Vancouver +1(604) 628-5783
Vancouver +1(604) 628-5783
July 28, 2020
Have you heard of CLEP? If not, and you are a soon to be college student, currently at college or an adult learner considering returning to studies – you will want to keep reading. Taking a CLEP exam could provide you will valuable college credits for prior learning and knowledge.
CLEP (the College Level Examination Program) offers standardized tests designed to assess knowledge across 34 subject areas. If you receive a passing score on one CLEP exam, you could earn three or more college credits at participating colleges and universities across the US and Canada.
There is a wide array of subject areas in which CLEP covers. These include:
Composition and Literature – which covers exams on topics related to American and British literature and composition.
World Languages - covers exams assessing comprehension of French, German, and Spanish.
History and Social Sciences - covers exams on topics related to history, economics, and psychology.
Science and Mathematics - covers exams on various science disciplines and different levels of math.
Business – are exams that cover various business disciplines.
What is considered as prior learning and knowledge?
To take a CLEP exam at a designated CLEP exam centre, participants should have prior knowledge in the subject area. Prior learning can have taken place from an array of different places, these include through high school courses, self-taught reading and study, online coursework, or on-the-job training.
By undertaking a CLEP exam, you are turning your prior knowledge into an advantage.
Benefits of CLEP
The second benefit of CLEP exams is they can save you money. CLEP exams cost a fraction of what you would usually pay for course credits.
College Board research has found that a student who earns 15 CLEP credits to apply toward a degree could save nearly $5,000 at the average public 4-year institution.
In research conducted by US organization and exam administrator, College Board, students who completed prior learning assessments such as CLEP exams graduated in less time than their peers who did not.
The data highlighted that students working toward an associate degree saved an average of 1.5 to 4.5 months, while those enrolled in bachelor’s programs graduated 2.5 to 10.1 months earlier.
This is a real benefit especially if you are studying and working during your college course. Being able to earn your degree faster means the sooner you can start working in your course discipline.
CLEP exams can be completed at a designated such as www.ashtontesting.ca
You can choose the test date based on your readiness allowing you the opportunity to take as long as you need to prepare. For some students, this may only be a couple of weeks before you complete the CLEP exam or for others, it may take several months depending on the level of prior knowledge and study time required.
If you don’t pass the CLEP exam, there is no penalty. You simply take more time to study and re-take the exam at your convenience.
If you are interested to learn more and want to explore the opportunities available to you by completing a CLEP exam, visit the official CLEP website. Here you can find more detailed information on CLEP exams, CLEP college credit, and finding a CLEP test centres.
If you care located within the British Columbia region, Ashton Testing located in Vancouver, BC has over 14 years of experience working with numerous test and assessment providers including CLEP examinations and is a designated CLEP exam centre. Learn more about Ashton Testing Services here.