CLEP exams allow students to earn college credits at an accelerated rate by proving mastery of the material and testing out of the course. By successfully passing one proficiency exam, students can demonstrate topic comprehension. Learn what CLEP exams are available, who accepts them, and how to CLEP out of college courses with this detailed overview.

What does CLEP stand for? 

CLEP stands for “college-level examination program.” This program was developed over 50 years ago by the College Board, a not-for-profit organization promoting increased access to higher education. 

The original goal of CLEP tests was to help former military and adult learners earn their degrees at a manageable pace outside the traditional four-year college structure. Students test out of certain courses to focus on their main areas of study, while still balancing personal and professional responsibilities. 

This method of earning college credits is also referred to as “credit by examination” or “credit by exam.” Over the years, CLEP has expanded to offer more and more general education exams. CLEP can benefit students of different ages and experiences. CLEP currently offers 34 exams in business, composition and literature, history and social sciences, science and mathematics, and world languages

Who accepts CLEP exams?

CLEP credits are accepted at 2,900 colleges and universities across the United States. Students must verify with their accredited institution whether or not CLEP exams are accepted and if there are limits as to how many courses they can test out of. It is recommended that students check directly with their school or through a highly reputable source so that exam efforts don’t go to waste.

Will CLEP credits transfer?

If your school of choice accepts CLEP exams for your chosen course, CLEP credits will transfer. 

Here’s how CLEP exams work: 

1. Register for exam: Students must first register for their CLEP exam of choice. There are over 2,000 testing centers across the United States. Most CLEP exams require a $93 registration fee (additional fees may apply).
   
   
2. Take exam: CLEP exams last anywhere from 90 to 120 minutes to complete depending on the topic. Most consist of multiple choice questions, though some subjects (such as College Composition) may also include an essay portion.
   
   
3. Pass exam: Students must pass the CLEP exam to earn credit. The minimum qualifying score is 50 out of 80, or 63% to pass the exam.
   
   
4. Transfer credits: After passing the CLEP exam, the earned credits can be transferred by providing a copy of the student’s score to their chosen accredited college or university. Transcripts will read as “pass” or “complete” for the subject in question. 

What CLEP tests are available?

CLEP tests are available in 34 subjects ranging from history to business to science. 

The current lineup of available CLEP tests include: 

History and Social Sciences

• American Government
• History of the United States I: Early Colonization to 1877
• History of the United States II: 1865 to the Present 
• Human Growth and Development
• Introduction to Educational Psychology
• Introductory Psychology 
• Introductory Sociology 
• Principles of Macroeconomics
• Principles of Microeconomics
• Social Sciences and History 
• Western Civilization I: Ancient Near East to 1648
• Western Civilization II: 1648 to the Present

Composition and Literature

• American Literature
• Analyzing and Interpreting Literature 
• College Composition 
• College Composition Modular
• English Literature
• Humanities 

Science and Mathematics

• Biology
• Calculus
• Chemistry
• College Algebra
• College Mathematics 
• Natural Sciences
• Precalculus 

Business

• Financial Accounting 
• Information Systems
• Introductory Business Law
• Principles of Management 
• Principles of Marketing 

World Languages

• French Language Level 1
• French Language Level 2   
• German Language Level 1
• German Language Level 2 
• Spanish Language Level 1
• Spanish Language Level 2 
• Spanish with Writing Level 1 
• Spanish with Writing Level 2 

* Achieve offer test prep courses for those listed in bold above. Learn more here

CLEP exams are only available for general education or prerequisite courses. Core subject matter courses are typically not available through credit by exam, but utilizing this method for prerequisites alone can eliminate up to a year of traditional classroom time.  

When are CLEP exams offered?

CLEP exams are offered year-round at testing centers across the country. Most centers will offer each CLEP exam subject at least once a month, though it’s important to verify each center’s schedule ahead of time. 

