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What is a CLEP test?
- The CLEP test is short for College-Level Exam Preparation®. This is a program where you can take a test, and if you pass, you’ll receive college credit. There are tests for a variety of study areas, most are general education classes. This allows you to skip a class, a semester or even a whole year of college, depending on your school.
Who takes a CLEP test?
- Everyone: In reality, any student who wants to skip a class, with credit, should take a CLEP test.
- Adult Students: Because adults returning to college are in a hurry to graduate as fast as possible, testing out is a great way to shave off an extra class or two.
- High School Students: Enter your 1st year of college as a sophomore, not a freshman by testing out of your general education credits.
- Military Students: Students that are in the military do not have to pay for CLEP testing fees (although the testing center may charge a fee). Also, many military bases, especially Air force bases have testing centers on site, making it easier than ever to test out for credit.
Why should I take a CLEP test?
- Taking a CLEP test will:
- Save you money on tuition and books. Don’t forget all those extra expenses like lab fees and school supplies.
- Save you time. Your time is the most precious thing you have. If you could reduce a year off your schooling, would you do it? That’s one full year earlier that you can start your career, at a higher salary. Even testing out of only one CLEP test will save you at least three months of class time. That’s extra time you can spend with your family, your friends and doing the thing you enjoy.
Who can take the CLEP?
- Everyone, at any age can take a CLEP test at an Open Testing Center.
What is a CLEP Open Testing Center and Where Can I Find One?
- An Open Testing Center is a school that allows anyone to take CLEP tests there, even if you are not a student. Usually, these Centers involve a fee above the regular testing fee. Sometimes, the Center will charge you an appointment fee in addition to a testing fee. If you don’t show up for the test, they keep the appointment fee. The average school testing fee is about $15 above and beyond the test fee. You can look up the closest CLEP testing center by clicking here.
Where can I take a DANTES test?
- Dantes tests are now $70 plus any additional fee that the school or university charges. You can take them at most schools that accept the credit. For a list of testing centers, click here.
What is the Fee to take a CLEP test?
- The fee to take a CLEP test is $55. However, most schools charge an administration fee in addition. Most schools charge an additional $15, making it approximately $70 to test out of one CLEP test. The fee is the same for a 3 credit hour or a 6 credit hour test. Students in the Military do not have to pay the CLEP fee but are still subject to the administration fee.
What do I need to bring to the test?
- Bring two forms of government issued identification and your credit card to pay for the test. You cannot pay for the CLEP test in cash.
What tests can you test out of?
- You can take as many CLEP tests as you wish. However, you will need to contact your school directly to find out how many credits you can receive by examination. Here is a list of all the CLEP tests and their credits. Remember, you need to contact your school to verify that test credit is accepted and the amount of credit you can receive. Finally, double check with your academic advisor to make sure you actually NEED that type of credit. For example, some schools may count English Literature as a communication art while another will count that test as general education, while another will count that same test for an elective or interdisciplinary. Your academic advisor can be a great source of information about CLEP. If you attend a public school, chances are your academic advisor will have little if no experience with this under publicized information. In that case, send them to this web site!
| CLEP TEST |
CREDIT RECEIVED |
| Composition and Literature Tests |
| American Literature |
3-6 credits* |
| Analyzing and Interpreting Literature |
3-6 credits* |
| English Composition |
3 credits |
| English Literature |
3-6 credits* |
| Freshman College Composition |
3 credits |
| Humanities |
3-6 credits* |
| Foreign Languages |
| French Language |
6-12 credits* |
| German Language |
6-12 credits* |
| Spanish Language |
6-12 credits* |
| History and Social Sciences |
| American Government |
3 credits |
| Human Growth & Development |
3 credits |
| Introduction to Educational Psychology |
3 credits |
| Principles of Macroeconomics |
3 credits |
| Principles of Microeconomics |
3 credits |
| Introductory Psychology |
3 credits |
| Introductory Sociology |
3 credits |
| Social Sciences and History |
3-6 credits* |
| U.S. History I: Early Colonizations to 1877 |
3 credits |
| U.S. History II: 1865 to the Present |
3 credits |
| Western Civilization I: Ancient Near East to 1648 |
3 credits |
| Western Civilization II: 1648 to the Present |
3 credits |
| Science and Mathematics |
| Biology |
3-6 credits* |
| Calculus |
3 credits |
| Chemistry |
3-6 credits* |
| College Algebra |
3 credits |
| College Algebra-Trigonometry (only until June 30, 2006) |
3 credits |
| College Mathematics |
3 credits |
| Natural Sciences |
3-6 credits* |
| Trigonometry (only until June 30, 2006) |
3 credits |
| Business |
| Information Systems and Computer Applications |
3 credits |
| Introductory Business Law |
3 credits |
| Principles of Accounting |
3-6 credits* |
| Principles of Management |
3 credits |
| Principles of Marketing |
3 credits |
*Depends on your school/university policy (at least 3 credits, sometimes 6)
How do I know if my school accepts CLEP credit?
- You can check on your school’s website or click here. Make sure you verify your school’s policy with an academic advisor before you take your test, to make sure you’ll receive credit.
How long does it take to study for a CLEP test?
- How long it takes to study for a CLEP test depends on a few factors:
- What is your life experience? Are you a business person who is taking Principles of Management just to save time? If so, you’ll have the work and life experience that will give you some background in this test area.
- Have you previously taken a class in this area? If you’ve taken psychology, even in high-school, you’ll have a base knowledge that will help you study faster. Even if it was 20 years ago, pieces of knowledge will fall into place for you faster, because you’ve already learned this before.
- Are you interested in the subject area? Have you read a lot of books, seen a lot of plays or read a lot of poetry? Then you’ll be halfway there on many of the Humanities and English tests. Again, any previous knowledge you have in an area will help improve your score.
- Are you a good student? If you can read fast and well, it will take you less time to study for a CLEP test.
The more you already know a subject, the less you will need to study for the test. Think of studying for a test in hours, not in days. Some students have the ability and the free time to study four hours a day while other’s can only study one hour a day. On average, to study for a 3 credit hour CLEP test, approximately 20 hours of studying is required – give or take on your experience with the subject area.
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