History of the United States II Practice Test

140 questions available

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Certification exam
120 Exam questions
1 hour 30 minutes Time Limit
Your practice
140 Practice questions
2 hours 20 minutes Practice Time
Try 5 free questions
No account needed. A free account includes 20 questions for this exam.
The bar to clear 50 Published passing score for this certification.
Explore exam topics Official objectives from CLEP
CLEP140 practice questions
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Exam overview and details

The History of the United States II certification exam is a rigorous, industry-recognized assessment validating a professional's comprehensive understanding of American history from the post-Civil War Reconstruction era through the late 20th century. This certification demonstrates mastery of critical themes including industrialization, progressivism, America's emergence as a world power, the Great Depression, both World Wars, the Cold War, and the transformative social movements of the 1960s and beyond. Earning this credential signifies not just factual knowledge, but the analytical ability to connect historical events to their political, economic, and social consequences. It is highly valued in fields such as education, public policy, law, journalism, and government service, where historical context is essential for informed decision-making and effective communication. Holders of this certification are recognized for their depth of knowledge and their capacity to apply historical insights to contemporary challenges.

Sample Questions

Choose an answer and explore the explanation to see how practice works.

Social developments

A county clerk in 2015 refuses to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples, saying state law and personal religious convictions should control. Couples cite a Supreme Court decision that recognized same-sex marriage as a constitutional right. Which case are they invoking?

Cultural and intellectual developments

In 1980 a campaign volunteer says school prayer, opposition to abortion, skepticism toward feminism, and defense of the traditional family have moved many conservative Protestants into Republican politics. Which cultural development is most directly reflected?

Social developments

After a 1911 factory fire kills young immigrant women trapped behind locked doors, reformers push New York to inspect workplaces and regulate hours, exits, and fire safety. Which event supplied the strongest catalyst?

Social developments

In the late 1980s activists stage die-ins outside government offices and accuse public-health agencies and drug regulators of moving too slowly during a deadly epidemic that is stigmatized because of its association with gay men and intravenous drug users. What larger social conflict does this activism reveal?

Social developments

A tenant farm family leaves Oklahoma in the late 1930s after drought, dust storms, foreclosure, and mechanization. In California they face hostility as migrant laborers. Which development is illustrated?

Exam insights and study advice

In today's data-driven and context-dependent professional landscape, a certified, nuanced understanding of U.S. history is a significant differentiator. This certification provides tangible evidence of critical thinking, analytical reasoning, and the ability to evaluate complex cause-and-effect relationships. For educators, it validates subject-matter expertise and enhances credibility. For professionals in law, policy, or communications, it demonstrates the contextual awareness necessary to navigate legal precedents, craft persuasive arguments, and understand institutional evolution. Industry-wide, this credential signals a commitment to professional development and a foundational literacy that is increasingly sought after in leadership and advisory roles, directly impacting career advancement, specialization, and professional recognition.

What this exam covers

01Civil Rights

02Cold War

03Depression/WWII

04Gilded Age

05Modern America

06Progressive Era

07Reconstruction

08WWI

Exam Details USHII | $93 USD | 1 hour 30 minutes

Exam Code USHII
Vendor CLEP
Exam Cost $93 USD
Passing Score 50
Time Limit 1 hour 30 minutes
Exam questions 120
Question Types Multiple choice (100%)
Exam Format Multiple-choice (computer-based)

Frequently Asked Questions

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