$90
Per CLEP exam
34
Available exams
2,900+
Accepting schools
What Is CLEP?
CLEP (College-Level Examination Program) is a series of 34 standardized exams administered by the College Board. Each exam covers a full semester of introductory college coursework. Pass the exam, earn the credits — without sitting through the class.
Over 2,900 colleges and universities accept CLEP credits, including most state schools, community colleges, and many private institutions. The program has been running since 1967, and over 33 million exams have been taken.
CLEP is not a shortcut — it's a smarter path. You still need to know the material. You just don't need to pay $1,500 and spend 16 weeks proving it.
The Math That Changes Everything
Here's what one college course costs vs. one CLEP exam:
| Expense | University Course | CLEP Exam |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition (3 credits) | $1,500 | $90 |
| Textbook | $100–$200 | $0 (free study) |
| Time commitment | 16 weeks | 90 minutes |
| Total cost | $1,600–$1,700 | $90 |
Now scale that up. Most students can realistically pass 5 to 8 CLEP exams:
5 exams
$7,550+
saved
8 exams
$12,000+
saved
10 exams
$15,000+
saved
The 5 Easiest CLEP Exams to Pass
These exams have the highest pass rates and cover material most students already know from high school or everyday life:
1Introductory Sociology
If you understand how society works — social norms, institutions, inequality — you already know half of this.
2American Government
The three branches, the Constitution, how elections work. High school civics covers most of it.
3Introductory Psychology
The most popular CLEP exam. Covers memory, learning, development, and disorders. Fascinating material.
4College Mathematics
Not calculus. This covers algebra, probability, logic, and sets. Worth 6 credits at many schools.
5American Literature
If you're a reader, this exam rewards general knowledge of major American authors and literary periods.
How to Study for Free
Modern States: Free Courses + Free Exam Voucher
Modern States is a nonprofit that offers free online courses for every CLEP exam. Complete the course and they give you a voucher that covers the $90 exam fee. That means you can earn college credit for literally $0.
Other free study resources:
- Khan Academy — covers math, psychology, economics, and more
- YouTube — CrashCourse and Professor Leonard for exam-specific prep
- Quizlet — thousands of free CLEP flashcard sets made by other test-takers
- Your local library — REA and Peterson's CLEP study guides, free to borrow
Step-by-Step: How to Take a CLEP Exam
Check if your target school accepts CLEP
Use College Decoded's Credit Lab to see which CLEPs your school accepts and what scores they require.
Register at College Board
Create a CLEP account at clep.collegeboard.org. You'll need this to schedule and send scores.
Study for 2-4 weeks
Use Modern States (free), Khan Academy, or YouTube. Most exams take 2-4 weeks of casual study.
Find a test center
CLEP exams are offered at 2,000+ Pearson VUE testing centers and on military bases. Schedule online.
Test day: 90 minutes
Bring a valid photo ID. The exam is computer-based. Most exams are 100 multiple-choice questions in 90 minutes.
Get your score immediately
For most exams, you'll see your score on screen as soon as you finish. A score of 50+ (on a 20-80 scale) is passing.
Send scores to your school
You can send scores during registration or later through your CLEP account. There's a small fee per score report.
Who Should Take CLEP
High School Students
Earn college credits before you even start. Arrive at college with a semester already done.
Adult Learners
Your life experience counts. Adults often pass sociology, psychology, and business exams with minimal study.
Military Members
CLEP is completely free through DANTES. Many service members earn 30+ credits while serving.
Homeschoolers
CLEP provides an objective, widely-accepted way to demonstrate college-level knowledge.
Career Changers
Knock out gen-ed requirements quickly so you can focus on your new major.
Budget-Conscious Families
At $90 per exam (or $0 through Modern States), CLEP is the single best ROI in education.
Military Members: CLEP Is FREE Through DANTES
Active duty, Guard, and Reserve members can take CLEP exams completely free through the DANTES (Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support) program. No limit on how many exams you take.
Many military bases have on-site testing centers. Some service members have earned 30+ credits through CLEP alone, covering an entire year of college before using a single day of GI Bill benefits.
Learn more about maximizing military education benefits in our GI Bill guide.
Stacking CLEP with AP & Dual Enrollment
CLEP doesn't have to stand alone. The smartest students stack multiple credit sources to maximize savings:
| Credit Source | Cost per 3 Credits | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| CLEP | $90 (or $0) | Gen-ed subjects |
| AP Exams | $98 | Subjects offered at your school |
| Dual Enrollment | $0–$300 | Subjects not covered by CLEP/AP |
| University Course | $1,500+ | Major-specific courses only |
A strategic combination can cover your entire freshman year. Check out our AP vs. CLEP guide for a detailed comparison of when to use each.
How CD's Credit Lab Shows Which Schools Accept Which CLEPs
The hardest part of CLEP isn't the exam — it's figuring out which schools accept which exams and what scores they require. Acceptance policies vary wildly. One school might accept Intro Psychology with a score of 50, while another requires 60, and a third doesn't accept it at all.
College Decoded's Credit Lab solves this by letting you search CLEP acceptance policies across 3,000+ schools in seconds. See exactly which exams each school accepts, what scores you need, and how many credits you'll earn.
On average, students using our Credit Lab identify $7,500–$20,000 in potential savings from CLEP, AP, and dual enrollment credit stacking.
Build Your CLEP Strategy
See exactly which CLEP exams your target schools accept, what scores you need, and how much you'll save. Our Credit Lab does the research for you.
Open Credit Lab