Most CLEP exams are designed to correspond to one-semester courses, although some tests correspond to full-year or two-year courses. World language exams include listening sections. The College Composition and Spanish with Writing exams require test takers to write two essays.
The College Level Examination Program is a group of standardized tests created and administered by the College Board. These tests assess college-level knowledge in thirty-six subject areas and provide a mechanism for earning college credits without taking college courses.
The College Board’s College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) has been the most widely trusted credit-by-exam program for over 50 years, accepted by 2,900 colleges and universities and administered in more than 2,000 test centers. This rigorous program allows students from various ages and backgrounds to demonstrate their mastery of introductory college-level material and earn college credit.
In addition, students can earn credit for what they already know by getting qualifying scores on any of the 34 exams. While the College Board sponsors CLEP, only colleges may grant credit toward a degree. A college often grants the same amount of credit to a student who earns satisfactory scores on a CLEP exam for a student who completes the related course.
CLEP Benefits for Everyone
The College-Level Examination Program® (CLEP) helps you receive college credit for what you already know, for a fraction of the cost of a college course. CLEP offers 34 exams that cover introductory level college course material. With a passing score on one CLEP exam, you could earn three or more college credits at 2,900 U.S. colleges and universities.
Save Money
Exams cost only $89 plus your test center’s administration fee, compared to hundreds of dollars per course credit at a college.
Get Your Degree Faster
Students who pass CLEP exams are likely to graduate years and months earlier than others and earn their degrees.
What is the cost of THe CLEP Exam?
Explore each CLEP exam topic before you register to make sure you’re taking the appropriate exam. Each exam costs $89. Keep in mind that test centers or remote-proctored exams may include additional fees. You can register at clep.collegeboard.org.
What are CLEP Exam Topics?
Composition and Literature CLEP Exams
- American Literature (3 credits)
- Analyzing and Interpreting Literature (3 credits)
- College Composition (6 credits)
- College Composition Modular (3 credits)
- English Literature (3 credits)
- Humanities (3 credits)
CLEP Exams for World Languages
- French Language: Level 1
- French Language: Level 2
- German Language: Level 1
- German Language: Level 2
- Spanish Language: Level 1
- Spanish Language: Level 2
- Spanish with Writing: Level 1
- Spanish with Writing: Level 2
- Other languages need to be tested at your university. You will need to check if your university offers language testing for your target language.
History and Social Sciences CLEP Tests
- American Government (3 credits)
- History of the United States I (3 credits)
- History of the United States II (3 credits)
- Human Growth and Development (3 credits)
- Introduction to Educational Psychology (3 credits)
- Introductory Psychology (3 credits)
- Introductory Sociology (3 credits)
- Principles of Macroeconomics (3 credits)
- Principles of Microeconomics (3 credits)
- Social Sciences and History (6 credits)
- Western Civilization I: Ancient Near East to 1648 (3 credits)
- Western Civilization II: 1648 to Present (3 credits)
Science and Mathematics CLEP Exams
- Biology (6 credits)
- Calculus (4 credits)
- Chemistry (6 credits)
- College Algebra (3 credits)
- College Mathematics (6 credits)
- Natural Sciences (6 credits)
- Precalculus (3 credits)
Business CLEP Tests
- Financial Accounting (3 credits)
- Information Systems (3 credits)
- Introductory Business Law (3 credits)
- Principles of Management (3 credits)
- Principles of Marketing (3 credits)
CLEP Exam Basic Info
Now that you know what exams are available, how you can study for them and how many credits each is worth, let’s learn a little bit about exam costs, registration, scheduling, and scoring. This information will allow you to make a more educated decision on which tests to take.
Registration & Test Scheduling
To register for a CLEP exam, select an exam either from the CLEP registration page or an individual exam page, then use the My Account portal to submit your payment. If you cannot identify a preferred test center in the My Account portal during registration, you can use the Find a Test Center tool at clep.collegeboard.org to locate one in your area. After finding a test center, contact it directly to schedule the date and time to take your exam.
CLEP Scores
CLEP exams offer a scaled score range of 20 to 80. The recommended minimum passing score to earn college credits is 50 for most exams; however, each institution is allowed to set its own minimum passing score for granting credits. For help studying for your CLEP exams, check out Study.com CLEP courses, study guides, and practice tests.
