CLEP

The College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) is a series of examinations that allows individuals to earn college credit for what they know, regardless of where they learned it. CLEP is the most widely accepted credit-by-examination program in the United States.

Candidates may take advantage of the CLEP website at College Board to prepare for their tests. This site includes a list of exam titles, a description of each test (for download or purchase), and a list of locations offering the tests.

CLEP FAQ

How many tests are offered?

• There are 34 separate CLEP examinations.

What subjects are offered?

• Answers to these questions can be found on the CLEP website. View descriptions of each test. You can purchase a copy of the CLEP Study Guide, with sample questions for all tests, or purchase for download sample questions for selected tests.

How do I receive college credit?

• Each college or university sets its own CLEP policy regarding how much credit will be granted and for which courses. Contact the Admissions Office of the concerned college for information on which tests they accept and the score they require for credit. Also ask if there are other additional requirements before credit is granted.

Can I repeat a test if I desire to obtain a higher score?

• CLEP policy requires a candidate to wait six months before repeating a test.

How do I prepare for the test? What do I study?

• CLEP tests are challenging, and preparation is strongly recommended. The Master’s University does not endorse any particular study methods or material, but visit the College Board website for an overview on CLEP preparation.

CLEP Test Prep

All CLEP examinations are computer-based. Candidates may familiarize themselves with the computer process AND the questions for their particular tests at the CLEP website.

CLEP Resources

The Master’s University does not recommend any one study system or resource over any other. The skills and background of each student are unique. Students are encouraged to research available literature and the Internet for possible resources, and then evaluate them with consideration to the student’s own level of understanding and preferred study methods.

Many students have reported that no single study resource prepared them sufficiently for their test, and recommended using two or three different resources.

The Master’s University does not endorse or support any of the below resources. They are listed for consideration only. Students should review any material prior to purchasing it to determine whether it adequately covers the material listed in the topical outline in the CLEP Study Guide.

1. The CLEP Study Guide is a good place to start. This book is available for purchase through CLEP at [www.collegeboard.com/clep](http://www.collegeboard.com/clep). The Guide has a chapter for each of the 35 CLEP tests with test descriptions, knowledge and skills required, outlines of topics covered, additional resources recommended and sample questions. This material is not truly a “study guide” itself as studying this material alone generally will be inadequate. It gives information and direction for further study. All of this material except for the sample questions is available at the CLEP website at no cost. Complete Guides for individual tests which include the sample questions can be purchased online. (TMU students can view all of this material in the Career Office.)
2. An online study system used by many can be found with the InstantCert Academy at [www.InstantCert.com](http://www.instantcert.com/). For $20 per month, students have access to up to 500 study questions from many (although not all) CLEP tests. This program advertises a 97% success rate and a money-back guarantee if a test is not passed successfully in the first 30 days. [www.IStudySmart.com](http://www.istudysmart.com/) is another fee-based study system.
3. [Wikipedia](http://www.wikipedia.com/) may be a useful resource.
4. The Free University Project at [www.freeuniv.com](http://www.freeuniv.com/) has notes and outlines on many of the tests.
5. SparkNotes by Barnes & Noble at [www.SparkNotes.com](http://www.sparknotes.com/) provides free online study notes for literature, philosophy, chemistry, economics, psychology, math, history and more.
6. Most major bookstores have an Education Section that carries a number of study guides for various CLEP tests produced by REA, Peterson’s and the Princeton Review, among others. These and others may also be found in local libraries as well as at [www.Amazon.com](http://www.amazon.com/) or other online book sellers.
7. Other resources can be found for free or fee through a [Google search](http://www.google.com/) by entering the specific CLEP test as the search term.

While most students pass their tests, not all do. Preparation definitely pays off. CLEP tests are intentionally challenging, since they replace an entire semester (or more) of coursework. Study and preparation are strongly recommended!

DSST

The DSST Program is a nationally recognized testing program that provides the opportunity to receive college credit for learning acquired outside the traditional college classroom.

Candidates may take advantage of dssttestprep.com to prepare for their tests. This site includes a list of exam titles, a description of each test, information on study materials and a list of locations offering the tests.

30% off student discount coupon code from dssttestprep.com: OFF30PROMO

DSST FAQ

How many tests are offered?

• There are 37 separate DSST examinations

What subjects are offered?

• Answers to these questions can be found on the DSST website.

How do I receive college credit?

• Each college or university sets its own policy regarding how much credit will be granted and for which courses. Contact the Admissions Office of the concerned college for information on which tests they accept and the score they require for credit. Also ask if there are other additional requirements before credit is granted.

Can I repeat a test if I desire to obtain a higher score?

• DSST policy requires a candidate to wait three months before repeating a test. Taking alternate forms of a test title does not change this policy. Any attempts to retest on the same title in less than the specified time will generate an “invalid” score report. This will cause the test-taker to wait an additional 90 calendar days.