CLEP

College-Level Examination Program
(CLEP)

The College Board’s College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) has been the most widely trusted credit-by-examination program for over 50 years, accepted by 2,900 colleges and universities and administered in more than 2,000 test centers.

This rigorous program allows students from a wide range of ages and backgrounds to demonstrate their mastery of introductory college-level material and earn college credit. Students can earn credit for what they already know by getting qualifying scores on any of the 34 examinations.

While CLEP is sponsored by the College Board, only colleges may grant credit toward a degree. Not all colleges have the same CLEP policies—some colleges accept credit for a few exams, while others accept credit for all of them. A college often grants the same amount of credit to a student who earns satisfactory scores on a CLEP exam as it does for a student who successfully completes the related course.

CLEP Exams

Composition and Literature

American Literature

Analyzing and Intepreting Literature

College Composition

College Composition Modular

English Literature

Humanities

World Languages

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

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

Biology

Chemistry

Natural Sciences

College Mathematics

College Algebra

Precalculus

Calculus

Business

Financial Accounting

Information Systems

Introductory Business Law

Principles of Management

Principles of Marketing

Benefits

• Earn college credits at a low cost: the CLEP exam fee is $89. The testing center may also charge a fee, usually between $15-$25. If meeting the minimum score requirements, colleges will grant credit equivalent to the same as taking a course at their institution (usually 3 credits per class). A typical college course can cost anywhere from $400 to several thousand dollars.

• Students may earn college credits without taking a specific course. They are able to demonstrate their knowledge and skills acquired at any time and in any manner and earn college credit for it.

• You may take these exams at any time. The closest testing center is Lincoln Land Community College. You will need to make an appointment but they are open nearly every day school is in session.

• You may take these exams after you graduate from high school, while you are enrolled in college, and even as an adult.

Be Aware

• Not EVERY college grants credit for EVERY CLEP exam.

• Some colleges do not grant credit for any CLEP exams (the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign for example).

• The recommended minimum score to grant credit is 50 (out of a possible 80) but some schools have higher standards.

• Each college should have a place on their website which explains their policies for granting CLEP credit with minimum scores and the equivalent courses at their institution.

• Most schools will accept up to 30 college credits earned through CLEP...again, always consult a college representative or their handbook for more specific information.