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Should I take the CLEP exam?

Author

Mia Kelly

Published Jan 13, 2026

Taking CLEP exams offers two primary benefits to students. The program makes it possible to save time and money while earning a degree [2]. It also lets students earn credit for knowledge they already have, either from independent study or experience.

Is it worth it to take CLEP?

Even with added costs, such as $10 study guides, the CLEP remains a bargain. These exams can also help you to get a degree faster. While a college undergraduate degree can often take students four to six years, CLEP exams can cut that time substantially to as little as one year.

Is the CLEP exam hard?

#4 Overestimating CLEP Difficulty

Thankfully, CLEP tests are actually easily passed by anyone willing to put in the study time and effort. I've personally talked with hundreds of CLEP students from high schoolers to adult learners who have successfully passed and earned college credit.

When should I take CLEP test?

You can take a CLEP exam all year round. Test centers will often offer CLEP exams several times a month. There is no age minimum on taking a CLEP exam and you do not have to be enrolled in college to take the tests.

What happens if you fail a CLEP test?

So what happens to your old score if you retake the exam? If you fail, the College Board will keep your failed score until you retake the test. The next time you attempt the test, they will replace your old score with your new score. After that, the College Board won't have any trace of your first failed score.

34 related questions found

How long should you study for CLEP?

Depending on your learning style, studying for a CLEP exam could take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months. As a general rule, the more time you have to study, the better. Keep a calendar and block out an hour or two every day or every other day to devote to studying for your exam.

Are CLEP tests timed?

CLEP tests are timed, and they generally last about 90 minutes. Thus, be sure that any practice exams you complete are timed to ensure you are practicing under genuine testing conditions.

Is CLEP multiple choice?

Overview of the Exams

Most CLEP exams are designed to correspond to one-semester courses, although some tests correspond to full-year or two-year courses. The format of most questions is multiple choice.

Is CLEP free for military?

The Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES) provides free College Level Examination Program (CLEP) examinations to eligible military service members, spouses and civil service employees.

Does CLEP affect GPA?

CLEP exams have no effect on your grade point average—all they do is allow you to receive course credit. That means any passing grade on a CLEP test earns you the same amount of college credit—no matter if you get a “C” or an “A” on the exam.

Is CLEP easier than AP?

CLEP vs AP Test Difficulty: Which is Harder? According to May 2019 pass rate data, students may have found AP exams more difficult. CLEP exams had a 68% pass rate while AP exams had a 65% pass rate. However, there were many more AP examinees than CLEP test takers.

Can you cheat on a CLEP test?

CLEP test takers are not penalized for wrong answers.

Be sure to select an answer to every question, even if it means making a blind guess. If you are running out of time, selecting a random answer at least gives you a shot at choosing the correct answer.

What does a CLEP score of 50 mean?

The American Council on Education (ACE) recommends a credit-granting score of 50 for each CLEP exam. This is a scaled score, equivalent to earning a C in the relevant course.

What are the 34 CLEP exams?

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)

Can I take CLEP while in college?

Anyone can earn college credit through CLEP, whether they're in high school or already in college. There are 34 CLEP exams in 5 subject areas. See all CLEP exams. Students can schedule their exams any time throughout the year.

How many points is CLEP out of?

The scaled score is the result of the raw score conversion process. The CLEP score range is from 20 to 80, and the test scores are presented on the test taker's score report.

What is the difference between CLEP and Dantes?

How are they different? One key difference—CLEP exams take 90 minutes and DSST exams take 2 hours. CLEP exam credit is accepted at over 2,900 schools; over 1,900 schools accept credit for DSST exams.

Can veterans take Cleps?

Veteran Education Benefits

Veterans can use G.I. Bill funds to cover CLEP exams and administration fees.

Are CLEP exams proctored?

CLEP now offers test takers the option to take a CLEP exam at home with remote proctoring.

How many credits is a CLEP exam worth?

With a passing score on one CLEP exam, you could earn three or more college credits at 2,900 U.S. colleges and universities.

How long does it take to get CLEP results?

Your official scores will be available in your CLEP account within one business day of your test date. Scores for exams with writing sections will be available on the My Account Portal within two to three weeks after your test date.

How many questions are on CLEP?

Both exams include 120 questions that measure your reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills — one at the two-semester and one at the four-semester level.

How many CLEP exams can I take in one day?

You can take as many CLEP exams at one time as your test center will allow. Some test centers limit you to taking only one test per day, however the College Board and CLEP program do not have a limit on the number of tests you can take in a single day.

Do CLEP exams have essays?

No. On April 15, 2021, CLEP discontinued offering the optional essay. Essays are still required for College Composition and Spanish with Writing exams.