CLEP Frequently Asked Questions

CLEP (College-Level Examination Program) is a credit-by-examination program administered by the College Board that allows you to earn college credit by demonstrating mastery of introductory college-level material. The program has been helping students earn college credit since 1967 and is accepted by over 2,900 colleges and universities. CLEP offers 34 exams across five subject areas: History and Social Sciences, Composition and Literature, Science and Mathematics, Business, and World Languages. Each exam is designed to assess knowledge equivalent to a one-semester introductory college course, and passing scores typically earn you 3-12 semester hours of credit depending on the subject.

Anyone can take CLEP exams regardless of age or educational background. There are no prerequisites or eligibility requirements to register for and take a CLEP exam. High school students often take CLEP exams to get a head start on college credits before graduation. Adults returning to education use CLEP to earn credit for knowledge gained through work experience, military service, or independent study. Current college students take CLEP to accelerate their degree completion or fulfill general education requirements more efficiently. International students can also take CLEP exams, though they should verify their intended institution accepts CLEP credit.

There are currently 34 CLEP examinations available across five subject areas. History and Social Sciences includes exams like American Government, History of the United States I and II, Human Growth and Development, Introduction to Educational Psychology, Introductory Psychology, Introductory Sociology, Principles of Macroeconomics, Principles of Microeconomics, Social Sciences and History, and Western Civilization I and II. Composition and Literature covers American Literature, Analyzing and Interpreting Literature, College Composition, College Composition Modular, English Literature, and Humanities. Science and Mathematics includes Biology, Calculus, Chemistry, College Algebra, College Mathematics, Natural Sciences, and Precalculus. Business exams include Financial Accounting, Information Systems, Introductory Business Law, and Principles of Management and Marketing. World Languages offers French, German, and Spanish at various levels.

CLEP exam difficulty varies based on your background knowledge and preparation. The exams are designed to assess knowledge equivalent to a college introductory course, so students with relevant coursework, work experience, or dedicated study typically find them manageable. Statistics show that about 70% of test-takers pass CLEP exams, though this varies significantly by subject. Language exams tend to have higher pass rates among heritage speakers, while science and math exams can be more challenging without recent coursework. The key to success is honest self-assessment of your knowledge level, targeted preparation for weak areas, and familiarity with the exam format through practice tests.

Most CLEP exams are 90 minutes long and consist entirely of multiple-choice questions. However, there are important exceptions. The College Composition exam is 120 minutes and includes two essays in addition to multiple-choice questions. The College Composition Modular exam is 90 minutes of multiple-choice only, with institutions optionally adding their own essay component. Some language exams may have different timing structures. You should verify the exact format and duration for your specific exam on the College Board website. The timer begins after you complete the tutorial and answer any demographic questions, so the full appointment time at the testing center is typically longer than the exam itself.

The CLEP examination fee is $93 per exam as of 2024-2025. This fee is paid to the College Board when you register. Additionally, most testing centers charge a sitting fee that typically ranges from $20 to $40, though some charge more. Military service members and eligible veterans can take CLEP exams for free through the DANTES program, which covers both the exam fee and sitting fee at participating test centers. Some colleges waive or reduce sitting fees for their enrolled students. When budgeting for CLEP, remember to factor in study materials if needed, though many free resources are available including practice tests on the College Board website.

To register for a CLEP exam, first create an account on the College Board website at clep.collegeboard.org. After creating your account, search for a testing center near you using the test center search tool. Contact the testing center directly to schedule your appointment, as availability varies by location. Pay the $93 exam fee through your College Board account before your test date. On test day, bring valid government-issued photo ID that matches your registration name exactly. Some testing centers require additional steps like creating a testing center account, so follow any specific instructions provided by your chosen location.

CLEP exam fees are generally non-refundable, but there are some options if you need to reschedule or cancel. If you haven't yet taken the exam, you can usually reschedule with your testing center without losing your exam fee payment, though policies vary by location. The $93 exam registration is valid for six months from the purchase date, giving you flexibility to reschedule if needed. If extenuating circumstances prevent you from testing, contact both the testing center and College Board customer service to discuss your options. Testing center sitting fees have their own cancellation policies that vary by location.

Several groups can access discounted or free CLEP exams. Active duty military, National Guard, and Reserve members can take CLEP exams completely free through the DANTES program. Some veterans may also qualify for funded exams through VA education benefits. Certain states offer CLEP fee assistance programs for residents. Some colleges subsidize CLEP fees for enrolled students or prospective students. High school students in some districts have access to funded CLEP testing through dual enrollment programs. Check with your state education department, intended college, or military education office to explore available funding options before paying out of pocket.

