CLEP tests were developed by the College Board, which also creates the SAT and AP exams. There are 33 CLEP tests in five major subject areas: history and social sciences, composition and literature, science and mathematics, business, and world languages. The tests cover what students would be expected to learn in first- and second-year college classes. Most of the exams are 90 minutes long. CLEP tests are primarily multiple choice, although a few include essay and other types of questions. More than 2,000 colleges and universities accept at least some CLEP credits.
CLEP tests can benefit students who want to move through college quickly, including older students returning to college. The tests are also a valuable tool for students who need to economize on their undergraduate education, perhaps to save money for graduate school or to avoid student debt. Homeschooled students, older students returning to college after years in the workplace and military personnel often find CLEP tests useful because through these exams they can receive college credit for knowledge they have gained outside the traditional classroom.
Taking CLEP tests is not a good idea for everyone. Not all colleges accept CLEP tests, so find out if the exams you hope to take will be accepted by the schools in which you are interested. Of those colleges that do give credit for CLEP tests, many give credit only for the more specific subject exams, such as statistics, psychology or English literature, and not the five much broader general exams: social sciences and history, humanities, natural sciences, college mathematics and english composition. Many schools accept only a limited number of CLEP credits. If you're considering taking a CLEP test to replace a college course, make sure you can effectively learn or review college-level material on your own. This means not only being able to understand the material, but also being able to plan your review, stick with your schedule and find the resources you need.
Success on the CLEP exams comes by making smart choices about which tests to take when, and by working hard on preparation. Start with one or two tests you think will be easiest for you so you can find out if CLEP works well for you, then try to take tests on similar subject matter. Once your exams are scheduled, the real work begins. A CLEP test is the equivalent of a comprehensive final exam for a college class, so expect to study hard. Use the College Board's official CLEP materials to guide your study. The College Board offers a comprehensive guide to all 33 CLEP tests, individual exam guides and an online demo to familiarize you with the computerized test. Once you have the official exam guide, use it as an outline, then supplement with other materials. The public library and the Internet are valuable sources of review materials. Consider working with a tutor on subjects you find difficult. Work some practice questions and simply review the material so you become familiar with the format of the test and develop the ability to pace yourself on these timed exams.