CLEP- College Credits, for what You Already Know?

What if you could get course credit at college level for a ton of stuff you have in your head, right now? Stuff you take for granted. Life stuff.

You may not realize that a fast-track to college credit is here for you, right now.

CLEP, for many, is a shortcut to their degree. What is it? Where is it? How do you use it?

CLEP is the acronym for the “College Level Examination Program.”

What does that mean to you? A lot. A huge savings of money and time, not to mention faster degree earnings power.

CLEP is a way to give your college credit for previously-acquired knowledge—- college-level knowledge you may not even realize you own.

It’s a series of exams you can take to use what you know toward your degree credits. The test is offered by the College Board.

CLEP lets you jump over much required undergraduate coursework. You win credit for a semester course (or year-long college course), by passing each exam.

What gives you this ability?

Your knowledge could have been gained through earlier course work, or some form of independent study. It could also be from your cultural pursuits, like travel, your hobbies or special interests, or study in military service schools, or any form of your own professional development.

Maybe you are an international or home-schooled student? CLEP might work even better for you, to mainstream and verify your own unique knowledge.

If you think CLEP is too good to be true, it’s not. But be sure you know what you’re doing.

Here are some key things to keep in mind about CLEP…

Colleges are different. First, check out your college’s CLEP policy. Most institutions grant credit for CLEP exams, but not all.

About 2,900 U.S. institutions grant credit for CLEP. But each institution decides which exams credit is awarded, the scores required, and how much credit will be granted.

Where do you find your college’s CLEP policy info?

Most college catalogs list their academic policies. Look for the CLEP policy statement under a heading such as Credit-by-Examination, Advanced Standing, Advanced Placement, or External Degree Program.

Don’t be shy. Ask your admission or registrar’s office for it’s “credit-by-examination” policy.

So dar, CLEP is amazing… but how much credit can you earn?

Your results may vary. Be sure to find out first. Different colleges gives different CLEP credit for the same kind of tests.

Also, some colleges limit total credit you can earn through CLEP exams. And still other colleges may grant you exemption but no credit toward your degree.

So, check out different college policies on CLEP before deciding.

Think you can pass a number of CLEP exams? Find a college giving credits for the maximum CLEP exams you believe you can pass.

Find out what a minimum passing CLEP score is at each college, too. Passing score info is usually published and availble.

What about CLEP credit for core degree requirements?

Many colleges let your CLEP credit apply to core curriculum requirements. Before taking any CLEP exam, make sure you know what type of credit you’ll receive (or whether you’ll be exempted from a required course but receive no credit).

Look out! Prior course work can block your CLEP testing opportunities. (Have you already attempted a college-level course and failed? Some colleges won’t award CLEP credit for that course.) Check it out first.

Also, you need to be enrolled— colleges award CLEP credit only to their enrolled students. Your college may also require you to formally apply for CLEP credit, by completing and signing a form.

At some colleges, you may have to “validate” your CLEP score (by successfully completing a more advanced course in the subject).

Your college may require the optional “free-response (essay) section”, for the examinations in Composition and Literature, as well as the multiple-choice portion of the CLEP exam.

In some subjects, at some colleges, you might be required to pass a departmental test— an essay, laboratory, or oral exam— in addition to the CLEP multiple-choice exam.

CLEP can be your fast-track to that degree. It’s an amazing program, but there can be pitfalls.

The devil’s always in the details. Make sure you cover all your bases.

Be sure you’ve got all the info you need. And get college credit for what you already know!

GRAD2B warning: The CLEP Program has a policy that candidates may not repeat a CLEP exam of the same title within six months. Scores of exams you repeat earlier than six months are canceled, and your test fees are forfeited.

GRAD2B TIP: Make full use of all the CLEP STUDY GUIDES available to you— cram hard, before the tests!

Check out College Board CLEP guidelines at: http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/clep/ex_ag.html

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