There are 33 different CLEP tests in five categories: composition and literature, foreign language, history and social sciences, science and mathematics, and business. Each test --primarily multiple choice--takes approximately 90 minutes to complete. Some tests, such as the English composition exam, include an essay.
Register for a CLEP test by completing the online form. Send a check for $77 and wait for confirmation. CLEP exams are offered throughout the year at CLEP testing centers across the United States as well as abroad. The majority of these testing centers are located on school campuses. You take the exam on a computer, and unless the exam includes an essay, you receive your score immediately after you finish.
About 2,900 colleges and universities accept CLEP credits. You score between 20 and 80 points on these exams. The American Council on Education recommends a score of 50 as the passing score for the majority of the CLEP subjects. Earn from three to 12 college credits for each exam you pass, depending on your score, the subject and your school's policies.
Show up early at the testing center on the day of the exam. You will answer questions that are at the level of an introductory college class in that subject. Most of the CLEP exams cover the same amount of information as a two semester course.
Ensure your college accepts CLEP credit before registering for a test. Each of the almost 3,000 schools that accept CLEP credits sets its own policies regarding the exams, including how many credits it awards for passing the tests. Many colleges will not grant CLEP credit if you have already taken a college-level class in that subject.