Military personnel Can Use CLEP Exams To Work Toward Their Undergraduate Degree Completion

CLEP, College Level Examination Program, is a series of exams that students can take in order to demonstrate college level proficiency in a variety of subjects, such as history, English, and math. Each satisfactory CLEP score can result in the student gaining between three and twelve college credits. Because students can prepare for and take these exams as their schedules permit, CLEP exams offer great flexibility to students who wish to obtain a college degree. Even though an individual may not currently be enrolled in a college or university, he or she can still take CLEP exams and transfer credits earned through these exams when he or she does enroll in a higher learning institution. With over 2,900 colleges and universities accepting CLEP, students are likely to find that they, too, can use CLEP exams to work toward their desired degree. While individuals from all walks of life take CLEP exams, military personnel are one group who can benefit from CLEP in a unique way.

While some military personnel are able to pursue a college degree while actively in the service through attending college classes in person or online, other military personnel do not have the time to attend classes due to their work schedule, deployment status, or other prohibitive circumstance. CLEP exams are an excellent resource for military personnel who are either currently pursuing an undergraduate degree or who wish to pursue a degree in the future. Military personnel can study for and take CLEP exams as their schedules allow and begin earning valuable credits toward their desired degree. Individuals who have little or no background knowledge of a subject can often prepare for a CLEP test in as little as a few weeks of diligent preparation. Study resources include CLEP study guides, practice CLEP tests, online study resources, and college textbooks.

The U.S. government allows active duty and reserve military personnel and other eligible civilian government employees to take CLEP exams for free (a small registration fee applies for CLEP exams taken on college campuses). Military personnel can choose to take CLEP exams at College Test Centers on designated military bases, certain college campuses, and Dantes Education Centers. With testing centers being located within the U.S. and abroad, military personnel are often able to take CLEP exams even while deployed.

Military personnel who choose to take their CLEP test at a testing center on a college campus or military base will be able to take any of the 34 different CLEP exams in a computerized testing format and will receive their score immediately after completing the exam. The list of current CLEP testing centers located on college campuses as well as information about the registration process can be found on CLEP's official website, www.collegeboard.com. If they choose to test at a Dantes Education Center, military personnel will be able to take 14 different CLEP tests in a pencil-and-paper format and will receive their score in approximately six weeks after the testing date. Educational Services Officers and Navy College Education Specialists can provide valuable information such as military base and Dantes Educational Center testing locations and registration instructions.

CLEP can provide an excellent way for military personnel to work toward their undergraduate degree in a cost-effective and time-efficient manner. Military personnel are encouraged to contact the College Board, their Educational Service Officers or Navy College Education Specialists, and their college academic advisor for further information on CLEP.

Many military personnel in the United States military find that CLEP tests and CLEP exams are an excellent way to work toward their college degree while at home or abroad.