Studies show that it is more important than ever to get your degree, and those who don’t risk falling further and further behind. A fast track degree program can help many achieve the goal of a degree and stay ahead in the game. Is a fast track program right for you? Let's break down your options and reasons why taking advantage of these time-saving solutions can help you graduate college faster. 

What is a fast track program? 

A fast track college program helps students advance their education in less time. These programs typically cater to working adults who don't have time for a full-time traditional college schedule. 

There are different ways to fast track you college progress, including: 

• Credit by exam: Credit by exam allows you to test out of college courses by passing a proficiency test. Rather than attending a 16-week long course, you can earn the same credits after passing a 2-hour test. These exams are also known as CLEP exams. 
  
  
• Accelerated degrees: An accelerate degree focuses on your chosen area of study at a much faster pace, condensing learning into a tighter schedule. 

The five reasons below can help you determine if a fast track program is right for you – and show why Achieve Test Prep’s programs could be just what you need.

#1 - You are on a budget

It's no secret that college is expensive. Tuition costs at public universities have far outpaced inflation, rising more than 225% since 1985! 

According to surveys, up to 83% of Americans struggle to pay for college. 

Accelerated degree programs help you move through college requirements at a faster pace, which often means paying less money for the same education. 

Rather than being stuck in the traditional four-year college structure, fast track programs cut down on education time, resulting in less tuition. 

Fast track programs, such as Achieve Test Prep’s credit-by-exam, make college more affordable since “testing out” means you can reduce the number of classes you have to take, saving thousands in tuition costs.

#2 - You have a busy schedule

Studies show that the main reason students drop out of college is due to time constraints. Many find supporting a family or taking care of dependent children makes it too difficult to continue attending school in the traditional way.

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation funded a study in which 71% of the students surveyed said work conflicts were a factor in their decision to drop out. Many students aren’t prepared and find that the college workload is far more than they expected. Balancing commitments and school is just too stressful for many students.

Here again, programs like Achieve Test Prep offer a solution. With Achieve’s credit-by-exam prep program, after a few short weeks of a prep course, you take and pass a single exam to receive a traditional semester’s worth of credit – eliminating the extra homework, essays, research reports, and quizzes. And Achieve’s courses are flexible, offering day, night, and weekend classes through online, live virtual classrooms.

Depending on your schedule and choice of degree, you could save up to 1 year of coursework, helping you graduate faster than using traditional methods.

#3 - You want to make a commitment to yourself

Some fast track programs don’t consider your needs, and other programs often require a huge commitment from you through contracts with restrictive terms. With Achieve there are no long-term contracts and refunds are available based on our withdrawal policy. Attendance is easy because of our flexibility and online options for classes. Our commitment is to you. Our goal is your success. That’s the Achieve difference.

#4 - You want to advance your career as soon as possible

It is estimated that a person with a degree will earn over a million dollars more than someone with just a high school diploma over the course of his or her working years.

A degree makes you more marketable, and will prepare you for a good career with increased opportunities and flexibility to grow. Your college degree can empower you and give you more control in your life.

You want the satisfaction and pride that comes to you - and your family - from graduating with a degree. Achieve can help you obtain your dreams faster and with less expense than possible through traditional methods.

#5 - You like free stuff

Who doesn’t like free stuff? Achieve Test Prep delivers with FREE ebooks for the prep courses, FREE remedial help if you need extra tutoring to pass an exam, FREE one-on-one coaching to ensure your success, and FREE retakes of the course if you do fail to pass the first time (though the pass rate for our students is over 93%). 

These are just a few of the reasons a fast track program makes sense. Contact Achieve Test Prep today for more about why our credit-by-exam program is the right choice for you.