What is the CLEP exam? A guide to earning college credit 

Adult learners are typically already equipped with knowledge, whether through work, study or simply living life. It only makes sense, then, that you should get credit for what you already know. A CLEP exam may help you do just that — and may save you time and money down the road.

Here’s what you need to know about CLEP exams and how they might help your educational goals.

A CLEP exam is a standardized, computer-based test that lets students demonstrate college-level knowledge in a particular subject and potentially earn college credit.

Administered by the College Board, the College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) offers 34 introductory college-level exams in a variety of subjects.

Put simply: Instead of taking a full university course in a subject you may already know, you take an exam to demonstrate your knowledge. If your score meets your college’s specific requirements, you can receive college credit or satisfy a course requirement.

More than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities grant credit for qualifying CLEP scores. Each institution determines its own CLEP policies.

From choosing the right exams to consulting the fine print about requirements, taking a CLEP exam involves several steps. Here’s how to make CLEP exams work for you:

1.     Check your college’s CLEP policy. Before you take an exam, confirm that your school accepts CLEP credits.

2.     Choose an exam. Pinpoint which CLEP exams apply to your specific degree program.

3.     Review credit requirements. Determine the minimum score required to get credit and how many credits you can earn for taking the test.

4.     Register for the exam. Sign up for the appropriate CLEP test through College Board.
You can take the exam year-round at one of the more than 2,000 test sites worldwide, or online with remote proctoring (if eligible). The total testing time is 125 minutes.

5.     Prepare for and take the exam. Review the subject material and study guides to prep for the computer-based test.

6.     Send your scores. Ask the test provider to send your CLEP results to your college.

7.     Have your credits evaluated. Your college will determine whether your score qualifies for credit and how that credit applies toward your degree.

It’s important to review your college’s CLEP policies before registering for an exam. Each school has its own criteria regarding CLEP, including which specific exams qualify, minimum scores required, number of credits awarded and whether those credits fulfill particular degree requirements.

It depends. While you can earn three or more credits per CLEP exam, the exact number is based on numerous factors: which exam you take, your score, your college’s CLEP policies and degree requirements, and other coursework you may have taken.

The American Council on Education recommends a score of 50 in order to grant CLEP credit. Individual colleges make the final decision in choosing which exams to accept, minimum scores required and credits earned.

You can choose CLEP in a variety of subjects — literature, science, business, world languages, history, social sciences, composition, mathematics and more. Typically, it’s applied to general education or elective requirements of a degree program. Some examples include Spanish, U.S. history, biology, college composition, psychology, college algebra and introductory business courses.

Visit College Board’s CLEP exam list for available topics.

A nonprofit called Modern States can help you get test-day ready with your choice of over 30 free, self-paced online courses. It also offers CLEP exam vouchers for eligible test takers who complete its course requirements.

Keep in mind that completing a Modern States course doesn’t earn you college credit. Whether your CLEP exam score qualifies for credit depends on your college, so check its CLEP policy before choosing a course or registering for an exam.

Perhaps the biggest benefit is the chance to earn college credit for what you already know. While you have been out there doing life, you may have gained knowledge through work, independent study or other life experiences.

CLEP lets you demonstrate that knowledge. Depending on your college’s policy, a qualifying score may satisfy certain requirements and reduce the number of courses you need to take—potentially saving you time and tuition as you work toward your degree.

University of Phoenix focuses on the needs of adult learners. Part of that dedication is recognizing that students sometimes come to the classroom with college-level knowledge that may qualify for credit.

To that end, University of Phoenix recognizes CLEP as one of several national testing programs. Qualifying CLEP scores may earn college credit, depending on University policies and how the particular credit applies to your degree program.

Before you register for a CLEP exam, review the current University of Phoenix National Testing Providers information for a list of accepted exams, required scores and course equivalencies for your program. And keep in mind: CLEP is just one potential path to transfer credits. Talk to your enrollment advisor about your specific options. 

Whether a CLEP exam is right for you depends on your current knowledge level, your degree requirements and your college’s CLEP policies.

To decide whether you should take a CLEP exam, ask yourself the following:

• Does my college accept this CLEP exam and what score does the college require?
• Would the credit apply toward my degree?
• Do I already have substantial knowledge of the subject?
• How much prep would I need?
• Would earning this credit reduce the courses, time or tuition needed to finish my degree?

If you’re a current or potential University of Phoenix student, review the National Testing Providers page and talk with your advisor to see how CLEP credit might apply to your specific program.

A CLEP exam is a College Board test that lets adult learners demonstrate college-level knowledge they’ve acquired through independent study, work experience or life situations.

After registering through College Board, you can use the search feature on its website to see which testing location is closest to you. This may be at a high school, college, university, military base or another independent testing organization. Then simply send your score to your college for credit evaluation.

Yes, but your college needs to accept the exam, and your score needs to meet your school’s requirements. Check with your school on whether the credit will count toward your degree.

The typical minimum passing score suggested by the American Council on Education is 50, but individual colleges set their own score requirements.

A qualifying score could earn you three or more college credits, but the exact number varies from school to school and from exam to exam. Before taking a CLEP exam, review your college’s CLEP policy. 

The current exam fee is $97, plus any test center or remote proctoring administration fees.

Start with the College Board, which offers official practice questions, resources and exam descriptions to help you get started and identify knowledge gaps. 

The Modern States program includes free, self-paced CLEP preparation courses and exam-fee vouchers for eligible learners.

Yes. University of Phoenix recognizes CLEP and may award credit for qualifying scores under University policies and your program requirements.

They may, subject to University review. Talk with your advisor about how the credit could apply to your program.