CLEP exam for English Composition....

Jules A, MSN · Oct 2, 2006

Hi Sue,

I took the one with essay about 3 years ago and then took the one without essay last summer. Since I tend to test really well (or guess good as one of my friends likes to say, lol) I felt both of them were very easy. Interpreting Literature clep had me sweating but I passed that one also. I had never had a college english class and high school was over 20 years ago. I'd say go for it, they only cost around $70 so what the heck. Check your library for the study guides which I think are a must have and also recently I found that the practice tests were the same in the last couple of years versions. Good luck, Jules

takapahaRN · Oct 2, 2006

Hi, I was wondering if anyone has taken the CLEP exam for English Comp including the essay recently? I want to try to take it after studying from some English Comp. course books and the CLEP study guide. It has been 17yrs since I last took ENG Comp so yes I am rusty. Would anyone say that this is too difficult a test to take after so many yrs since first taking it or would I be able to do well w/good preparation? I am willing to take the course certainly but thought I'd try the CLEP first. Anyone who could give me some insight would help. Also, I would like to purchase a study guide for this exam if anyone might be selling theirs. Thanks, Sue

The only problem with testing out is that most colleges give you a grade of a 'C' if you test out. If you think you can do better than a 'C' by taking the class, you're better off to do so. Reason being, with how competitive some programs are for nursing, you'll need the best GPA you can get.

Hope that helps some! :)

MEO82 · Oct 3, 2006

I just called our registrar (I work at a CC). CLEP scores are transferred in as credit...not as a grade. It will count towards your "credits attempted" but not towards your GPA. I guess all schools could be different - but I don't see how they can tack on a grade of C...

missninaRN · Oct 3, 2006

I took the English Comp with essay after being out of school for over 20 years. I prepared by using a couple of CLEP prep books, reading Eats, Shoots and Leaves, and writing practice essays. I scored well above the minimum required for my school for credit for Comp I, but missed Comp II by one point. Still, it saved me a semester and gave me enough credits to apply to nursing school.

And it did not affect my GPA. It just shows up on my transcript as credit earend, no grade point value was assigned.

Jules A, MSN · Oct 3, 2006

I just called our registrar (I work at a CC). CLEP scores are transferred in as credit...not as a grade. It will count towards your "credits attempted" but not towards your GPA. I guess all schools could be different - but I don't see how they can tack on a grade of C...

I've transferred cleps to 3 schools and they are a wash like the others have said, no grade just credits. I will say that when I was applying for the nursing program they wanted to know my actual clep score because because their admission was all about your gpa and so they were making it into a grade for the admission process.

gemini08 · Oct 5, 2006

Hi Jules, Can you tell me how long the essay was you wrote because I am having a fairly big surgical procedure on my right shoulder next Thurs. and of course it is my writing hand I've had much trouble writing in the past few months leading up to the surgery and I will not do any prolonged writing until my shoulder is well healed. I'll be in a sling for about 5wks and the Spring 07' semester starts on Jan. 22nd. I'm really hoping that I'll be able to take at least 1 or 2 classes then being that only 3.5 months will have gone by in Jan. since the surgery. Also could you share w/me your experience w/the scoring system for the ENG Comp w/Essay CLEP test? Feel free to pm me if you want. I believe my 1st choice school I am applying to only looks at the passing score as 3 credits earned but this is something I will certainly follow-up on at St. Vincent's. Thank you so much for all your info! Sue