About CLEP
Have you ever felt like you could pass a final exam without even showing up for any of the classes? If so, you might want to look into CLEP. The College-Level Examination Program® (CLEP) is an excellent way to receive college credit without investing the time and expense involved in taking a college course. CLEP allows students to take knowledge gleaned from life experiences, independent study or professional development and apply that knowledge toward a college degree.
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What is a CLEP Test?
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The 34 available CLEP exams cover subjects that are required courses in many colleges. A college usually gives the same number of credits for a satisfactory CLEP score as it gives to students who pass the corresponding course. CLEP exams are generally 90 minutes long. Nearly all CLEP exams are presented in a multiple-choice format except for English Composition with Essay which, as the name suggests, requires an essay. The tests are computer-based and you will know your score instantly upon completion - again, with the exception of the English Composition and Essay exam.
Who Takes CLEP Tests?
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Many people can benefit from taking CLEP exams. A college student could use CLEP to speed up the process of earning a diploma. CLEP tests can shave a year or more off a bachelor degree program. People who work full time or are busy raising a family can use CLEP to chip away at their college degree without investing time and money in classes. Career-switchers looking to establish themselves in a new field can use CLEP to earn quick education credentials. CLEP is a valuable resource for newcomers to this country who were educated abroad but whose degree is not accepted here. Students who are fluent in French, German or Spanish can earn easy credit with one of CLEP's foreign language exams.
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Do All Colleges Accept CLEP?
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Not all colleges give credit for CLEP tests, but most do. Each of the 2,900 colleges and universities that grant credit for CLEP has its own rules stating which of the CLEP exams it accepts, how well a student must score on the exam in order to receive credit and how much credit will be given for an acceptable score. In addition, some colleges limit the number of CLEP credits they will grant. Check your school's catalogue for their CLEP policy. It might be found under one of the following headings: Credit-by-Examination, Advanced Standing, Advanced Placement, or External Degree Program.
Where to Take a Clep Test
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CLEP test centers are located on college campuses across the country. To register for a CLEP exam, contact a test center near you. (See link below.) Contact that test center directly to learn about its registration procedure, fees and schedule. Next, complete a registration form and mail it to the test center with your payment. Each CLEP test costs $70. Most test centers also charge a nonrefundable administration fee which varies by location.
Preparing for a CLEP Test
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Begin preparing for your CLEP by carefully reading the description of the exam you plan to take. (See link below.) These descriptions give very specific information about the subject matter to be covered and the percentage of the exam devoted to each area. This will help you determine what and how much you need to study. The College Board, the body which offers the exams, suggests that students use a text book from their college's corresponding course to study for a CLEP exam. The Board also sells an official comprehensive study guide as well as an individual study guide for each CLEP exam. The individual guides are downloadable from its website at a cost of $10 each.
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