CLEP Testing: Get Free College Credit (Save $10,000-$30,000 on Your Degree)

Bottom Line Up Front: CLEP tests = pass one 90-minute exam, earn 3-6 college credits. Military pays for CLEP exams ($89 each, free for active duty via DANTES). Average service member can earn 30-45 credits via CLEP = 1-1.5 years of college FREE. Easiest tests: College Composition, American Government, Intro to Psychology. Study 2-4 weeks using Modern States (free).

What Is CLEP?

Definition

College-Level Examination Program = standardized tests that grant college credit for knowledge you already have

How it works:

1. Study for test (2-4 weeks)
2. Take 90-minute exam at testing center
3. Pass (usually 50-60% correct) = Earn 3-6 college credits
4. Send scores to college

Credit earned:

• Most tests = 3 credits
• Some tests = 6 credits
• Composition/languages = 6-12 credits

Cost

• Civilian: $89 per test
• Active duty military: FREE (DANTES pays)
• Spouses/dependents: $89 (but still worth it)

Value

Example:

• College course: $500-$1,500 per 3-credit class
• CLEP test: $0-$89
• Savings: $500-$1,500 per test

Earn 30 credits via CLEP:

• College cost: $5,000-$15,000
• CLEP cost: $0 (active duty)
• Total savings: $5,000-$15,000

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Easiest CLEP Tests (High Pass Rates)

Beginner-Friendly Tests (Minimal Study)

1. College Composition (6 credits)

• Pass rate: 60-70%
• Study time: 1-2 weeks
• Content: Essay writing, grammar, argument analysis
• Why it's easy: If you can write coherent essays, you'll pass

2. Analyzing & Interpreting Literature (6 credits)

• Pass rate: 60%
• Study time: 2-3 weeks
• Content: Poetry, prose, literary analysis
• Why it's easy: Multiple choice, no actual reading required (passages provided)

3. American Government (3 credits)

• Pass rate: 65-70%
• Study time: 2-3 weeks
• Content: Constitution, branches of government, political process
• Why it's easy: Common knowledge for most Americans

4. Introduction to Psychology (3 credits)

• Pass rate: 60%
• Study time: 2-3 weeks
• Content: Basic psychology concepts
• Why it's easy: Interesting material, logical concepts

5. Principles of Management (3 credits)

• Pass rate: 55-65%
• Study time: 2-3 weeks
• Content: Business management, leadership
• Why it's easy: Military experience applies (leadership, organizational structure)

Moderate Difficulty (Study 3-4 Weeks)

6. U.S. History I & II (3 credits each)

• Pass rate: 50-60%
• Content: Colonial period through modern day
• Military advantage: You've studied military history

7. Biology (6 credits)

• Pass rate: 50%
• Study time: 3-4 weeks
• Content: Cell biology, genetics, ecology
• Worth it: 6 credits (double value)

8. Principles of Marketing (3 credits)

• Pass rate: 55%
• Content: Marketing concepts, consumer behavior
• Business degree requirement

Hardest Tests (Study 4-6 Weeks)

9. Calculus (6 credits)

• Pass rate: 40-45%
• Content: Limits, derivatives, integrals
• Worth it: 6 credits + required for STEM degrees

10. Chemistry (6 credits)

• Pass rate: 35-40%
• Study time: 5-6 weeks
• Content: General chemistry
• For: Pre-med, engineering majors

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CLEP Study Strategy

Step 1: Choose Test (Based on Degree Requirements)

Check:

• Your college's CLEP policy (which tests accepted, minimum scores)
• Your degree plan (which courses required)
• Which tests align with your knowledge

Example:

• Pursuing Business degree
• Required courses: English Comp, Psychology, Marketing, Management
• CLEP strategy: Take all 4 tests = 15 credits = $7,500 saved

Step 2: Register for Test

For active duty:

1. Go to DANTES.mil
2. Create account
3. Schedule CLEP test at base education center
4. FREE (government pays)

For civilians/spouses:

1. Go to CollegeBoard.org/CLEP
2. Pay $89 per test
3. Schedule at testing center

Step 3: Study (2-4 Weeks)

Free resources:

• Modern States: ModernStates.org (FREE courses, FREE voucher for test)
• Khan Academy: Free videos on most subjects
• CLEP Official Study Guide: CollegeBoard.org (free practice tests)

Paid resources (optional):

• REA CLEP study guides: $20-$30 (comprehensive)
• Peterson's CLEP prep: $30 (practice tests)
• Coursera/Udemy: $20-$100 (video courses)

Study plan:

• Week 1: Study 5-7 hours (overview)
• Week 2-3: Study 10-15 hours (deep dive)
• Week 4: Practice tests (2-3 full tests)

Passing score: Usually 50-60% (not 90% like military tests!)

