a full year of college general chemistry. It is scored on a 20-80 scale, with 50 being the ACE-recommended credit-granting score (commonly worth 6 semester hours). The largest content areas are Structure of Matter (~20%) and States of Matter (~19%), followed by Descriptive Chemistry (~14%) and Reaction Types (~12%). An on-screen periodic table and scientific calculator are provided, and the exam costs $97 plus a test-center administration fee (source: College Board, clep.collegeboard.org).

Sample CLEP Chemistry Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the CLEP Chemistry exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 115+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1What is the ground-state electron configuration of a neutral sulfur atom (atomic number 16)?
A.1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p4
B.1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6
C.1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p2
D.1s2 2s2 2p4 3s2 3p6
Explanation: Sulfur has 16 electrons. Filling orbitals in order gives 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p4, which accounts for all 16 electrons (2+2+6+2+4). The four 3p electrons leave sulfur two electrons short of a noble-gas configuration, consistent with its -2 charge in many compounds.
2Two atoms that have the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons are called what?
A.Isomers
B.Ions
C.Allotropes
D.Isotopes
Explanation: Isotopes are atoms of the same element (same number of protons, so the same atomic number) that differ in their number of neutrons, giving them different mass numbers. For example, carbon-12 and carbon-14 are both carbon but have 6 and 8 neutrons, respectively.
3According to VSEPR theory, what is the molecular geometry of a methane (CH4) molecule?
A.Trigonal planar
B.Bent
C.Tetrahedral
D.Trigonal pyramidal
Explanation: Methane has a central carbon bonded to four hydrogen atoms with no lone pairs on carbon. Four bonding electron domains arrange themselves to minimize repulsion, producing a tetrahedral geometry with bond angles of about 109.5 degrees.
4Which type of chemical bond results from the electrostatic attraction between oppositely charged ions?
A.Ionic bond
B.Nonpolar covalent bond
C.Metallic bond
D.Hydrogen bond
Explanation: An ionic bond forms when one atom transfers electrons to another, producing a cation and an anion that are held together by electrostatic attraction. This typically occurs between metals and nonmetals, as in sodium chloride (NaCl).
5As you move from left to right across a period in the periodic table, what generally happens to the atomic radius?
A.It increases
B.It first increases then decreases
C.It stays constant
D.It decreases
Explanation: Across a period, the number of protons (nuclear charge) increases while electrons are added to the same principal energy level. The greater effective nuclear charge pulls the electron cloud inward, so atomic radius decreases from left to right.
6How many valence electrons does a neutral atom of phosphorus (group 15) have?
A.3
B.15
C.7
D.5
Explanation: Phosphorus is in group 15 (formerly group VA) of the periodic table. Main-group elements have valence electrons equal to the units digit of the old group number, so phosphorus has 5 valence electrons in its 3s and 3p subshells.
7Which subatomic particle has a mass approximately equal to that of a proton but carries no electrical charge?
A.Electron
B.Positron
C.Neutron
D.Photon
Explanation: The neutron has a mass of about 1 atomic mass unit, nearly identical to the proton's mass, but it is electrically neutral. Neutrons reside in the nucleus alongside protons and contribute to an atom's mass number.
8In the nuclear equation for the alpha decay of uranium-238, what is the other product besides thorium-234?
A.A beta particle
B.A neutron
C.A gamma photon only
D.A helium-4 nucleus
Explanation: Alpha decay emits an alpha particle, which is a helium-4 nucleus containing 2 protons and 2 neutrons. Uranium-238 (92 protons) loses 2 protons and 2 neutrons to become thorium-234 (90 protons), conserving both mass number and atomic number.
9Which of the following best explains why water (H2O) is a polar molecule?
A.It has a linear shape with symmetric charge distribution
B.It contains only nonpolar covalent bonds
C.Oxygen and hydrogen have identical electronegativities
D.It has a bent shape and polar O-H bonds that do not cancel
Explanation: Water has a bent molecular geometry due to two lone pairs on oxygen. The O-H bonds are polar because oxygen is more electronegative than hydrogen, and the bent shape means the bond dipoles do not cancel, giving the molecule a net dipole moment.
10What is the maximum number of electrons that can occupy the second principal energy level (n = 2)?
A.2
B.32
C.18
D.8
Explanation: The maximum number of electrons in a principal energy level is given by 2n-squared. For n = 2, this is 2 times 4, which equals 8 electrons, distributed as 2 in the 2s subshell and 6 in the 2p subshell.

