What Is the CLEP Exam?

College students bring unique life experience to the classroom, particularly students returning to school after a break for military service or full-time work. That experience can save you time and money. The College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) allows students to demonstrate what they know and earn credit without taking a class.

More than 2,900 colleges and universities accept credits from CLEP tests. With 34 CLEP tests offered, you can quickly satisfy general education requirements and prerequisites. Students who have earned credit through a prior learning assessment like the CLEP test save several months when earning their bachelor’s degree.

The Educational Testing Service administers the CLEP test program for the College Board. CLEP test centers offer the exams at more than 2,000 colleges across the country. Faculty members develop the test and questions to ensure test-takers possess the key knowledge and skills needed to earn course credit.

CLEP subject areas include history, the humanities, social science, business, foreign languages, math, and science. Most tests cover subjects offered as part of a general education curriculum or introductory courses taken in the first two years of college. Students with professional work experience or military training and high school students all benefit from the CLEP test program.

CLEP tests make up part of a college’s prior learning assessments. Passing one exam can replace a 3-credit course. CLEP tests cost $89 each, though men and women in the military may qualify for free exams. CLEP credits do not impact your GPA but do allow you to focus on courses covering new material.

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

Earning 15 CLEP credits can save students nearly $5,000 toward tuition costs at an average four-year school. The average public college charged $10,560 in tuition and fees for full-time students in 2019-20, with an average per-credit charge of $396. Each CLEP exam costs $89, though CLEP test centers may charge administration fees.

These tests can also speed up the time required to graduate. College Board research found CLEP and other prior learning assessments can shave 2.5-10.1 months off the time it takes to complete a bachelor’s program. Students pursuing an associate degree can save an average of 1.5-4.5 months. About 92% of colleges and universities offer credit for prior learning.

These exams remain popular with students with military experience. About 80% of military students taking the Spanish with writing and college composition modular exams pass their tests. The Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support helps military students access alternative credit programs like the CLEP test. The program pays for the exam and provides CLEP test prep materials at no cost.

Colleges set their own rules for accepting CLEP credits. Some schools may apply the credits as transfer credits or as electives. Universities may also set a higher standard to grant credit than the College Board passing score, particularly for prerequisite courses or credits related to your major.

Talk with your enrollment advisor to understand how CLEP credits will impact your degree plan.

Give yourself plenty of time to get to the test site on exam day. Arrive early to allow for the check-in process. You must bring a government-issued ID, and the name on the ticket must match your registration ticket exactly. Military test-takers must present a military ID.

Each center charges an administration fee in addition to the CLEP test fee of $89. You will pay this fee on exam day.

Test sites can provide accommodations for students with disabilities, such as screen magnification, a sign language interpreter, or extended time. Make sure to arrange accommodations with your selected CLEP test center.

Carefully review the list of prohibited items, such as calculators, hooded sweatshirts, and food and beverages. The testing center provides scratch paper, and the testing software includes a calculator function.

A few tips for how to pass a CLEP test: Take your time as you work through the multiple-choice questions, and read all answers carefully. You’ll get your score report immediately unless your exam includes an essay. If you don’t pass the exam, you can retake the CLEP test after three months.