A Look At The CLEP Exam

One of the best ways to earn college credits is to sit for a CLEP (College-Level Examination Program) exam. This test is administered by The College Board, the same organization that offers the SAT. The idea behind the test is to give people an opportunity to take advantage of their existing knowledge in a particular subject. They can do this for any of thirty-three different examinations. Let's take a closer look at this test.

There are many reasons to consider CLEP. By scoring well enough, and depending on the type and number of tests you take, you can earn anywhere from three to twelve college credits. You can save money. Each test costs $77. Compare this to the tuition cost that you would incur if you registered for a class in an equivalent subject.

If you are just starting your college classes and want to skip mandatory introductory courses you can "CLEP out" and take a more advanced class. In fact over 2900 colleges and universities grant credit for CLEP. Be sure to check if your school offers credit for passing scores on the test and what grade constitutes a passing score.

There are five major categories of testing. Under the heading of business you can take tests in Marketing, Business Law and Financial Accounting. If you have a talent in foreign languages, why not take the Spanish, German, or French examination. Depending on your results, you can earn up to twelve credits.

Let's say you have a strong background in science or math and you would like to bypass mandatory undergraduate intro coursework. Why not consider sitting for the Biology and/ or Chemistry tests? You can earn six credits for each of these examinations. Algebra, Precalculus, and Calculus exams are also offered and three credits can be earned.

If History or the Social Sciences are your bag, why not consider taking a test in Macroeconomics or Microeconomics. Perhaps you are a history buff. You could take History of the United States I - Early Colonization to 1877 or History of the United States II - 1865 to the Present. Tests in American Government, Psychology, and Sociology are also offered.

The value of the CLEP Exam just might prove to be immeasurable for you. If you are an international student, a home schooled student, or someone with extensive life/work experience, then this testing program just might be an effective way to save money and shorten your graduation requirements.