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100+ Free CLEP Natural Sciences Practice Questions

Pass your CLEP Natural Sciences Examination exam on the first try — instant access, no signup required.

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The daily rise and fall of ocean tides on Earth are caused primarily by the gravitational pull of which body?

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Key Facts: CLEP Natural Sciences Exam

120

approximate multiple-choice questions on the exam

College Board

90 minutes

time limit for the exam

College Board

50/50

split between biological science and physical science

College Board

20-80

score scale, with 50 the ACE credit-granting score

College Board / ACE

6

semester hours of credit ACE recommends for passing

American Council on Education

$97

exam fee plus a test-center administration fee

College Board

The CLEP Natural Sciences exam has approximately 120 multiple-choice questions answered in 90 minutes, split 50/50 between biological science and physical science. It is a broad survey for non-majors: biology covers evolution, cells, genetics, organism structure, and ecology, while physical science covers chemistry, physics, astronomy, and earth science. The exam is scored from 20 to 80, the ACE-recommended credit-granting score is 50, and a passing score typically earns 6 semester hours of general-education credit. Registration costs $97 plus a test-center administration fee (source: College Board, clep.collegeboard.org).

Sample CLEP Natural Sciences Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your CLEP Natural Sciences exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1In a Mendelian cross, a heterozygous tall pea plant (Tt) is crossed with a homozygous short plant (tt). What fraction of the offspring are expected to be tall?
A.One half
B.All of them
C.Three quarters
D.One quarter
Explanation: A Tt x tt cross produces offspring in a 1:1 ratio of Tt (tall) to tt (short). Because tall (T) is dominant, the Tt offspring are tall, giving one half tall and one half short. This is the classic test-cross ratio.
2Which structure in a eukaryotic cell is the primary site of aerobic respiration and ATP production?
A.Ribosome
B.Mitochondrion
C.Golgi apparatus
D.Lysosome
Explanation: The mitochondrion carries out the citric acid cycle and oxidative phosphorylation, generating most of a cell's ATP through aerobic respiration. It is often called the powerhouse of the cell and contains its own DNA.
3During DNA replication, an adenine base on one strand pairs with which complementary base on the new strand?
A.Guanine
B.Cytosine
C.Thymine
D.Uracil
Explanation: In DNA, adenine pairs with thymine through two hydrogen bonds, while guanine pairs with cytosine. This complementary base pairing ensures faithful copying of the genetic code during replication.
4In humans, which chromosome combination determines a typical genetic male?
A.XX
B.XO
C.YY
D.XY
Explanation: Typical human males have one X and one Y chromosome (XY), while typical females have two X chromosomes (XX). The Y chromosome carries the SRY gene that triggers male development.
5Which tissue type in plants is primarily responsible for transporting water and dissolved minerals upward from the roots?
A.Xylem
B.Phloem
C.Epidermis
D.Cambium
Explanation: Xylem is the vascular tissue that conducts water and dissolved minerals from the roots upward to the stems and leaves. Transpiration from the leaves helps pull this water column upward.
6A man with blood type AB and a woman with blood type O have children. What blood types are possible in their offspring?
A.AB or O only
B.A or B only
C.A, B, AB, or O
D.O only
Explanation: The AB parent contributes either an A or a B allele, and the O parent (genotype ii) contributes an i allele. Offspring are therefore either Ai (type A) or Bi (type B). No child can be AB or O.
7Which organ system in humans is primarily responsible for gas exchange between the body and the environment?
A.Circulatory system
B.Digestive system
C.Respiratory system
D.Excretory system
Explanation: The respiratory system, centered on the lungs, exchanges oxygen and carbon dioxide between air and blood across the alveoli. The circulatory system then carries these gases to and from tissues.
8A trait controlled by a recessive allele appears in a child whose parents both show the dominant phenotype. What must be true of the parents' genotypes?
A.Both parents are homozygous dominant
B.The trait arose only by mutation
C.One parent is homozygous recessive
D.Both parents are heterozygous carriers
Explanation: For a child to express a recessive trait, the child must inherit a recessive allele from each parent. Since both parents show the dominant phenotype but carry a recessive allele, both must be heterozygous carriers.
9Which of the following best describes the function of red blood cells in humans?
A.Carrying oxygen via hemoglobin
B.Fighting infection by engulfing pathogens
C.Forming clots to stop bleeding
D.Producing antibodies
Explanation: Red blood cells (erythrocytes) contain hemoglobin, an iron-rich protein that binds oxygen in the lungs and releases it to body tissues. They are specialized for oxygen transport and lack a nucleus in mature mammalian form.
10In a dihybrid cross between two individuals heterozygous for both genes (RrYy x RrYy), what is the expected phenotypic ratio of the offspring?
A.3:1
B.9:3:3:1
C.1:1:1:1
D.1:2:1
Explanation: A cross of RrYy x RrYy, with independent assortment, yields the classic 9:3:3:1 phenotypic ratio: 9 showing both dominant traits, 3 and 3 showing one dominant and one recessive, and 1 showing both recessive traits.

