If you are willing to study or already know the material, consider testing out with CLEP (College-Level Examination Program) exams.
These exams are entry-level courses and open year-round for anyone to take. To look at all the tests CLEP has to offer you can go to this link or search CLEP exam topics. The best part of CLEP exams is they save college students money and time while earning credits.
At SVSU, each undergraduate course costs $431 per credit hour. On top of that, students have to purchase expensive textbooks. For example, Chemistry 111 and the lab are five credits which is about $2,155 in tuition money and an estimated amount of $80 in textbooks. On the other hand, the CLEP chemistry exam would be $95 to purchase and a $30 testing fee. This dramatically saves a student money.
Additionally, knowing the material and having to take the class skills can leave you feeling bored or frustrated. The ability to test out of entry-level courses you already know then you can easily get college credit. Looking back at Chemistry 111 and the lab, a student can receive five credits for passing the exam.
Not only do CLEP exams save money, but they also save time. These exams can help you avoid spending a whole semester on a class. For example, for Human Developmental Psychology, a subject I initially knew nothing about, I was able to test out after only two days of studying, earning four credits in the process. Now, this is not to say that all CLEP exams are this easy. Some subjects, such as chemistry, require more extensive studying and preparation.
CLEP can also significantly accelerate your academic journey. By getting out of general education classes, you may reduce your overall course load, potentially allowing for a quicker path to graduation. If you test out of 12 credits or more, you’re skipping an entire semester of college.
Now that you know about CLEP exams, you may be wondering how to register or take one. The first step is purchasing the right exam from the college board website. This exam ticket is valid for six months allowing for flexibility and ample studying time. For the next step, visit the SVSU testing center website and schedule an appointment for a CLEP exam.
Leading up to the exam, make sure to study the material you need to know and print out your exam ticket. On the day of the exam, present your exam ticket in the third-floor library at the testing center along with a valid ID. They will read you the instructions for the exam and tell you to leave all your items in a locker. From there, all you need to do is take the exam.
After the exam, you will receive your score, and you can choose to send it to a school of your choice such as SVSU. Credit-receiving scores will typically be 50 or higher but can depend on what college you are sending the scores to. To find out what score you need at SVSU you can use this link or look up SVSU transfer equivalencies CLEP.
If you receive a score that will grant you credit, the SVSU testing center will let you know and tell you that your school will be processed by the school in a few weeks. If you did not pass the first time, you are eligible to retake the exam after 3 months; however, you do have to repurchase the exam and schedule another appointment.
Overall, CLEP exams can save students time and money, and grant them credits at a low cost. Make sure to check out what CLEP exam may be good for you, and do not forget to study.
