CLEP Exams

Has anyone had their children take CLEP Exams? Someone relayed to me this was a good way to save money and time for the student. Im curious of others experiences with CLEP. Thank you

One of mynkids took a CLEP exam. You need to check what the needed score is for getting credit for these courses at EACH college yo kid is applying to. This varies.

Also, most colleges do not allow CLEP exams to replace courses required in a major. Check to make sure yours does.

In my kid’s case, it was an elective course that was needed formgraduation, but was not in her major. But she missed the cutoff by 5 points. If she had passed, it wouldn’t have saved us any money (as she was still taking a full courseload) but it would have saved her some time that term.

My highschool sophomore took the Biology CLEP exam this summer and passed. It will fulfill a required science coures at many of the collges he’s thinking of eventually applying to. (he looked up General Education requirements on the schools’ websites before deciding to take the test) He isn’t planning on majoring in a STEM field.

I took CLEP spanish test after four years of high school spanish. I enjoyed the classes and got As and Bs as a junior and senior - a slightly above average student. I took the AP test and nailed it. Earned 12 College credits! Smartest financial decision I made with my education, Give CLEP a try

My daughter took the German CLEP test which placed her one class higher than the German AP test. Most school offer similar credit for AP’s and CLEP.

I am amazed at how obscure CLEP is to most kids graduating today. I had 12 credits under my belt before I moved into my freshman dorm. It’s a no-brainer. So confused why it is not pushed more.

I didn’t realize CLEP tests still existed. Many years ago I tested out of 1/3 of my college credit requirements through CLEP tests. I never had to take a single math or science course and only one literature class. I was able to focus on my major and double minors. I graduated in 2 1/2 years, which with law school in the future was a big help financially.

Eons ago I tested out of a full year of college. It allowed me to take smaller class loads and focus totally on my major.
Well worth it.

Yes, D16 took the CLEP exam for Spanish. She was not in AP Spanish in high school. When she took the foreign language placement test at her university, she placed in a high level of Spanish, but did not get credit for the lower level Spanish courses. The CLEP test allowed her to get credits.

I am going to fully encourage my son to take CLEP exams because he wants to spend as little time in college as possible:-) They are a great idea and save time and money.

Do y’all think it’s so unknown because the college-university-education machine doesn’t want kids to know about such a cheap way of getting college credit? I honestly thought it had been eliminated because I’ve seen nothing about it.

After my son took his long gap, he took a couple of CLEP exams and placed out.

I’ve taken about 12 CLEPs since August. What a well kept secret.

Ok, I’m clueless. What is this CLEP exam you are talking about ?

I took some CLEP exams in my 50’s and earned 15 credits, saved about $10k and more than half a year. I could take more…They aren’t terribly hard.

My son CLEP’ed out of American History 1 (through 1877?). Wish we had done more of them honestly.

At UF they will only take CLEP credits through December of your first year (at least that is what I was told).

@svcamom They’re online tests offered through collegeboard that will give you either 3 or 6 college credits in that subject. It’s about a 100 question multiple choice exam. So you could take a CLEP American Literature test and then not have to take American Literature in college. You’d still get the credits on your transcript. Essentially you’re testing out of the class. The tests are $80 and can be studied for very easily, so it’s a real win-win.

https://clep.collegeboard.org/

(Also, they’re not “online” in the sense of “take them at home”, but rather you take them on a computer at the testing center.)

I think they are a great alternative for kids who took a rigorous high school curriculum that was not officially AP. You can take them anytime of the year too. And for kids who make an AP score below the cutoff, there is frequently a CLEP exam they can attempt instead. Since they are both owned by the College Board, many schools take either.

Another well kept secret are the Dantes exams. Similar to CLEP, they are targeted but not restricted to military personnel.

Some schools also award credit for SAT Subject tests.

When I entered college in 1976, I had 24 CLEP credits and didn’t have to take any math or science classes. It is my understanding that colleges now only allow a maximum of 30 credits. My middle son had 39 credits between CLEP and AP but could only use 30.

I am going to encourage S17 to take some CLEP tests because he wants to study theater tech and psychology. Double majors are tough with theater programs (if he gets into a BFA) so if he can get rid of some gen eds with CLEP, it would be worthwhile. I am willing to pay for his math tutor to work with him so he can hoepfully CLEP out of math classes, which to my mind are a total waste of time and money for a dyscalculic person who is interested in theater and psych.