Some testing centers offer exams at set days/times, while others offer more flexibility. Either way, students are advised to register for exams well in advance to secure their spot. Some CLEP exams may also be taken online when overseen by a remote proctor in addition to in person at a local testing center. 

If students fail their CLEP exam on the first attempt, they need to wait 90 days to retake that topic. 

What is the difference between CLEP and DSST?

DSST stands for “DANTES Subject Standardization Test”. It is another credit by exam option. DSST originated through the United States Department of Defense to help military members earn their degrees. Now, anyone can benefit from these exams. 

CLEP and DSST are similar in that both:

• Help students earn credits through proficiency exams
• Use multiple choice question formats 
• Must be completed in person on a computer with a remote proctor
• Allow students to save time and money 

The differences between CLEP and DSST include: 

Test length: DSST exams are typically longer than CLEP exams

• CLEP: 90 minutes
• DSST: 120 minutes

School acceptance: DSST credits are not as widely accepted as CLEP credits

• CLEP: accepted at 2,900 colleges
• DSST: accepted at 1,900 colleges 

Available subjects: DSST offers more subjects and varying credit levels than CLEP

• CLEP: offers 34 subjects in all lower-level courses
• DSST: offers 38 subjects with a few upper-level courses

Can you take both CLEP and DSST exams to test out of college courses? 

Yes! Combining programs is a smart strategy for students looking to maximize their credit-by-exam options. Because DSST is accepted at fewer colleges than CLEP, it’s important to verify whether your school will accept transfer credits using both credit by exam methods. Check with your school before moving forward. 

Why take a CLEP test?

CLEP exams offer many benefits for students looking for solutions outside the traditional college structure. For many, finishing a degree within such a rigid format does not work, especially when personal and professional responsibilities must receive priority. 

Working adults who have been out of the school system for quite some time often struggle with going back to a classroom setting. The inflexible schedule, rigorous coursework, and financial strain leads to burn out and drop out. 

In fact, only 20% of working adults complete their degrees after six years of study. 

CLEP offers a different path, cutting down on time, money, and other stressors. 

CLEP benefits: 

• Save time: Testing out of college courses is a huge time saver. Most college semesters run 15-17 weeks but a CLEP exam can be completed in 90 minutes for the same credit. 

• Save money: The average college course costs upwards of $2,400, compared to the $93 CLEP fee.  After one year of testing out of eight general education courses, that’s a savings of more than $18,000. 

• More flexibility: Following the traditional college format forces students into a four-year plan. There is no limit as to how many CLEP exams can be taken at a time, allowing students to move at their own pace. 

• Easier scheduling: College courses typically meet 2-3 times a week for 60+ minutes. One CLEP exam takes 90 minutes total. 

• More convenience: Attending a classroom setting multiple times a week isn’t always manageable for working adults. CLEP exams can be scheduled at the student’s convenience. 

Are CLEP exams hard? 

CLEP exams are designed to test a student’s comprehensive understanding on a topic. Tests are created by curriculum experts who know how to assess proficiency. 

One of the hardest parts of CLEP exams is knowing what material will be on the test. For example, a student may feel fairly knowledgeable in American Literature, but there may be books or authors on the exam that they may not have read or don’t remember as well. 

Preparing for a CLEP exam is the best way to set yourself up for success. There are different options for get ready for CLEP:

• Use practice tests: Most CLEP subjects have available practice tests to help you gauge your readiness. A practice test is a good tool to see what topics you need to brush up on before taking the real exam. 

• Complete a test prep course: CLEP test prep courses teach you exactly what you need to know to pass the exam. These courses are significantly less expensive and less time consuming than traditional college courses but help you get the same end result.
  

You can CLEP out of college classes

CLEP exams are a flexible, affordable option to help students earn college credit and finish their degrees faster. If you’re looking to accelerate your education but need help preparing for CLEP exams, Achieve Test Prep can help. 

We offer CLEP exam test-prep courses that meet only once a week to prepare you for your test. In fact, 93% of Achieve students pass their exams on their first try!

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