CLEP Testing Has Proven to Be Beneficial For Busy College Students Taking On Multiple Responsibilities Outside the Classroom

Gone are the days were traditional college students are focused only on their education. College students are now forced to take on many more responsibilities, CLEP testing has proved a very useful tool. These additional responsibilities include family, community/religious involvement, work (both full-time and part-time), and multiple extra-curricular activities. CLEP tests have made time management much easier for these time-stretched students. CLEP exams also allow students to lighten their overall coursework, bypass general requirements, save thousands of dollars, and take home a degree much sooner.

One way that CLEP tests are utilized by students are to bypass introductory coursework to gain access to more interesting, advanced classes. CLEP exams are also used to bypass sitting through generic requirements that lie outside a students major. For example, an economics student can pass an American Government CLEP test to bypass their political science requirement. CLEP tests are also used by students nearing graduation to gain credit for introductory classes outside their major in order to reduce their last years course load so that they have more time to focus on graduation, internships, and beginning their post-graduate career.

The standard CLEP test takes only 90 minutes and will cover the information that would be covered in the first two years (introductory years) of college and are only $70. The College Board, who is the governing body of CLEP tests, currently have 34 unique CLEP exams which cover a wide range of topics. As they have continued to expand, CLEP testing centers are offered within driving distance of any college student. In fact, CLEP testing centers are even available on some military bases. Additionally, almost 3,000 colleges and universities accept CLEP scores as a replacement for traditional college classes.

CLEP tests are especially useful for adults who are getting their college education and already have the required knowledge from their work experience. CLEP exams are also widely utilized by students from other countries to gain foreign language credits.

In order to prepare for CLEP tests, students have many options including: comprehensive CLEP study guides, CLEP study software, and even CLEP online study services. There are even CD's, DVD's, and textbooks dedicated to helping a student to excel in their CLEP exams.

Before any student actually takes a CLEP test, it is important to have a conversation with their advisor. Many universities and colleges have different rules about course each CLEP test can replace as well as what CLEP tests are accepted, if any, by the institution. Academic advisors also will be able to assist the student with which CLEP study materials will be most effective for each student.