In recent years, CLEP Exams have grown increasingly popular as a way to gain college credits without attending class. CLEP, also known as College-Level Exam Preparation, is a program in which individuals take an exam on material that they learned through independent study. Designed by the College Board as a series of standardized tests, CLEP is an alternative to taking undergraduate college courses, which allows individuals to demonstrate college-level achievement and still receive full credit.
CLEP offers 33 exams in five subject areas, a majority being general education classes. The material includes subjects in History & Social Sciences, Composition & Literature, Science & Mathematics, Business, and World Languages. Most exams are designed to correspond with one-semester courses; however, some are alternatives for full-year or two-year courses.
In order to prepare for a CLEP examination, one must first choose a subject. Most universities prefer it be a subject in which the student has not already taken. Then one must purchase the CLEP test book, which is available at bookstores or online. The book is an official study guide as it includes full length practice tests, answers, and reviews. Most suggest at least 20 hours of studying before the exam in order to feel fully prepared.
Any student is eligible to take a CLEP exam i.e. college students, adults who are returning to school, or high school students wanting to advance to their sophomore level once attending college. It is a practical solution for gaining credit for someone in a hurry to earn a degree or to reduce the amount of courses needed.
The amount of credits received depends on the course chosen or may depend on the university. Primarily, the exams are approximately three credits, sometimes six. For World Languages, credits may be six to 12 credits. Credits depend on university policy and may vary.
WCU students are eligible to take CLEP examinations as part of Experiential Learning or Life Learning Experience. Only degree credit is rewarded when students achieve qualifying scores, which are in the 50th percentile or above. Examinations are given every month of each semester except for December and are only given on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The exam is computer based and all questions are multiple choice.
Like any college course, there is a small fee. WCU charges $89 and payment is acceptable through check or credit card. When one is ready to take the exam, simply contact the Office of the Registrar to set up an appointment. CLEP test books are approximately $35 and may be found at any local bookstore in the ‘College’ section. For other information including available test dates, contact the Office of the Registrar.
Jen Mika is a fifth-year student majoring in English with a minor in journalism. She can be reached at JM653231@wcupa.edu.