CLEP exams use a scaled scoring system ranging from 20 to 80. Your raw score (number of correct answers) is converted to this scaled score using a statistical process that accounts for slight variations in exam difficulty across different test forms. The American Council on Education (ACE) recommends a credit-granting score for each exam, which is typically 50 for most subjects. This score represents the performance level of students who earn a C in the equivalent college course. There is no penalty for wrong answers, so you should attempt every question. For exams with essays, your essay is scored by trained readers and combined with your multiple-choice score for a composite result.

The ACE-recommended passing score for most CLEP exams is 50 on the 20-80 scale. However, individual colleges set their own credit-granting policies and may require higher scores. Some institutions require a 55 or 60 for credit, particularly for certain subjects or to earn a higher grade notation on your transcript. A few competitive schools may require even higher scores. Before taking a CLEP exam, verify your intended institution's score requirements through their website, registrar's office, or admissions department. The College Board provides a searchable database of institution policies, though you should confirm current requirements directly with the school.

For most CLEP exams, you receive your unofficial score immediately upon completing the exam at the testing center. The score appears on your computer screen after you submit, and you receive a printed score report before leaving. This immediate feedback lets you know whether you've passed. Exams with essay components (College Composition) require additional time for grading, typically 2-3 weeks. Official score reports are available through your College Board account and can be sent to institutions you designate. Score reports sent to colleges typically arrive within 1-2 weeks of your request.

Yes, you can retake a CLEP exam if you don't achieve your desired score. However, you must wait three months from your previous test date before retaking the same exam. There's no limit to how many times you can attempt a particular exam, though you must pay the full exam fee for each attempt. Use the waiting period for focused preparation on your weak areas. Consider what went wrong on your first attempt - was it content knowledge gaps, time management, or test anxiety? Address these specific issues in your preparation for the retake.

CLEP scores themselves don't expire and remain on your College Board record indefinitely. You can request official score reports be sent to institutions at any time, regardless of when you took the exam. However, individual colleges may have policies about how old a score can be and still be accepted for credit. Some institutions only accept scores from the past 5-10 years, reasoning that knowledge in certain fields may become outdated. If you took CLEP exams many years ago, verify with your intended college that they'll accept scores from that time period before assuming you'll receive credit.

The amount of credit earned per CLEP exam varies by subject and institution. Most exams earn 3 semester hours of credit, equivalent to a typical one-semester course. Some exams can earn 6 or more credits - for example, certain language exams may award up to 12 credits if your score demonstrates advanced proficiency. The maximum credit from CLEP varies by institution, with some schools capping total CLEP credit at 30-60 hours while others have no limit. Credit is typically awarded as elective credit or to fulfill specific degree requirements, depending on the exam subject and your degree program.

About 2,900 colleges and universities accept CLEP credit, but policies vary significantly. Most public universities and community colleges accept CLEP, often with generous credit policies. Many private institutions also accept CLEP, though some highly selective schools do not or have very limited acceptance. Each institution determines which exams they accept, what scores are required, and how credit applies to degree requirements. Before investing time and money in CLEP preparation, verify that your target institution accepts the specific exam and that the credit will apply toward your degree in a meaningful way.

You can send official CLEP score reports to colleges through your College Board account at clep.collegeboard.org. When registering for an exam, you can designate one institution to receive your scores for free. Additional score reports cost $20 each. Log into your account, select the score sending option, search for your institution, and complete the request. Score reports typically arrive at institutions within 1-2 weeks. You can send scores to institutions at any time, not just when you take the exam. Make sure to use your institution's correct College Board code to ensure your scores reach the right office.

In most cases, CLEP credits are recorded as transfer credit or credit by examination and don't carry a letter grade or factor into your GPA calculation. Your transcript will typically show the course equivalent and credit hours earned, sometimes with a notation like "CR" (credit) or "P" (pass) rather than a letter grade. Some institutions may award a grade based on your score level, but this is less common. The impact on your GPA can actually be beneficial since CLEP allows you to skip introductory courses where you might earn lower grades while still receiving credit. Check with your specific institution about their transcript notation policy.

