What if I told you your homeschool student could earn an entire semester of college credit in just a few short weeks, just by taking an exam? Sounds too good to be true, right?
What is a CLEP Exam?
Let’s start with the basics. CLEP stands for College Level Examination Program. Basically, it’s a way for students to “test out” of college classes. You study the material on your own, take a 90-minute exam, and if you pass, boom – you get college credit without ever sitting in the classroom.
CLEP has been around since 1967, and over 2,900 colleges accept these credits. So let’s say your student passes the U.S. History CLEP exam. They can skip that entire history class in college but still get the three credits on their transcript.
Why CLEP Exams Are Great for Homeschool
So why do I believe CLEP is the homeschooler’s secret weapon for college credit?
First, the cost. A single CLEP exam currently costs around $100. Compare that to the average college course which can run anywhere from $1,500 to $3,000 or more. We’re talking serious savings here, especially if your student knocks out several exams.
Second, it’s perfect for how homeschoolers already learn. Your kid is used to self-paced study, right? CLEP plays right into that strength. Plus, they can take these during high school, so they’re already ahead before college even starts. And honestly, passing that first CLEP exam? It’s a huge confidence booster before they dive into “real” college.
How Do CLEP Exams Actually Work?
There are 34 different CLEP exams covering everything from American History to Spanish to Business. Most are multiple choice, they’re 90 minutes long, and you take them at official testing centers – not at home.
For most exams, you get your score immediately when you finish. You need a 50 or higher to pass, which is scaled to mean you’ve demonstrated college-level knowledge. No letter grades, just pass or fail. And if you pass, those credits go on your transcript just like any other college credits.
The Game Plan – How to Choose & Prep
So here’s the game plan.
Step one: Check if your target colleges accept CLEP. Most do, but some have specific policies about which exams they take or how many CLEP credits they’ll accept. A quick phone call to the admissions office clears this up.
Step two: Pick your exams strategically. Start with subjects your student already knows well or is genuinely interested in. Don’t just pick randomly.
Step three: Study time. Here’s a free resource I love – Modern States offers completely free CLEP prep courses. The College Board also has practice tests, and there are tons of study guides out there. Plan for 4 to 8 weeks of study depending on the subject.
Step four: Register through the College Board website and schedule your exam at a nearby testing center.
Pro tip: Start with an exam that plays to your student’s strengths. Let them build confidence with that first win before tackling harder subjects.
Is CLEP Right for YOU?
Now let’s be real for a second. CLEP isn’t for everyone, and that’s okay.
It’s great for motivated self-studiers, students who already have background knowledge in a subject, and families who want to save money without sacrificing quality.
But maybe hold off if your student really needs classroom structure and teacher interaction to learn, or if they’re aiming for super competitive schools that prefer AP exams. Remember, not all colleges accept CLEP credits.
And here’s the thing – you don’t have to choose just one path. Mix it up! Maybe your student does a couple CLEP exams, takes one AP course, and does dual enrollment for something else. There’s no rule that says you have to pick one strategy and stick with it.
The Bottom Line
CLEP exams are an affordable, flexible way to earn legitimate college credit. There are many CLEP exams to choose from, and if this sounds like something you and your family would like to explore, I’d say start with just one exam as a trial run. See with one of the easy ones and see how it goes.
CLEP exams are by far, one of the best and easiest ways for homeschool students to earn college credits.