Chemistry CLEP

[sanantone]

I am debating taking this exam. I can enter the graduate program I want to take with just Straighterline Chem, but the Patent Agent Bar accepts Chem CLEP, and it gives so many credits toward that. Chemistry is not my "wheelhouse". I took a lot of soil science, horticulture, geology, and botany. But chemistry is so formula heavy, that I am worried about memorizing them all without the instruction of a class. Maybe I will do both SL and CLEP. I am still unsure.

I don't see anything in the General Bulletin that says the Patent Bar will give credit for CLEP. They don't give credit for anything directly. It just uses CLEP as an example of special credit earning programs that could be used to meet the requirements if an accredited college awarded credit for the program. Technically, they'll accept anything, including Straighterline, if a college or university has awarded credit for it.

xiii. Other Education: Other education (e.g., foreign education, academic credit for
work experience, military education, life experience, etc.) is acceptable to the extent
objective evidence demonstrates the education is equivalent to that received at an
accredited U. S college or university in one of the subjects listed in Category A. For
example, such education may be met by one of the following showings:
a. The specific courses have been accepted for college-level credit in a Category A
subject by an accredited U.S. college or university because they would be creditable if
the student were to further his or her education at that institution.
b. The academic credit earned in a Category A subject earned through a special credit
program, such as the College Level Examination Program (CLEP), and an accredited
college or university has awarded credit.

http://www.uspto.gov/sites/default/files/OED_GRB.pdf