What Are CLEP Exams and What Are the Benefits?

Key takeaways

The College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) is a series of tests you can take to earn college credit for your undergraduate degree.

• The CLEP collection includes 34 tests covering a broad range of subjects, from history and science to business and world languages [1].

• Students pursuing a bachelor's degree can save up to 14 months by taking CLEP exams, while those in an associate degree program can save up to four and a half months [2].

• You can plan your testing strategy by exploring which CLEP exams your school accepts and the number of credits you can earn for each passing score.

Learn more about CLEP exams, what's involved with taking them, and how to use them to graduate faster.

What is a CLEP exam?

CLEP exams are multiple-choice exams that college professors develop. They design the questions based on the material commonly taught in lower-level college courses and establish the passing score for the exam. 

The CLEP collection includes 34 tests covering a broad range of subjects, including history and the social sciences, composition and literature, science, mathematics, business, and world languages [1]. Each test will take between 90 and 125 minutes to finish [3, 4]. Since the tests are computer-based, you see your score immediately after completing the exam unless you took an exam with a writing section.

Types of CLEP tests

CLEP exams cover a variety of subjects commonly found in lower-level college courses. Many of these courses are introductory and survey courses that students take during their first or second year of college.

The list below includes each of the current CLEP exams [5]:

• American Government

• American Literature

• Analyzing & Interpreting Literature

• Biology

• Calculus

• Chemistry

• College Algebra

• College Mathematics

• College Composition

• College Composition Modular

• English Literature

• Financial Accounting

• French Language

• German Language

• History of the United States

• Human Growth and Development

• Humanities

• Information Systems

• Introduction to Educational Psychology

• Introductory Business Law

• Introductory Psychology

• Introductory Sociology

• Natural Sciences

• Precalculus

• Principles of Macroeconomics

• Principles of Management

• Principles of Marketing

• Principles of Microeconomics

• Spanish Language

• Spanish Language with Writing

• Western Civilization (Part 1: Ancient Near East to 1648 and Part 2: 1648 to the Present)

Which schools accept credit from CLEP exams?

Thousands of colleges and universities accept CLEP credit. If you're unsure whether your college accepts this credit, the College Board offers a helpful tool on the CLEP website. Choose your state and school from a drop-down menu to see if it's on the list.

Each school sets its own criteria for CLEP credit. Criteria include the tests they accept, the courses they apply the credit to, and the minimum score you need.

How much are CLEP exams?

The College Board charges $97 for each CLEP exam. However, the total cost you pay varies, depending on where you take the exam, because test centers also charge an administrative fee [6]. For example, the cost to take a CLEP exam at Arizona State University is $127 [7]. The cost at Florida Gulf Coast University is $140, while the total cost at Florida Atlantic University is $122.50 [8, 9].

Benefits of taking CLEP exams

Taking CLEP exams offers two primary benefits to students. The program makes it possible to save time and money while earning a degree. It also lets you earn credit for knowledge you already have, either from independent study or experience.

Save time

Students pursuing a bachelor's degree can save up to 14 months by taking CLEP exams [2]. Those in an associate degree program can save up to four and a half months. Not only could you earn a degree in less time, but you could also have the advantage of starting your advanced studies sooner. This means spending less of your college career in introductory courses.

Save money

Saving money on college education can be a significant advantage. CLEP exams cost $97 plus the cost of facilities' fees [1]. Even with those fees, the exam cost is a fraction of what you'd pay for a college course.

Get credit for what you already know.

Spend your time (and tuition money) on new and interesting courses rather than those that cover topics you already know. If you're a history buff, you may be able to pass the US history exam and avoid taking the intro-level class in college. Similarly, you can get credit for your knowledge if you're already fluent in French, German, or Spanish.

Learn more: How Long Does It Take to Get a Bachelor's Degree?

How to take CLEP exams

You can take a CLEP exam in a test center or opt for home testing with a remote proctor. To qualify for remote proctoring, you must be at least 13 years old, located in the United States, and have a testing room that meets the technical requirements for the test [10]. Students funded by the Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES) may be able to test in other countries.

How to register for a CLEP examination

You can register for CLEP exams on the program's website:

1. Choose the exam you want to take.

2. Sign in to your CLEP account (or register for a new account if you don't have one).

3. Verify your information is correct.

4. Select the exam you want to take and your preferred test center.

5. Provide the schools you want to send your results to.

6. Place your order.

7. Schedule your exam with the test center search tool. 

Tips for taking CLEP exams

When test day arrives, show up early at the testing center so you won't feel rushed and build up anxiety before the test.

Follow all instructions about where to store your belongings, where to sit, and how to handle restroom breaks.

During the test, take your time. Read each question and all of the possible choices carefully.

Choosing which exams to take

Before you choose which CLEP exams to take, answer these questions:

• Which exams does the school accept?

• What is the minimum score the school accepts?

• How many credits will the school award for the test?

• What is the maximum number of hours you earn for CLEP exams? 

Answering these questions can help you decide which exams are best for you. You should not pay for and sit for an exam that the school won't accept.

Preparing for the exam with test prep materials and CLEP exam practice tests

As you prepare for your CLEP test, use the free and paid test prep materials that are available. You can take practice tests, such as the CLEP Spanish practice tests, to get an idea of what to expect on test day.

Some of these practice tests may come with explanations that let you know why the correct answer is correct. That may help you understand the thought process you should follow when answering questions on test day.

Some more tips for getting ready for the exam to consider include:

• Set goals: Choose SMART goals that are specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and time-bound.

• Schedule study sessions: You need time and space to focus without distractions.

• Start studying early: Give yourself time to spread out your study sessions over time instead of cramming right before the exam.

• Try mind-mapping: After your study sessions, use this helpful tool to review and remember the information.

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