CLEP credits can transfer between institutions, but transferability depends on both schools' policies. If your original college accepted CLEP credit and recorded it on your transcript, the receiving institution evaluates it as part of your transfer credit review. However, the new school applies their own CLEP policy - they may accept the credit, require a higher score than you achieved, or not accept that particular exam at all. In some cases, retaking a CLEP exam after transferring and sending scores directly to the new institution may be more effective than trying to transfer credit. Always verify the receiving institution's CLEP policy before assuming your credits will transfer.

Most CLEP exams consist of approximately 80-120 multiple-choice questions to be completed in 90 minutes. Questions typically have four answer choices. The College Composition exam is unique in including two essay sections along with multiple-choice questions, extending the total time to 120 minutes. Some questions may be experimental items being tested for future exams and don't count toward your score, though you won't know which ones these are. The computer-based format allows you to flag questions for review, skip and return to questions, and see your progress throughout the exam.

Calculator policies vary by CLEP exam. For College Mathematics and College Algebra, an on-screen calculator is provided within the testing software - you cannot bring your own calculator. For Calculus, no calculator is provided or permitted; problems are designed to be solved without one. Science exams like Biology and Chemistry also don't permit calculators. The College Board website specifies whether each exam provides a calculator, allows you to bring one, or prohibits calculators entirely. Using an unauthorized calculator during testing could result in score cancellation, so verify the policy for your specific exam.

Effective CLEP preparation depends on your current knowledge level. Start by taking a practice test to assess your baseline and identify weak areas. Review the official exam description on the College Board website to understand what content is covered and in what proportions. Focus your study time on topics where you scored poorly on practice tests rather than reviewing material you already know well. Use a variety of resources including textbooks, online courses, practice questions, and flashcards. Most successful test-takers spend 20-50 hours preparing, though this varies widely based on prior knowledge. Take timed practice tests to build familiarity with the exam pace and format.

Many resources exist for CLEP preparation. The College Board offers free study resources including exam descriptions, sample questions, and a study guide for each exam. REA, Peterson's, and other publishers produce comprehensive CLEP prep books with content review and practice tests. Modern States Education Alliance offers free online courses for all CLEP exams through modernstates.org, including textbooks and practice tests, plus vouchers that cover exam fees for students who complete their courses. Khan Academy provides free content aligned with many CLEP subjects. Flying Prep offers AI-powered study tools and practice tests specifically designed for CLEP preparation.

Study time varies dramatically based on your background knowledge. Someone with recent college coursework or extensive work experience in a subject might need only 10-20 hours to review and familiarize themselves with the exam format. A test-taker learning the material from scratch might need 50-100+ hours of study. Most successful candidates fall somewhere in between, spending 25-40 hours over 2-6 weeks. Take a diagnostic practice test early to gauge your starting point. If you're scoring near the passing threshold before any preparation, you likely need less study time. If you're far below passing, plan for more extensive preparation.

CLEP exams are administered at testing centers throughout the United States and at military installations worldwide. Most testing centers are located on college campuses, though some are at independent testing facilities. Use the test center search tool on the College Board website to find locations near you. Testing center availability, hours, and appointment slots vary significantly by location. Urban areas typically have multiple options while rural areas may have limited choices. If no testing center is convenient to your location, some people travel to take exams or coordinate testing during trips to areas with more options.

Currently, CLEP exams cannot be taken online or at home. All CLEP exams must be taken at authorized testing centers with in-person proctoring. This ensures standardized testing conditions and security. The College Board has maintained this in-person requirement to protect the integrity of the exams and the value of CLEP credit. If traveling to a testing center is difficult, check if any testing centers in your area offer weekend or evening appointments, or plan to test during travel to a more convenient location.

Bring valid, government-issued photo identification (driver's license, passport, state ID, or military ID) with a name that exactly matches your CLEP registration. Some testing centers require a secondary form of ID. Bring your CLEP registration ticket or confirmation number. Do not bring cell phones, smart watches, notes, books, food, drinks, bags, or any electronic devices - these must be stored in a locker during testing. Dress comfortably in layers as room temperatures vary. The testing center provides scratch paper and pencils. Arrive 15-30 minutes early to complete check-in procedures.

Testing centers have strict policies about arrival times, and arriving late may result in being turned away and forfeiting your exam fee. Most centers require arrival 15-30 minutes before your scheduled appointment time for check-in procedures. If you arrive after your appointment time has passed, you likely won't be admitted and will need to reschedule (possibly losing your exam fee depending on how late and the center's policies). If you're running late, call the testing center immediately to explain the situation. In some cases, they may be able to accommodate you if they haven't given your slot away, but this isn't guaranteed.