If you have a vast knowledge of one subject, you may be thinking about taking CLEP exams. What is CLEP? This stands for college-level examination programs that provide over 30 subjects for someone to test for a tester to earn college credit. You may be wondering if it’s worth it or how you can take the first steps in taking these exams. Each exam is $89 to take and can last anywhere from 90 to 120 minutes to take.
There is no limit to when you can take these exams. If you are not yet enrolled in college but want to start earning college credit or enrolled or even after you’ve graduated, you need the credit. This is a way to get college credits quickly and showcase your knowledge. Keep reading to find out more about the CLEP exams offered.
What Are CLEP Exam Subjects You Can Choose From?
There are over 34 college exams to choose from, but you will need to check the institution's CLEP policy to understand how many credits you can get. Each college will have various rules on how many credits you receive and which exams are accepted. Here are some categories you can choose from.
History and Social Sciences
There will be around 120 questions for these tests that need to be answered in 90 minutes. If you have an interest in history and want to save money by skipping college classes. Here are some of the tests to choose from in this category.
- American Government
- History of the U.S. I & II
- Western Civilization I & II
- Human Growth and Development
- Intro to Educational Psychology
- Introductory Psychology
- Introductory Sociology
- Principles of Macroeconomics
- Principles of Microeconomics
- Social Sciences and History
If you take the psychology course, you may be able to skip to the next level of class along with the other exams offered. Each test helps evaluate your level of knowledge, and if you pass can save you thousands of dollars instead of needing to attend classes every day for credit.
Composition and Literature
If you already know tons about American Literature, you may not need to take a class to get the credits. If you can pass the test, it is a good way to cut down class hours. There are six exams in this category.
- College Composition
- College Composition Modular
- American Literature
- Analyzing and Interpreting Literature
- English Literature
- Humanities
Choosing these exams will help you in your college journey, and there are tons of online resources to help you study. These exams can be great for high school kids or home school kids that need to practice for these credits.
Science and Math
For some individuals spending a day in a biology or math class isn’t their college dream. There are science and math CLEP exams you can take to bypass these classes. Under this category there are 7 exams you can choose from.
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Natural Sciences
- College Mathematics
- College Algebra
- Precalculus
- Calculus
Calculus tends to be the hardest CLEP exam for many students or testers. The good news about this subject is there are plenty of course materials.
Business
If you have a knack for business and tons of experience running one, you may be able to skip college classes and earn credit from your experience. There are five exams you can choose from and plenty of study materials.
- Financial Accounting
- Information Systems
- Introductory Business Law
- Principles of Management
- Principles of Marketing
Before you decide on one of these exams you should always ensure that your college accepts these exams and you can use the credits.
World Languages
Having a knack for a foreign language, being fluent, or taking classes in high school may mean you have the capacity to pass the language CLEP exams. There are four exams to choose from.
- French 1 & 2
- German 1 & 2
- Spanish Language 1 & 2
- Spanish with writing 1 & 2
This may be an easy way to gain credits for something you already know well.
Why Choose These Exams?
There are over 2,900 colleges that accept CLEP exam credits. This means that before you start attending college, you can bypass these classes and save thousands of dollars. You can take as many CLEP exams as your center will allow. Each testing center may have a limit on the amount you can take. The college board does not have a limit on the number of CLEP exams you can take. This means as long as the credit is accepted, you can take as many exams before furthering your education.
How To Register For CLEP Exams
Once you have started researching the tests you can take, you will then need to research if a college accepts them. After choosing a college you will need to study for the CLEP exam. Next you will need to figure out how to apply and register for the CLEP exam. Here are the steps you can take to register for the exams. You can register for an account with the College Board which will let you search out testing facilities and dates. Here are some things you can do to start.
- Research the credit policy for your institution
- Select the CLEP exam you wish to take
- Register for the exam
- Get prepared before the test
- Take the final test
All of this will help you enroll and find the right test you wish to take. Keep in mind that tests are run throughout the year in the US and internationally.
What Is The Best Way To Prepare for a CLEP
Studying for CLEP exams does not have to be expensive; you can use tons of websites to study and get prepared. You can use this site to find the area you are looking to study. Practice as many times as you want to ensure you know how the questions will be asked and to take your time understanding what is being asked. This will help you feel prepared to the fullest, and it is well worth the investment.
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