Introduction to CLEP Exams

Introduction to CLEP Exams

• CLEP exams are the only official exams administered via computer at test centers and remotely.
• The guide is for adults enrolling in college, high school students, college students, military personnel, professionals, and individuals wanting to learn college-level material outside of college.
• CLEP exams offer individuals to demonstrate college-level material mastery via exams assessing knowledge taught in college courses.
• The guide explains how CLEP helps earn college credit for acquired learning.
• It contains test descriptions, sample questions, and study tips.
• The guide includes an answer key, and information on interpreting scores.

CLEP Study Materials

• CLEP preparation materials are available from libraries, bookstores, and educational websites.
• CLEP exams reflect introductory college course material.
• Check with local colleges about texts used in CLEP exam subjects.
• College Board provides a CLEP Official Study Guide and individual exam guides to understand question types and tips.
• Private prep companies exist; some are legitimate.

American Council on Education (ACE)

• Contact ACE with general continuing/adult education questions.
• ACE can provide advice and information.
• ACE is a coordinating body for higher education institutions
• They offer leadership on higher education issues
• They influence public policy via advocacy, research, and program initiatives

College-Level Examination Program

• CLEP exams are given at 2,000+ test centers nationwide or remotely.
• About 3,000 higher education instutions award college credit for good test performance.
• The CLEP program is for self-directed students showing introductory-level college material mastery for academic success.
• Credit is earned for existing knowledge by achieving qualifying scores on any of the 34 exams.

CLEP Exam Material

• CLEP exams cover introductory-level courses' material at colleges/universities.
• Faculty review exams for relevant, current material coverage.
• Only colleges grant credit toward a degree, despite College Board sponsorship.
• Contact the college directly to learn about individual CLEP policies.
• When taking a CLEP exam, request a score report to be sent to the college that you are attending or planning to attend.
• The college decides whether to award credit or grant course exemption after evaluating the score.
• A long-standing policy states that an exam cannot be retaken within a certain wait period.
• DANTES does not fund CLEP retesting, however, personal funds can be used.

CLEP Exams

• CLEP exams cover undergraduate courses taught in the initial two college years.
• Courses can be for 3+ semester hours in math, history, social sciences, English, science, humanities.
• Institutions can grant credit for specific courses or general academic areas based on exam scores.
• The credit is equivalent to those awarded when successfully completing the course.
• CLEP exams are computer-administered, around 90 minutes in length, apart from particular exceptions.
• Specifically, College Composition, is around 125 minutes, and Spanish with Writing; is around 110 minutes.
• Questions are primarily multiple-choice; but other question types include numeric answers, shading, or ordering.
• Question types include zone, shade, grid, scale, fraction, histogram, and order match.
• College Composition has a mandatory essay which must be typed.
• Spanish with Writing has two writing tasks for interpersonal and presentational communication evaluation.

Exam Locations

• CLEP exams are administered at 2,000+ test centers or internationally, or through remote proctoring.
• Log into My Account at clepportal.collegeboard.org to create accounts, pay for CLEP exams, and buy study materials.
• Online registration can be completed at any time.
• Contact the selected test center after paying to schedule the CLEP exam.
• If remote proctoring is elected, an account and appointment will be created online through CLEP’s partner.
• Call 800-257-9558 for test center location assistance.

College Credit from ACE

• The American Council on Education's College Credit Recommendation Service (ACE CREDIT) periodically assesses CLEP processes.
• ACE recommends a uniform credit-granting score of 50 across subjects.
• Level-2 recommendations exist for world language exams.
• Score scale for each CLEP exam is decided by experts to represent necessary student performance for college credit.
• The American Council on Education seeks national higher education leadership along with key issues, programs, and public policy.

Score Reporting

• Seeing the CLEP score immediately is available, except for certain exams.
• These particular exceptions include College Composition and Spanish with Writing
• The scores for these exams are found online two to three weeks after the specified exam date.
• Score is automatically sent to the institution.
• A candidate copy of the score is received before leaving the test center.
• If testing at a designated score recipient institution, test results have immediate test center access.
• CLEP is accessible through My Account, by selecting the test scores.
• After the test is taken, the scores are accessible online within one business day, except for certain exams.
• These specific exceptions include College Composition and Spanish with Writing.
• Selecting an option exists to prevent the viewing, before the exam is scored.
• Canceled scores will not be reported.
• Waiting is required before retesting.
• Transcripts can be sent for a fee.
• Approval is required.

Approaching Colleges About CLEP

• The following includes step-by-step instructions outlining CLEP policy at particular academic institutions.
• Adults and other nontraditional students returning to college often require aid.
• Numerous colleges have specified divisions.

Academic Credit

1. Obtain, or access virtually, the overall literature and a carbon copy of the CLEP policy for the involved university.
2. If previously unaccepted to any college currently evaluating, oversee that acceptance criteria standards.
3. Determine all of the university policies.
4. Use as rapidly as appropriate.

Academic Advising

• Meet academic advisers for consulting reasons, and also avoid any necessary courses.