About the CLEP Natural Sciences Exam

The CLEP Natural Sciences exam is a College Board credit-by-examination test covering introductory college-level natural science for non-science majors. It contains approximately 120 multiple-choice questions to be answered in 90 minutes, split evenly between biological science (50%) and physical science (50%). The exam is computer-based, scored on a 20-80 scale, and most colleges grant 6 semester hours of general-education science credit for the ACE-recommended passing score of 50.

Questions

120 scored questions

Time Limit

90 minutes

Passing Score

50 (on a 20-80 scale)

Exam Fee

$97 plus a test-center administration fee (College Board)

CLEP Natural Sciences Exam Content Outline

20%

Structure, Function, and Heredity in Organisms

Structure, function, and development in organisms plus Mendelian and molecular patterns of heredity.

10%

Origin, Evolution, and Classification of Life

Origin of life, evolution and natural selection, and the classification of organisms.

10%

Cells, Genetics, and Bioenergetics

Cell organization and division, the chemical nature of the gene, bioenergetics, and biosynthesis.

10%

Population Biology and Ecology

Population biology with emphasis on ecology, energy flow, and nutrient cycles.

12%

Heat, Thermodynamics, States of Matter, and Mechanics

Heat and thermodynamics, states of matter, classical mechanics, and relativity.

10%

Chemical Elements, Compounds, and Reactions

Chemical elements, compounds, reactions, molecular structure, and bonding.

10%

The Earth and Earth Science

Atmosphere, hydrosphere, structural features, geologic processes, and history.

7%

Atomic and Nuclear Structure

Atomic and nuclear structure, elementary particles, and nuclear reactions.

7%

The Universe and Astronomy

Galaxies, stars, and the solar system.

4%

Electricity, Magnetism, Waves, Light, and Sound

Electricity and magnetism plus waves, light, and sound.

How to Pass the CLEP Natural Sciences Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: 50 (on a 20-80 scale)
  • Exam length: 120 questions
  • Time limit: 90 minutes
  • Exam fee: $97 plus a test-center administration fee

Keys to Passing

  • Complete 500+ practice questions
  • Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
  • Focus on highest-weighted sections
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

CLEP Natural Sciences Study Tips from Top Performers

1Because the exam is 50% biology and 50% physical science, split your review time evenly and do not neglect chemistry, physics, astronomy, or earth science.
2Focus on understanding core concepts and interpreting graphs, diagrams, and tables rather than memorizing exact numerical values.
3Within biology, give extra time to organism structure, function, and heredity, which alone is 20% of the exam.
4Review a periodic-table basics chart, common reaction types, and Newton's laws — high-frequency physical-science topics.
5Practice with timed mixed-topic question sets so you can switch quickly between biology and physical science under the 90-minute limit.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

The exam has approximately 120 multiple-choice questions and a 90-minute time limit. Some questions are unscored pretest items, and a few are laboratory-oriented.

What score do I need to pass the CLEP Natural Sciences exam?

CLEP exams are scored on a 20-80 scale. The American Council on Education (ACE) recommends a credit-granting score of 50, though individual colleges set their own credit policies.

What is covered on the CLEP Natural Sciences exam?

The exam is split evenly between biological science (50%) and physical science (50%). Biology covers evolution, cells, genetics, organism structure, and ecology; physical science covers chemistry, physics, astronomy, and earth science.

How much college credit does the CLEP Natural Sciences exam grant?

ACE recommends 6 semester hours of credit for a passing score, typically satisfying a general-education laboratory or natural-science requirement. Confirm credit with your specific college.

How much does the CLEP Natural Sciences exam cost?

The CLEP exam fee is $97, paid to the College Board, plus a separate administration fee charged by the test center. Some military test-takers can have the exam fee covered by DANTES funding.

Is the CLEP Natural Sciences exam hard?

It is a broad, non-major survey, so it tests breadth rather than depth. No advanced math or memorized formulas are required, but you must recognize core concepts across biology, chemistry, physics, astronomy, and earth science.