Did any of you ever CLEP a prereq?

Published

I was originally a non-science major and I took the Biology for non-science majors. Now that I am interested in nursing school I have to take A&P. Well, they won't let me take A&P I until I take the Biology for science majors. I made an A in my previous Biology and I really think it would be silly to take it over. I have never CLEPed a subject before, and the thought kind of scares me. Obviously you can't take Biology, A&P I, and A&P II in the same semester, so if I don't clep it will take me 3 semesters to finish these classes. I have already been in college for 2 years. I still have all of my notes and my book from my previous Biology class.

What do you think I should do? Have you ever taken a CLEP test? How did you prepare? What happens if you fail the CLEP test? Does it go on your academic record or are you just out 70 dollars?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatric Intensive Care, Urgent Care.

I clepped Spanish I and Spanish II for 8 credits. I needed two semesters of a foreign language so i just clepped them. Even though i was raised in the US my parents made sure i was truly bilingual...i read, write and speak spanish like a native so i didn't see any reason to sit through spanish classes. I just paid my tuition for the 8 credits which in my case it's actually less than when you actually sit through the course. It was a computer exam and thats it.

jc

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I've clepped us history, american government, and taken human growth and development in a notes only class (before they had internet classes) get a clep practice book (pretty cheap on ebay or half (dot) com)--hope that's okay to put down, and take the practice test, and see how you do.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in A variety.

I have taken the CLEP test for English Comp with Essay 1 and 2, I am SO glad that I did that. I am planning on taking the CLEP test for human growth and development also. It will help make my life a little less hectic :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Cardiac Care.

I passed my Psychology CLEP a couple of weeks ago. I used the REA preparation review book. I'm currently reviewing for the Sociology CLEP. I bought the books from Amazon.com.

Since only the credits awarded are transferred into your record (not your grade), I wouldn't think that anyone would know if you failed the exam. But I don't know this. I'd check with your college.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Clep tests don't go on your permanent record for a grade...but they give you credit for the classif you pass and NOTHING if you don't. It's a win-win.

So for $70, I would try to nail it. All you have to lose is $70

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatric Intensive Care, Urgent Care.

Ditto to what everyone has said...just make sure if your going for your BSN and are transfering that the university you are transfering to accepts CLEP credits...some private universities do not accept CLEP credits, so you'd be at square one if that was your school...but i think that the public ones mostly do.

jc

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thanks everyone.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

I agree CLEPs are awesome but I'd try the dept. chair and see if you can't talk your way into A&P first. That pre-req rule seems pretty ridiculous to me.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Sociology.

Spend the $70.

As to talking to the cahir, he might lem him in, but the nursing dep't might not accept it. They can be a tad bit inflexible, y'know?

CLEP it.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatric Intensive Care, Urgent Care.

i agree w/ previous post...nursing departments tend to be extremely inflexible so CLEP it just to be safe.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hi,

I actually clepped the Biology exam for the same reasons that you are talking about. Way back when, I took a very intense "Human Biology class" with a lab. When I declared my major, they wouldn't accept that as a general science, so then I took General Biology, but without a lab. Now, 20 years later, they tell me I need General Biology with a lab, and I have 7 worthless credits.

So, anyway, I got an old edition of the textbook they use at my school on ebay for about $5, and the REA preparation guide. If you can pass the practice tests, you should be good to go.

Honestly, when I took the actual test, I thought I failed, because I am a slower reader, so I skipped any question with a lot of verbage - and then ran out of time at the end. I ended up getting a 65 (50 is usually passing) by randomly guessing at least 12 questions. (I can't remember how many total there were).

Anyway, I would highly recommend this route. I was able to apply for the nursing program a whole semester earlier, and also saved a few hundred dollars and lots of class/lab time, too!

But like everyone said, check with your school to see if they accept it. Many do, but better be safe than sorry.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion