https://degreeforum.net/mybb/ Sun, 25 Oct 2026 13:22:39 +0000 MyBB https://degreeforum.net/mybb/Thread-Clep-Exam-Tips Mon, 22 Sep 2008 19:12:37 +0000 sgloer]]> https://degreeforum.net/mybb/Thread-Clep-Exam-Tips Clep Testing Tips and What to Expect on Test Day

Studying for the CLEP Exam is only half of the battle. Even after studying the best CLEP prep materials available, you’re going to encounter unfamiliar material on the exam. That’s why good test-taking skills go a long way—they’re usually what differentiate a person who barely passes from one who barely fails.

Time Management

Probably the biggest problem many test-takers have is poor time management. Every question on your test is worth the same number of points. Therefore, it makes no sense to spend too much time on any one question—your goal is to rack up as many points as you can before your time runs out.

The most common strategy is simple. On the computer-based tests, you have a “Mark” button to mark questions that you want to come back to later. If you have absolutely no idea what the answer to a question is, then mark it and move on. Knock out all of the easy and average-difficulty questions first; save all of the hard questions for the end when you have time left over.

NEVER Change Your Answer

Another common mistake test-takers make is that they second-guess themselves. 90% of the time, your first instinct is correct. These tests are not designed to be super tricky—if one answer initially tickles you as correct, it generally is. Resist the urge to go back and change answers; studies show that your first choice has a much higher chance of being correct!

Do NOT Leave Any Questions Unanswered

Each right answer is worth one point. Each wrong answer is worth exactly the same amount as each non-answer—that’s right, they’re both worth ZERO points. There is no penalty for wrong answers! Therefore, at the end of the test, make sure that you’ve selected something for every single question.

DON’T Get Discouraged

On a difficult exam, you might find yourself marking half of the questions because you have no idea what the answer is. Do NOT get discouraged! Keep following good test-taking strategy and finish the test. Remember, you can generally get quite a few questions wrong and still come away with a passing score.

NEVER Cancel Your Score

At the end of the test, you’ll be given the option to cancel your score. The only thing canceling your score does for you is throw away all of your hard work! Practically none of the colleges record failed CLEP test scores. Canceling your score means you’ll never know if you passed, and you’ll still have to wait SIX months to take the test again!

The Day of the Test

Make sure you get plenty of rest, eat a light meal, and relax. A big, heavy meal right before the test is not a good idea as it could make you drowsy. As for the test itself, if this is your first exam, don’t worry! Before the test starts, you’ll be given the option of working through a tutorial with sample questions so that you can get a feel for how the CLEP testing software works.]]> Clep Testing Tips and What to Expect on Test Day

Studying for the CLEP Exam is only half of the battle. Even after studying the best CLEP prep materials available, you’re going to encounter unfamiliar material on the exam. That’s why good test-taking skills go a long way—they’re usually what differentiate a person who barely passes from one who barely fails.

Time Management

Probably the biggest problem many test-takers have is poor time management. Every question on your test is worth the same number of points. Therefore, it makes no sense to spend too much time on any one question—your goal is to rack up as many points as you can before your time runs out.

The most common strategy is simple. On the computer-based tests, you have a “Mark” button to mark questions that you want to come back to later. If you have absolutely no idea what the answer to a question is, then mark it and move on. Knock out all of the easy and average-difficulty questions first; save all of the hard questions for the end when you have time left over.

NEVER Change Your Answer

Another common mistake test-takers make is that they second-guess themselves. 90% of the time, your first instinct is correct. These tests are not designed to be super tricky—if one answer initially tickles you as correct, it generally is. Resist the urge to go back and change answers; studies show that your first choice has a much higher chance of being correct!

Do NOT Leave Any Questions Unanswered

Each right answer is worth one point. Each wrong answer is worth exactly the same amount as each non-answer—that’s right, they’re both worth ZERO points. There is no penalty for wrong answers! Therefore, at the end of the test, make sure that you’ve selected something for every single question.

DON’T Get Discouraged

On a difficult exam, you might find yourself marking half of the questions because you have no idea what the answer is. Do NOT get discouraged! Keep following good test-taking strategy and finish the test. Remember, you can generally get quite a few questions wrong and still come away with a passing score.

NEVER Cancel Your Score

At the end of the test, you’ll be given the option to cancel your score. The only thing canceling your score does for you is throw away all of your hard work! Practically none of the colleges record failed CLEP test scores. Canceling your score means you’ll never know if you passed, and you’ll still have to wait SIX months to take the test again!

