Tips on how to get 70+ on clep chemistry?

[indigoshuffle]

What is the score requirement for AP?  I think it would be MUCH easier to get a 4 on the AP than a 70 on this CLEP.  Anything beyond 60 is really just playing trivial pursuit.  Also, it's not unusual for a college that accepts a score of 50 to also award 8 credits.

Edit to add, I can't stop thinking about your question.   You won't find people on this board who have scored a 70 on that exam.  It just isn't happening.  The pass rate on that exam is very low anyway, only around 1/3 pass with a 50.  (you've already hit that benchmark - congratulations!)  Maybe they've set it as a 70 on accident?  Perhaps they mean 70% and someone goofed when they entered it into the computer (a 70% would = 50 scaled score = passing) but maybe the college just doesn't want to give away $tuition x 8?  Also a possibility.   Do they have unreachable thresholds for their other CLEPs too?  College Board puts out a chart that shows "B" grade levels (unofficially) and Chemistry's is 65.  So, seriously, I think you need an alternative plan.

Hello, I don't know the AP score requirement in my university and the problem is AP is held in May only but I need to graduate in August, so I think taking AP instead is more unrealistic for me right now. I believe they set the cutoff correctly, it's a 70+ for every clep science exams if students want to get 8 credit hours.

Just out of curiosity... what happened?

I'm not OP, but my school has a similar policy of requiring 70+ in order to get all 6 lecture credits and 2 lab credits for chemistry. (You get 4 credits for 60+)

I just took the test (today) and got a score of 78. So it is definitely possible to do it! I saw this thread when I first started studying so I figured I'd give some encouragement to anyone in the future who comes across it. For reference, I took roughly one semesters worth of intro chem in high school (not that I remembered much of it). The rest was self study (I'd say approximately 60-70 hours worth)

I suspect the exam has gotten slightly easier since a lot of the posters took it (at least based on the pass rates going slightly up). But no doubt, it is still quite a difficult exam and should not be underestimated, particularly if you need a 70+.

holy crap - wow.  That's almost a perfect score.  You seriously have only taken 1 semester of high school chem prior?  Nothing college level?  What about other sciences like bio or physics?  I'm seriously impressed.  I didn't take chem in high school, so before even thinking about General Chem at the college level I took Intro Chem w/lab (did well, scored an A) but it was hard enough that I took the MCAT off my calendar and replaced it with the HESI (almost a perfect score) so I don't think I'm an idiot, but you are seriously amazing!!

Per my prior suggestion, any interest in taking the chemistry GRE?  I think Charter Oak stilll allows that to fill an entire major with a high enough score.  Wayyyy back in the archives, it wasn't that unusual for members here to use the GRE at Charter Oak for their major.  Just musing....

Edit myself to say - yep, it's still worth 24 credits if you can hit 40% https://www.charteroak.edu/catalog/curre...m-list.pdf

And for fun:
Additionally, this is how they break down the Chemistry GRE;


A concentration designated as Chemistry may be established in one of two ways:
Option 1. A minimum of 39 credits, at the appropriate levels, in the following subjects:
[TABLE]
[TR]
[TD]Introductory Chemistry with laboratory[/TD]
[TD]8cr[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Organic Chemistry with laboratory (not upper level credits)[/TD]
[TD]8cr[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Inorganic Chemistry with/without laboratory[/TD]
[TD]3-4cr[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Physical Chemistry with/without laboratory[/TD]
[TD]3-4cr[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Instrumental Analysis[/TD]
[TD]4cr[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Calculus[/TD]
[TD]6-8cr[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Physics[/TD]
[TD]4cr[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Capstone[/TD]
[TD]3cr[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

At least one upper level course in addition to instrumentation must include a laboratory (physical, inorganic, advanced organic or biochemistry).
Option 2. The GRE Subject Test in Chemistry evaluated at 24 credits (15 lower, 9 upper), plus at least 12 additional credits. Because the GRE does not include any laboratory component, students who use this option are required to complete two upper level laboratory courses; at least one of the these should be a laboratory course in instrumentation unless the student meets this outcome through job experience, plus 3 credit capstone.

This is amazing information. I hope someone takes advantage of this. Way better than going into debt.
Are you applying to med school? I MIGHT be looking at that in the future. I've discovered that there are actually medical schools that accept CLEP in the sciences over on the student doctor forums.