Dual enrollment
CLEP exams.
Many options let high school students earn college credits before arriving on campus. In this blog, we’ll focus on CLEP exams to help you decide if they make sense for your higher education goals.
What is a CLEP Exam?
The College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) provides an opportunity to receive college credit for what you already know.
Students can take one of 34 tests in five subject areas, including:
- American Government
- Introductory Psychology
- English Literature
- Chemistry
- Calculus
- Principles of Marketing
- Information Systems
The number of questions you answer correctly converts to a scaled score that ranges from 20 to 80. The American Council on Education (ACE) recommends colleges grant credit for results above 50, but institutions can set their own acceptance policies.
Students often use CLEP exams to work through general education requirements.
When Can You Take the CLEP Exam?
Testing centers administer CLEP exams year-round. To register:
- Choose an exam
Visit the CLEP exam topics page and click the register button when you decide on a test. - Schedule your exam
You may take one CLEP exam at a time. When picking a date, also select a preferred testing location or remote proctoring vendor. You can pick up to two institutions to send your scores to for free. After the exam, you must pay a $20 fee for each transcript ordered. - Show up
Study for your CLEP exam then ace it. Arrive early, well-rested, and fed. Research links good sleep and nutrition to higher academic achievement.
Why Take a CLEP Exam?
CLEP exams offer two primary benefits to students:
- Save time: Most college semesters run 16 weeks, with classes meeting up to three times a week for more than an hour at a time. CLEP exams can be completed in an afternoon for the same credit. Testing out of introductory level also helps you move to more advanced courses sooner, potentially allowing you to earn your degree quicker.
- Save money: CLEP exams cost $97 plus your test center’s administration fees. The average public, four-year university charges in-state residents $406 per credit hour. The U.S. government funds CLEP exams for active and retired military service members as well as eligible spouses and civil service employees.
Will CLEP Credits Transfer?
About 2,900 colleges and universities accept CLEP exam credits.
Dr. Jerrod Poe, Dean of Academic Initiatives and Outreach at Portage Learning, encourages students to research their preferred school’s stance. He says institutions often put guidelines on how many can be applied toward a degree.
For example, the University of Pittsburgh’s policy stipulates in part:
- You must be at least 20 years old, or two years removed from high school.
- CLEP subject exams must be taken before completing 90 college credits.
- You may transfer a combined total of 60 credits from CLEP exams and two-year colleges.
Colleges do this, in part, to ensure you understand a subject rather than just know how to take a test on it.
“CLEP exams can assess that you’re a brilliant student, but it doesn’t always give a college awarding an academic or professional degree the confidence you’ve actually been taught all the necessary things,” Dr. Poe explains.
Anecdotally, he adds, community colleges and trade schools more widely accept CLEP exams.
“If it’s a situation where a student needs to check the box on a course, I think the option can work for them. For example, should a student want to become an electrician, an institution may be OK with allowing their biology CLEP exam credit because it’s more important for them to develop other skills versus, say, a nursing student who needs that deep knowledge before practicing on a patient.”
Before deciding whether to take a CLEP exam, you should also consider:
- Your end goal
- The minimum scores the college accepts
- How many credits will be awarded for the test
- The maximum number of hours you earn
CLEP Exams vs. Other Accelerated College Credit Programs
Other, more widely accepted options to earn post-secondary credit before graduation include:
- Dual enrollment
- Advanced Placement (AP) courses
Here’s how these programs compare to CLEP exams:
Dual enrollment
Dual enrollment entails taking classes at a local community college or university, or online. With Portage Learning’s self-directed courses, students can complete work on their schedule. Credits earned from the accredited institution transfer to over 2,800 colleges and universities nationwide.
Some students prefer dual enrollment because it awards credit on their overall performance rather than a single exam. Dual enrollment can provide access to subjects in their area of academic interest, too.
It can impact your high school experience though since you may spend part of the day at another institution. You should also understand:
- Out-of-pocket expense: Besides tuition, students must pay for textbooks and other fees. Courses at Portage Learning cost $223 per credit, which includes all materials.
- Perception: The quality of dual enrollment courses depends on the institution and instructor, which admissions officers may weigh when deciding whether to accept the credit earned.
AP courses
AP courses expose you to college-level classes through your high school classroom.
At the end of the school year, you take an exam and must score at least a three or higher on it to receive credit.
Students who prefer to stay within the high school class structure and schedule prefer this option. Other advantages include:
- Stronger applications: For many institutions, AP courses indicate ambition and college readiness.
- Academic rigor: Standardized course materials and exams provide a clear, national benchmark of mastery.
- Low cost: Students pay $99 per test.
Keep in mind not every high school offers AP courses. The ability to earn credit also depends on one exam performance, which can be stressful.
Preparing for a CLEP Exam
Studying can be helpful, but those with prior knowledge or proficiency may benefit most from the CLEP exam.
The not-for-profit organization that administers CLEP exams, College Board, offers numerous free and paid resources, such as study guides, video lectures, and test-taking tips. You can even review items by exam topic and get familiar with the testing platform, ensuring you master the material.
The Final Thought: Preparing for Your Future
As the cost of earning a college degree rises, gaining credits in high school can be a smart way to save money and time. And multiple options to do that exist.
Taking a CLEP exam may be the right strategy for some students. Others could benefit more from another accelerated program or a combination of approaches.
Ultimately, you know your higher education goals best so trust that you know how to achieve them.
(Interested in exploring other ways to get ahead? Take online, asynchronous courses with Portage Learning. More than 2,800 colleges and universities accept credits earned through the accredited institution. Begin your journey today.)
Still looking for answers?
Check out the FAQs about this article below.