Step 4: Take Test

Test format:

• 90-120 minutes
• Multiple choice (most)
• Some have essay component (Composition)
• Computer-based

Tips:

• Arrive early (reduce stress)
• Skip hard questions, come back later
• Trust your gut (first instinct usually right)
• Use all available time

Step 5: Get Results

Immediate:

• Score appears on screen after test
• Pass/fail notification

Official transcript:

• Sent to college within 2-3 weeks
• College posts credits (may take 4-6 weeks)

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CLEP Strategy by Degree Type

Business Degree (Save $10,000-$15,000)

Recommended CLEP tests:

1. College Composition (6 credits)
2. Principles of Management (3 credits)
3. Principles of Marketing (3 credits)
4. Financial Accounting (3 credits)
5. Intro to Psychology (3 credits)
6. Intro to Sociology (3 credits)
7. American Government (3 credits)
8. College Math (3 credits)
9. U.S. History I (3 credits)
10. U.S. History II (3 credits)

Total: 33 credits (11 courses) = $5,000-$15,000 saved

Liberal Arts Degree (Save $8,000-$12,000)

Recommended:

1. College Composition (6 credits)
2. Analyzing & Interpreting Literature (6 credits)
3. American Literature (6 credits)
4. Humanities (6 credits)
5. Social Sciences & History (6 credits)

Total: 30 credits = $5,000-$12,000 saved

STEM Degree (Save $5,000-$10,000)

Recommended:

1. College Composition (6 credits)
2. Biology (6 credits)
3. Chemistry (6 credits) - if you're strong in science
4. Calculus (6 credits) - if you're strong in math
5. Intro to Psychology (3 credits)

Total: 27 credits = $4,500-$10,000 saved

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Which Colleges Accept CLEP?

Most Accept CLEP

• 2,900+ colleges accept CLEP (90%+ of U.S. colleges)
• Community colleges: Nearly all
• State universities: Nearly all
• Private universities: Most (but check first)

Check Before Taking Test

Go to college website:

• Search "CLEP policy"
• Check minimum scores required
• Check which tests accepted
• Some limit total CLEP credits (30-60 credit max)

Example policies:

• Arizona State: Accepts 60 CLEP credits max
• University of Maryland: Accepts 30 CLEP credits max
• Southern New Hampshire: Accepts 90 CLEP credits max

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Common CLEP Mistakes

❌ Mistake #1: Taking Test Without Checking College's Policy

Reality: You pass test. College doesn't accept it. Wasted time.

Fix: Verify college accepts test BEFORE taking it.

❌ Mistake #2: Not Using Free Resources

Reality: You pay $200 for prep course. Modern States offers same content free.

Fix: Use Modern States (free). Only buy paid resources if free isn't enough.

❌ Mistake #3: Under-Studying

Reality: "It's only 50% to pass, I'll wing it." You fail. Have to retake (wait 3 months).

Fix: Study 2-4 weeks. Take practice tests. Aim for 70%+ on practice (ensures you pass real test).

❌ Mistake #4: Not Taking CLEP While Active Duty

Reality: You wait until after separation. Now you pay $89 per test instead of free.

Fix: Take CLEP while active duty (free via DANTES).

❌ Mistake #5: Stopping After One Test

Reality: You pass one test. Stop. Could've passed 10 tests = 30 credits = $10,000 saved.

Fix: Take 1 test per month. In 1 year = 12 tests = 36+ credits = potentially 1.5 years of college done.

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CLEP Testing Centers

On-Base Testing (Active Duty)

• Base Education Center
• Schedule via DANTES.mil
• Free
• Usually quieter, more comfortable than civilian centers

Off-Base Testing (Spouses, Veterans)

• Community colleges
• Universities
• Pearson VUE centers
• Cost: $89 + $20-$30 test center fee

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Action Steps

This Month:

1. ✅ Go to college website, check CLEP policy
2. ✅ List required courses for your degree
3. ✅ Identify which courses have CLEP equivalents
4. ✅ Choose first CLEP test

Next 4 Weeks:

1. ✅ Study using Modern States (free)
2. ✅ Take 2-3 practice tests
3. ✅ Schedule CLEP exam (when scoring 70%+ on practice)
4. ✅ Take test and pass

This Year:

1. ✅ Take 6-12 CLEP tests (1 per month or 1 every 2 months)
2. ✅ Earn 18-36 credits
3. ✅ Save $5,000-$15,000 on degree

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Verification & Sources

Official Sources:

• CollegeBoard.org/CLEP (official CLEP website)
• DANTES.mil (military testing program)
• Modern States (free CLEP prep + vouchers)

Last Updated: October 31, 2025

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Related Guides

• Tuition Assistance vs. GI Bill Strategy
• Best Online Colleges for Active Duty
• How to Finish Your Degree in 12 Months

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Remember: CLEP is the fastest, cheapest way to earn college credit. While active duty, it's FREE. Take advantage. 1 test per month = 12 tests/year = 36 credits = $10,000-$15,000 saved. Most service members can complete general education requirements (30-45 credits) entirely via CLEP. Don't pay for courses you can CLEP.