Retaking a CLEP Test of the Same Title

CLEP, College Level Examination Program, is an amazing way for students to quickly and affordably earn college credits without actually having to take the college course. CLEP exams are accepted by over 2,900 colleges and universities and administered at over 1,300 test centers across the U.S. and abroad. These computerized exams assess whether or not a student has knowledge of a subject equivalent to that of a student who has passed an introductory level undergraduate college course in the same subject. Students can take CLEP exams in a variety of subjects such as social sciences, science, mathematics, foreign language, composition, literature, business, and history. Obtaining qualifying scores on a CLEP exam can result in the student obtaining between three and six college credits.
While many students are able to obtain a satisfactory CLEP test score the first time they attempt a specific test, unfortunately, some students do not obtain their desired score the first time they take the exam. Students may make a lower than qualifying score for a variety of reasons such as failing to adequately prepare for the CLEP exam or utilizing poor test taking skills during the exam.
Students may wish to retake a CLEP examination of the same title for several different reasons. Some students may not earn a high enough score to obtain credits. Other students may have felt like they performed poorly on the exam and therefore, chose to void the test and not receive a CLEP score. Still other students may attend a college or university that grants a higher number of credits for a certain high CLEP score and therefore wish to retest in order to try for a higher score. Any student who wishes to retake a CLEP of the same title should first be aware of the policies set by the College Board, the company overseeing CLEP, before reattempting an exam.
Students cannot retake a CLEP exam of the same title within a six month (180 day) period. Should a student choose to violate the College Board's policies by retaking an exam of the same title within a six month period, his score will be invalidated and his testing fees will be non-refundable. In addition, if a candidate who is eligible for DANTES military funded CLEP exams retakes a test of the same title within a six month period, the student will be responsible for all testing fees as the government will not fund these exams. Although students may not repeat an exam of the same title within a six month time period, there is not a limit on the number of CLEP exams of different titles that students can take within any given period.
After the six month period has passed, students may retake a CLEP exam of the same title. Before reattempting an exam of the same title, the student should consider why he did not obtain a qualifying score the first time he attempted the CLEP. Did the student not study the correct material? Did he not thoroughly study for a long enough period of time? Was he under a lot of stress of fail to get a good night's sleep before the exam? After examining the possible reasons why he or she did not pass a CLEP exam, the student can determine a new study plan for achieving success when the exam is retaken.
Although no student likes failure, the ability to retake a CLEP exam offers the potential for future success. With each qualifying CLEP score, students become more confident in their testing abilities and reap the rewards of affordable, not nonetheless valuable, college credits.