Why Prepare for the CLEP Exam

Whether you are about to embark upon your college career or are returning to complete a degree, undertaking a program of CLEP study in preparation for the exam can be very beneficial. CLEP testing can yield considerable savings in time and money students of any age will appreciate.

Benefits of Taking the CLEP Exam

• Reduce college expenses – Since colleges either grant course credit our class exemption in return for successful CLEP testing, students can save money on tuition, text and class materials.
• Lighten your classload – A solid program of CLEP study and performance on the test reduces the amount of classes or credits required to obtain your degree.
• Obtain credit for accumulated experience – Knowledge gained on the job or through life experience matters. A successfully completed CLEP exam is solid recognition of this experience and its value.
• Receive exemption from basic courses – Students can exempt out of introductory classes as a result of successful CLEP study and exam completion. For those seeking a more specialized route of study, this can be a valuable benefit.
• Qualify for more challenging classes sooner – With the more rudimentary class requirements met as a result of a completed CLEP exam, students are eligible to take on more demanding or specialized classes earlier.
• Decrease the time needed to complete your degree- Possibly the most appealing benefit of passing the exam is that less time is required to earn a college degree. While adequate CLEP study is required in order to pass the test, this preparation takes less time than attending a class for a full semester.

Before You Take the Test

While there are many pros to taking the exam, adequate preparation is needed in order to pass it. A consistent and thorough CLEP study strategy is the key to successful testing.

There are a number of resources available to students preparing for the test. One of the most frequently used is the CLEP study guide. This includes an overview of the test, CLEP study tips and practice exam questions. Both a cumulative CLEP study guide and individual guides are available. Since the cumulative CLEP study guide includes information for every exam offered, it is the best choice for students expecting to sit for multiple exams. Those who only need to prepare for one or two exams will do fine with the individual guides.

Wayne Hemrick is dedicated to higher education. In this article he writes about clep testing.