Will CLEP scores show up on transcript?

[Reagan]

I plan on applying to grad school once I get my BA and I was wondering if my CLEP scores could impact whether/where I get accepted. I know that generally that type of thing doesn't matter, but generally one doesn't test out of the bulk of a degree.

Do these things matter? Does getting a '92' on an exam create and advantages that a '50' would not get?

[nick94]

What I've heard is all CLEPs are pass/fail and are not given a grade. Some colleges will only give credit though if you get above a certain score. Passing score is (normally) 50, highest is 80, and lowest is 20.

Most DSSTs are graded though so just a head's Up!

[perrik]

I plan on applying to grad school once I get my BA and I was wondering if my CLEP scores could impact whether/where I get accepted. I know that generally that type of thing doesn't matter, but generally one doesn't test out of the bulk of a degree.

Do these things matter? Does getting a '92' on an exam create and advantages that a '50' would not get?

With CLEPs, a pass is a pass - barely squeak by, achieve a perfect score, it's a pass either way. At Excelsior, the only exceptions are the foreign language exams, where the number of credits awarded depends upon your score.

Excelsior gives letter grades for all ECE exams (except nursing clinicals) and many DSST exams, based on the ACE-recommended minimum passing score and scaled up based on EC's evaluation of the exam. Excelsior students taking the DSST History of the Vietnam War will get a C for scoring 44-46 points, a B for 47-52 points, and an A for 53 points and higher. No bonus points for scoring a perfect 80!

Offhand I don't know of any other school that gives letter grades for DSST. The TESC and COSC veterans may know otherwise?

A whole heck of a lot of Big 3 graduates have gone on to grad school, and some of them must have tested out of the overwhelming majority of their credits. The only school I've seen with a relevant official written policy is San Diego State University. Applicants must have at least 60 graded credits (at least 30 upper-level) with a 2.85 GPA, or must have both a 2.85 GPA on whatever graded credit exists AND written documentation that their classroom performance would meet the GPA standard (like a written evaluation by the faculty of your undergrad school). As SDSU is one of my top choices for grad school, and I'm an Excelsior student, I'm sticking strictly with DSSTs to get graded credit.

[marianne202]

Hi! On my EC transcript my CLEP exam show in the grade column as a P indicating I passed it and received credit, but next to the exam name it also includes my score so if another school wanted to apply a "grade" equivalent they would have the score to do that. I'm not sure it would matter, but it is there. My DSST exams give me a letter grade, but again they post the score received next to the name. I hope this helps.

[gregjohnson]

Some grad schools will ask you for your scores on required or core classes. For example, I applied to Marylhurst for MBA program. They will accept CLEP English Comp w/ Essay exam on your transcript, but only if your score is 60 or above, not just the "passing" 50. I've always advised one to be careful with the "pass is a pass" attitude- best to check w adviser of your intended grad school.

I hope this helps. Greg

[alissaroot]

Offhand I don't know of any other school that gives letter grades for DSST. The TESC and COSC veterans may know otherwise?

My current status report at COSC does include the numerical score for all my exams. All the CLEPS are Pass/Fail, like at EC, and all the DSSTs under the old scoring system are with letter grades. The DSSTs under the new scoring system are Pass/ Fail. However, there is an additional column I am not very familiar with, "Quality Points" which seems to be some sort of weighted system to give me a GPA? One thing to note, the cut off scores at COSC appear to be higher than EC. My score of "48" in Business Law II got me a "B" at EC, but it is a "C" at COSC. COSC does give you one month after your official enrollment to remove anything you want off of your transcript. That "C" is definitely going.

[Ruddigore]

Some grad schools will ask you for your scores on required or core classes. For example, I applied to Marylhurst for MBA program. They will accept CLEP English Comp w/ Essay exam on your transcript, but only if your score is 60 or above, not just the "passing" 50. I've always advised one to be careful with the "pass is a pass" attitude- best to check w adviser of your intended grad school.

Wise words. Trying to keep your scores at a certain level is definitely wise.

I know of an undergraduate school, Hillsdale College in Michigan, that only accepts 60 and above for any CLEP test.