The End of Paper-Based CLEPs

If you are not aware of the College Level College Level Examination Program, better known as CLEP, you should know that the offers a series of examinations that test an individual’s college level knowledge gained through course work, independent study, cultural pursuits, travel, special interests, military service schools, and professional development. These tests can help servicemembers (and any college student) "test-out" of certain classes at over 2,900 colleges and universities nation wide.

The American Council on Education (ACE) evaulates the test and makes recommendations of a minimum score for awarding credit, however each school determines its own acceptable score and the amount of credit granted for each examination.

In July 2001, the College Board introduced a computer-based (eCBT) version of the CLEP tests at national test centers located at more than 1700 colleges and universities that.

The eCBT cost is $77 per exam, which DANTES funds up-front for eligible military and civilian examinees at national test centers. Unfortunately DANTES does not cover the non-refundable registration fee, which ranges from $15 to $25 per test -- the examinee is responsible for paying this fee.

There is an upside to using the eCBT, in most cases the pass-rate for eCBT is higher than the paper-based exams. (see 2011 pass-rate comparisons below). However, no CLEP test is easy, you need to study to be successful. The days of taking the test cold are long gone; based on the registration fees, retesting is now cost-prohibitive.

While all schools were required to go paperless years ago, DANTES had been given permission to continue to administer the paper-based version of the exams until 2012. That means that DANTES is currently in the process of phasing out the paper-based version of the exams. The deadline for taking the last exam is September 30, 2012.

The 14 paper-based General and Subject Test titles are:

• CLEP Generals:
  • Social Sciences and History
  • Natural Sciences
  • Humanities
  • College Mathematics
  • College Composition Modular
• CLEP Subjects:
  • Analyzing and Interpreting Literature
  • College Algebra
  • History of the U.S. I
  • History of the U.S. II
  • Information Systems and Computer Applications
  • Introductory Psychology
  • Introductory Sociology
  • Principles of Management
  • Spanish Language (Levels 1 and 2)

NOTE to Servicemembers: If you are planning to take the paper-based version of the CLEP, you had better do so by September 30.

The following table shows the pass rates for the computer-based and paper-based CLEP exams in 2011.