General Education courses — often called Gen Eds — are the core college classes every student must complete, no matter their future major. These courses build the academic foundation colleges expect, including strong writing, math skills, scientific thinking, and critical analysis. Subjects like English, math, and biology aren’t “extras” — they are the starting point of nearly every college degree. By focusing on Gen Eds early, homeschool students aren’t guessing what colleges want; they are working directly toward the same requirements college freshmen complete in their first year. Gen Ed Acceleration helps students meet these expectations confidently and efficiently, while giving parents clarity and reassurance that learning is aligned with real college standards. 

A CLEP exam is not a high-school test.

It is a national, standardized college-level exam created by the College Board — the same organization behind SAT and AP Exams.

Most colleges require students to complete General Education (Gen Ed) prerequisites before or alongside higher-level courses. These foundational requirements ensure students have strong skills in writing, math, scientific reasoning, and critical thinking. The most common Gen Ed areas include English composition, mathematics, natural sciences, and social sciences or humanities. 

CLEP exams align directly with these prerequisites — for example, College Composition for English, College Algebra or College Mathematics for math, Biology or Natural Sciences for science, and Introductory Psychology, Sociology, or English Literature for social science and humanities. 

Passing these CLEP exams allows students to demonstrate college-level readiness and, at many U.S. colleges, earn credit for courses typically taken in the first year.