About the CLEP Chemistry Exam

The CLEP Chemistry exam covers material typically taught in a one-year college course in general chemistry. It contains approximately 75 multiple-choice questions to be answered in 90 minutes, with a periodic table and an on-screen scientific calculator provided. The exam is scored on a 20-80 scale, and a score of 50 is the credit-granting score recommended by the American Council on Education (ACE), usually for 6 semester hours.

Exam sponsor: College Board. The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Questions

75 questions

Time Limit

90 minutes

Passing Score

50 (on a 20-80 scale)

Exam / Certification Fees

$97 plus a test-center administration fee

Exam sponsor website

Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.

Our practice resources: topics covered

We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.

~20%

Structure of Matter

Atomic structure, electron configuration, periodicity, nuclear chemistry, and chemical bonding and molecular geometry.

~19%

States of Matter

Gas laws, kinetic-molecular theory, liquids, solids, phase changes, and solutions including colligative properties.

~14%

Descriptive Chemistry

Periodic trends, properties of elements and compounds, organic basics, and reactivity patterns.

~12%

Reaction Types

Acid-base, precipitation, and oxidation-reduction reactions in aqueous solution.

~10%

Equations and Stoichiometry

Balancing equations, the mole concept, mass-volume relationships, limiting reactants, and percent yield.

~9%

Experimental Chemistry

Laboratory techniques, measurement, significant figures, data interpretation, and safety.

~7%

Equilibrium

Dynamic equilibrium, Le Chatelier's principle, and equilibrium constants (Kc, Kp, Ksp, Ka, Kb).

~5%

Thermodynamics

Enthalpy, Hess's law, entropy, Gibbs free energy, and spontaneity.

~4%

Kinetics

Reaction rates, rate laws, activation energy, and catalysts.

Preparing for the CLEP Chemistry Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: 50 (on a 20-80 scale)
  • Exam length: 75 questions
  • Time limit: 90 minutes
  • Exam / certification fees: $97 plus a test-center administration fee Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

  • Work through all 115 available questions
  • Review every answer and explanation
  • Track weak areas and revisit them
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

CLEP Chemistry: Suggested Study Strategy

1Memorize periodic trends (atomic radius, ionization energy, electronegativity) and the common polyatomic ions early — they appear across many content areas.
2Practice dimensional analysis until mole conversions, stoichiometry, and molarity calculations are automatic; this is the highest-leverage quantitative skill.
3Learn to predict products and balance acid-base, precipitation, and redox reactions, since Reaction Types is about 12% of the exam.
4Drill Le Chatelier's principle and equilibrium-constant expressions (Kc, Ksp, Ka) with worked examples rather than just reading definitions.
5Use the provided periodic table strategically — it gives atomic masses and group numbers, so you do not need to memorize molar masses.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many questions are on the CLEP Chemistry exam and how long is it?

The CLEP Chemistry exam has approximately 75 multiple-choice questions and a 90-minute time limit. A periodic table and an on-screen scientific calculator are provided during the exam.

What score do I need to pass the CLEP Chemistry exam?

CLEP Chemistry is scored on a 20-80 scale, and the credit-granting score recommended by the American Council on Education (ACE) is 50. Individual colleges may set their own required score, so check with your institution.

How much college credit does CLEP Chemistry award?

ACE recommends awarding 6 semester hours of credit for a score of 50 or higher, typically equivalent to a one-year introductory general chemistry course. The exact credit depends on your college's policy.

What topics does the CLEP Chemistry exam cover?

The exam covers structure of matter (~20%), states of matter (~19%), descriptive chemistry (~14%), reaction types (~12%), equations and stoichiometry (~10%), experimental chemistry (~9%), equilibrium (~7%), thermodynamics (~5%), and kinetics (~4%).

Can I use a calculator on the CLEP Chemistry exam?

Yes. A scientific calculator (a TI-30XS MultiView model) is built into the exam software, and a periodic table of the elements is also provided on screen.

How much does the CLEP Chemistry exam cost?

The CLEP exam fee is $97, plus a separate administration fee charged by the test center. Some test takers, such as eligible military members, may have the fee covered.