Earning credit through CLEP testing
Article by Chris Bonham
Summer is almost upon us, and, as the school year ends, many students are caught up in the thrill of graduation, prom activities, and all the fun with friends and family that is associated with the upcoming months. However, as summer approaches, some students may be looking ahead towards college and what their higher academic future might hold. College can be a daunting prospect for some, and a fantastic experience for others. Regardless, planning for a college degree usually involves looking at a wide range of courses, some of which inspire intrigue and others that simply induce headaches.
But what if there was a way to simply take a final exam for those necessary college courses that seem dull or uninteresting and be done with them? Well, through the College Board, a body that represents most higher-level academic institutions in the U.S., this is entirely possible. In fact, many students every year take advantage of the College Board’s College Level Examination Program, or CLEP testing.
The College Board was formed in 1900 by 12 colleges and universities that came together in the hopes of helping to standardize higher-level education in America. Over the years, the College Board has expanded to become one of the primary educational bodies in the U.S., and has been responsible for developing a number of different academic programs, most notably the SAT test that many students are familiar with. The College Board has also been instrumental in developing Advanced Placement (AP) courses.
Another one of the Board’s more recent programs is CLEP. Taking a CLEP test is much like walking into a class on the final day, taking the final exam, and never having to sit through a single lecture. If a student receives a passing score (the equivalent of a C), then they are awarded the same number of college credits as if they had sat through an entire course. These scores are not recorded as part of a student’s GPA. CLEP currently offers tests that range in worth from 3-12 credits.
CLEP testing is a great option for students who desire to use knowledge gained outside of a classroom in a practical way. It’s also a great way to go if a student wants to eliminate some general education requirements from their degree. Most CLEP exams can be taken at a local community college, and transcripts are sent to an institution of the student’s choice.
More information about the CLEP program and the College Board can be found at http://about.collegeboard.org/.
