CLEP Exams

stevefl · Nov 13, 2010

I did CLEP for my humanities for EC requirements, the test was not easy but if you can pass the EC tests you should be able to pass it. As far as study material you should use the material CLEP recommends. I use a book from the local book store and it was only about 25% accurate to the test.

Another source for testing, you may want to look at is UEXCEL it is a test site like CLEP but it is part of EC and the test are accepted with no problems. You test at PV just like EC.

http://www.uexceltest.com/

Good luck to you

Steve

caliotter3 · Nov 13, 2010

Just keep in mind that the test may not be accepted at other programs in the future. You always have a better chance of course acceptance if the credits are from a bona fide college course.

Rockenheimer · Nov 14, 2010

Clep'ing out of courses was the best way to go. Saved me tons of time and I never failed a CLEP exam yet. I Clep'd Sociology, Psychology, and... aw shoot, I forget what the third one was. It was a bit more involved than the two I named, which were both "101" courses. I used the Cliff Notes to get me through. It worked. I kinda read them like a novel, cover to cover, I don't recall having taken any special notes on the side - I don't think I did. I did make a point to "store" the info in my brain as I read along. I don't remember what I scored in the CLEP exams but I do know I passed 'em all on the first try! Saved me a bunch of $$$ and tons of time! I'd do it again in a heartbeat!

Murse901, MSN, RN · Nov 15, 2010

Just keep in mind that the test may not be accepted at other programs in the future. You always have a better chance of course acceptance if the credits are from a bona fide college course.

Considering that CLEPs are accepted at the larger majority of U.S. colleges and universities (and have been for decades), and that a CLEP costs a fraction of an ***-in-seat college course, and that you don't have to sit in class for 3 months to get credit for something that you may already know, it's a reasonable gamble to just go ahead and CLEP out of anything that you can.

In response to the OP, I have only taken one CLEP exam and two DSST exams. Already had some ***-in-seat credit from before I knew about CLEP's to complete my EC degree requirements. DSST exams are reported to be easier, but I can't vouch for that. I only gathered this from reading dozens of posts on a certain degree info dot com forum. I took the Psych CLEP and, although I was sure I had bombed, I passed with flying colors. I took the test cold, zero study materials, because I had learned a bit about psych in LPN school and had 6 months experience in a mental health unit as an LPN. I also took Lifespan Development Psych DSST without study materials, which I didn't think was too difficult (again, already had some education on the subject in LPN school), and I took DSST Technical Writing to satisfy my last 3 humanities credits. Zero studying for Technical Writing. I have been known to be a grammar nazi, so this one was easy for me.

Good luck to you.

smkiya, BSN, RN · Nov 16, 2010

I took the Biology CLEP a couple of years ago. I studied for about a month, took it, and passed. I got a very used ($2-$3) old Biology text from Half.com and used the outline from the college board site. Funny I should see this post, because I just registered at a testing site to take the Principles of Statistics test (DSST, similar to CLEP). I will start studying tonight and will give myself 3 weeks. Compared to a 15 week several hundred dollar course, I paid a total of $95 for the test. If I pass, then that's 3 credits and Statistics under my belt. There is an online forum that is free that you should check out. They offer all kinds of information and personal study tips for the CLEP and DSST exams.

CLEP Forum - CLEP Study - CLEP Testing - Study Guide and Strategies

ETA- Wow, just thought, that Bio CLEP was over 6 years ago. Time flies!

Kelseyj79 · Nov 17, 2010

I took DSST's Ethics in America to complete my humanities requirement. I highly recommend checking out instantcert.com, this is a great website full of other students who are either cleping or taking DSST. The posters on there are full of info and will share notes and tips. Also for a small fee you can access instantcert's flashcards, these are GREAT!! I only used the study materials from this website and passed with flying colors!! Good Luck!!