CLEP Test

The College Board administers the College Level Examination Program (CLEP).  It is a credit- by -examination program, which allows students to acquire college credits, by demonstrating their knowledge of college level introductory subjects by gaining passing scores in any of the 33 examinations.  The CLEP is a program successfully continuing since 40 years and accepted by 2900 colleges and universities and administered across 1700 test centers.

The CLEP is beneficial to students who have gained their knowledge of subjects either by self study, work experience or cultural interaction or have been home-schooled.  Such students can demonstrate their proficiency in their subject areas by taking the CLEP and hence bypassing the undergraduate course.

Benefits of CLEP

• CLEP allows students space in introductory classes
• CLEP helps students complete their degrees earlier thereby saving time and tuition costs.  The cost of a CLEP exam is $70, whereas the tuition cost of the course is easily $70,000.  The number of credits the student is awarded for CLEP, if successful,  is the same as the student would have got by completing the course in the normal way.
• CLEP promotes better retention rates in the classroom
• CLEP is constructed by 600 in service faculty members
• A passing score on any of the 33 exams earns a student nearly 3 to 12 college credits.

CLEP- benefits high school graduates, college students, returning students, transfer students, military personnel, and international students.  The students must inquire about the exams which their college will accept before taking the CLEP exam.  Some colleges accept nearly all CLEP exams, and some have a limited acceptance.  The introductory courses the CLEP favors are in five general domains:

• Literature and Composition
• Foreign languages
• History and social sciences
• Science and math
• Business

CLEP Test Scores

CLEP exams are multiple choice exams except the essay section and are scored on a scale of 20 to 80. The score for which credit is granted is 50, but individual colleges may vary slightly on credits awarded.

CLEP Test Study Material

The College Board offers numerous resources and practice exams for preparing for the CLEP.  Study guides, practice sessions, practice exams and exam review are available or students to acquaint themselves with the CLEP format.