Episode 17
CLEP Tests and Why You Should Take Them
June 4th, 2020
18 mins 33 secs
Season 1
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About this Episode
"CLEP exams help students earn college credit for what they already know, for a fraction of the cost of a college course." -College Board CLEP website
$89 (Subject to change) plus small administration fee charged by test center.
Most tests last 90 minutes.
Key CLEP Facts:
Students take CLEP exams on a computer at official CLEP test centers.
CLEP exams contain multiple-choice questions.
CLEP exams take about 90–120 minutes to complete, depending on the exam subject.
CLEP exams are offered year-round at more than 2,000 CLEP test centers across the country.
Students receive their CLEP exam scores immediately after completing the exam (except for College Composition and Spanish with Writing).
More than 2,900 U.S. colleges and universities grant credit for CLEP. A college’s CLEP credit policy explains:
-Which CLEP exams are accepted by the institution
-What CLEP score you need to receive credit
-How many credits are awarded for a particular CLEP exam
The policy may also include other guidelines, such as the maximum number of credits a student can earn through CLEP. Before signing up for a CLEP exam, talk with your academic advisor to figure out how an exam fits in with your education plan." -From clep.collegeboard.com website
Who Can Take CLEP Exams?
Anyone interested in earning college credit and saving time and money can take a CLEP exam. CLEP launched in 1967 as a way for adult students and military service members to earn degrees inexpensively while also being able to meet work and family responsibilities.
34 different exams are offered for CLEP credit:
Composition and Literature
These exams cover topics related to American and British literature and composition.
American Literature
Analyzing and Interpreting Literature
College Composition
College Composition Modular
English Literature
Humanities
World Languages
These exams assess comprehension of French, German, and Spanish.
French Language: Levels 1 and 2
German Language: Levels 1 and 2
Spanish Language: Levels 1 and 2
Spanish with Writing: Levels 1 and 2
History and Social Sciences
These exams cover topics related to history, economics, and psychology.
American Government
History of the United States I
History of the United States II
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
Science and Mathematics
These exams cover various science disciplines and different levels of math.
Biology
Calculus
Chemistry
College Algebra
College Mathematics
Natural Sciences
Precalculus
Business
These exams cover various business disciplines.
Financial Accounting
Information Systems
Introductory Business Law
Principles of Management
Principles of Marketing
Search for the college or university on the College Board website by clicking on "See Which Colleges Accept CLEP."
For Example:
Oklahoma State University in Stillwater accepts these for credit:
OSU - Stillwater
Exams, Minimum Score for Credit, Credit Hours Awarded
Business
Financial Accounting, 50, 3
Introductory Business Law, 50, 3
Principles of Management, 50, 3
Principles of Marketing, 50, 3
Composition and Literature
College Composition, 54, 3
Foreign Languages
French Language Level I, 50, 6
French Language Level II, 59, 9
German Language Level I, 50, 6
German Language Level II, 60, 9
Spanish Language Level I, 50, 6
Spanish Language Level II, 63, 9
History and Social Sciences
American Government, 50, 3
Human Growth and Development, 50, 3
Introduction to Educational Psychology, 50, 3
Introductory Psychology, 50, 3
Introductory Sociology, 50, 3
Principles of Macroeconomics, 50, 3
Principles of Microeconomics, 50, 3
Science and Mathematics
Biology, 50, 4
Calculus, 50, 4
Chemistry, 50, 9
College Algebra, 50, 3
Precalculus, 50, 5
Order Transcripts ($20 fee per transcript)
To award credit for CLEP, colleges, universities, or other organizations typically require that you send an official CLEP transcript.