Description of the Examination

The History of the United States I: Early Colonization to 1877 examination covers material that is usually taught in the first semester of a two-semester course in United States history. The examination covers the period of United States history from early European colonizations to the end of Reconstruction, with the majority of the questions on the period of 1790-1877. In the part covering the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, emphasis is placed on the English colonies.

The examination contains 120 questions to be answered in 90 minutes. Some of these are pretest questions that will not be scored. Any time candidates spend on tutorials and providing personal information is in addition to the actual testing time.

Knowledge and Skills Required

Questions on the History of the United States I examination require candidates to demonstrate one or more of the following abilities:

• Identification and description of historical phenomena
• Analysis and interpretation of historical phenomena
• Comparison and contrast of historical phenomena

The following are among the specific topics tested:

• The character of Colonial society
• British relations with the Atlantic colonies in North America
• The motivations and character of American expansionism
• The content of the Constitution and its amendments, and their interpretation by the Supreme Court
• The growth of political parties
• The changing role of government in American life
• The intellectual and political expressions of nationalism
• Agrarianism, abolitionism, and other such movements
• Long-term demographic trends
• The process of economic growth and development
• The origins and nature of Black slavery in America
• Immigration and the history of racial and ethnic minorities
• The causes and impacts of major wars in American history
• Major movements and individual figures in the history of American arts and letters
• Major movements and individual figures in the history of women and the family

Study Resources

Most textbooks used in college-level United States history courses cover the topics in the outline given earlier, but the approaches to certain topics and the emphasis given to them may differ. To prepare for the History of the United States I exam, it is advisable to study one or more college textbooks, which can be found in most college bookstores. When selecting a textbook, check the table of contents against the "Knowledge and Skills Required" for this test.

Additional detail and differing interpretations can be gained by consulting readers and specialized historical studies. Pay attention to visual materials (pictures, maps, and charts) as you study. The Internet is another resource you could explore.