What happens if you don't pass the CLEP?
James Craig
Published Jan 19, 2026
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.
How many times can I take a CLEP exam?
Can you retake a CLEP test? You can take CLEP tests as many times as you want (though you'll have to pay the $87 fee each time).
How hard is it to get a 50 on CLEP?
Generally, only 50 out of 80 is needed to pass a CLEP exam, which comes out to a grade of 63%. The catch is that a CLEP test will appear as a “P” for “pass” on your transcript whether you get a 50 or an 80. Since CLEP exams cover such a broad range of concepts, you are not expected to pass with flying colors.
Can you retake a CLEP test?
You may be able to retake your CLEP exam.
Test takers can't retake an exam of the same title within three months of the initial test date. If you retake the exam within the three-month period, your administration will be considered invalid, your score will be canceled, and any test fees will be forfeited.
Is 70 a good CLEP score?
Remember that this can change across colleges and the same college can even have different requirements for each CLEP test subject. Take practice tests before you take the real exam. It's best to score a bare minimum of 60% before taking the real exam, a practice test score of around 70% is much safer.
34 related questions foundIs 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.
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.
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.
Which is better CLEP or 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.
Are CLEP tests worth it?
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.
How long should I 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.
What are the easiest classes to CLEP?
9 Easiest CLEP Exams Ranked
- Analyzing and Interpreting Literature.
- College Composition / College Composition Modular. ...
- Spanish, French, or German. ...
- Information Systems and Computer Applications. ...
- Introductory Sociology. ...
- College Mathematics. ...
- Social Studies and History. ...
- Principles of Marketing. ...
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)
What college accepts the most CLEP credits?
Which Schools Accept the Highest Number of CLEP Credits?
- Purdue University - unlimited credits can be transferred as long as students take at least 32 credits at this university.
- University of Massachusetts - 75 credits can transfer.
- University of Arizona - 60 units can transfer.
Are CLEP exams proctored?
CLEP now offers test takers the option to take a CLEP exam at home with remote proctoring.
Which CLEP exam is hardest?
Calculus is the hardest math CLEP, for almost everyone. Unless you're a math wiz, it's also one of the hardest CLEP exams among all the subject categories. Precalculus is harder than College Mathematics and Algebra, but not as advanced as Calculus.
Can you pass CLEP without studying?
Probably not unless you're already well versed on those topics. Obviously the hard fact based and formula based tests will require studying and lots of knowledge such as the math and science CLEPs (not counting environmental and natural science, you can pass these with minimal knowledge).
Is the CLEP algebra test hard?
Sixty-Second Summary. The College Mathematics CLEP is easier than College Algebra CLEP for most test-takers. College Mathematics has a more broad range of math subjects to cover, but isn't as in-depth in them. College Algebra has less to cover, but the problems are more difficult.
Is 68 a good CLEP score?
The American Council on Education (ACE) recommends a credit-granting score of 50 for each CLEP exam.
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.
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.
Do colleges like CLEP?
While CLEP isn't the most transferable source of credit, it's still an excellent way to save some money on college. And Podunk University isn't the only college which accepts it. In fact, CLEP exams are more popular than ever, currently accepted at more than 2,900 schools across the United States.
Do CLEP exams look good on college applications?
While individual colleges may differ, CLEP exams are generally another way to stand out on applications and recommended for students who need additional ways to set themselves apart. A strong performance could be an effective counterpoint to grades that are lower than you had hoped.
Can I CLEP a class I failed?
So will your next college know if you take a CLEP in place of that failed course? Yes, they will know, but they usually won't care. Most colleges will ignore any courses that you received lower than a C on and they won't transfer with your past classes to your you new university.