The Day of the Test

Make sure you get plenty of rest, eat a light meal, and relax. A big, heavy meal right before the test is not a good idea as it could make you drowsy. As for the test itself, if this is your first exam, don’t worry! Before the test starts, you’ll be given the option of working through a tutorial with sample questions so that you can get a feel for how the CLEP testing software works.]]> https://degreeforum.net/mybb/Thread-Clep-Prep Mon, 22 Sep 2008 19:01:04 +0000 sgloer]]> https://degreeforum.net/mybb/Thread-Clep-Prep How To Prepare for CLEP Exams

Clep prep is not necessarily focused solely on one individual method of preparing for the CLEP exams.  You have to find the approach that works for you.  Below are some guidelines to help you to determine your own CLEP prep strategy.

The Universal First Step - The DegreeForum.net Discussion Forum

Many forum members have stated that regardless of what resources they used to prepare for their exams, the single most crucial resource was this forum.  Spend five minutes reading user feedback for the exam you're about to take and learn:

1. What resources are the most "on-the-mark" for this specific exam.
   
2. What topics you need to focus your studies on
   
3. How difficult this particular exam is. That way you don't under or over prepare.
   

Just use the "search" function here on the forum to find feedback specific to the CLEP test you're studying for.

You'll see that there's a wide variety of paper-based and online CLEP study resources available for CLEP prep purposes.  That being said, the majority of forum members use a combination of the InstantCert Study Guides and one or two other resources to prepare for their CLEP exams. Be sure to do a search of this forum (either using the forum search function or using Google) to find additional resources and guidelines on CLEP testing available.

Below are some of the most commonly used resources along with recommendations for how to use them most effectively.

Using InstantCert

InstantCert is a paid subscription service that offers CLEP test study guides in the form of fill-in-the-blank flashcards.  Many forum members report successfully passing most or all of their exams using only InstantCert.  This approach is suitable for you if:

1. You're a decent test-taker
   
2. You're happy with a passing score -- you're not looking to max out the test.
   

While InstantCert teaches you everything you need to achieve a passing score on the CLEP tests, it does not hand you a copy of the exam.  Here's how to get the most out of the flashcards:

1. The first time you go through the flashcards, you are not expected to know any of the answers.  Just read the question, think about what the answer might be, and then click Continue to read the explanation
   
2. Always read the explanation, even if you already know what goes in the blank.  Many times, information in the explanation will be critical to getting an answer right on the actual CLEP test.
   

Prep time varies for each person, but generally after three or four times of going through the cards you will find yourself retaining a lot of the information.  Keep going through the flashcards until you feel comfortable with the material.

Petersons Sample Tests

The resource most commonly used to supplement InstantCert is the Petersons sample tests.

For most exams, you probably would not want to use the Petersons tests as your only source of preparation, but they're a great supplemental resource since they mirror the actual exam format.  Don't just use them as a way to gauge how prepared you are--use them as an additional study guide for CLEP.  Study the questions carefully and boost your score by a few points on the actual exam.

Update (5/28/2020): Since the writing of this post, Petersons has significantly raised their prices. If you would rather not spend all of that money, search this forum for other cheaper or free resources to use instead.

Wikipedia

After you've completed all of your other preparation, use any extra time you have left to do some reading on Wikipedia.  The user feedback on this forum generally includes topics that users recommend that you be familiar with.  You do not need to do any in-depth study on these topics; just look them up on Wikipedia and spend a few minutes skimming the information.

Other Resources

In general, the above CLEP prep resources are more than enough to get you through all of your exams.  If you want more options, read the user feedback on the exam you're studying for and you'll see other resources that members have found effective; for example, for a particular exam, some may report that a Spark Notes guide or an REA study guide was better than any other CLEP test study guide that they used.]]> How To Prepare for CLEP Exams

Clep prep is not necessarily focused solely on one individual method of preparing for the CLEP exams.  You have to find the approach that works for you.  Below are some guidelines to help you to determine your own CLEP prep strategy.

The Universal First Step - The DegreeForum.net Discussion Forum

Many forum members have stated that regardless of what resources they used to prepare for their exams, the single most crucial resource was this forum.  Spend five minutes reading user feedback for the exam you're about to take and learn:

1. What resources are the most "on-the-mark" for this specific exam.
   
2. What topics you need to focus your studies on
   
3. How difficult this particular exam is. That way you don't under or over prepare.
   

Just use the "search" function here on the forum to find feedback specific to the CLEP test you're studying for.

You'll see that there's a wide variety of paper-based and online CLEP study resources available for CLEP prep purposes.  That being said, the majority of forum members use a combination of the InstantCert Study Guides and one or two other resources to prepare for their CLEP exams. Be sure to do a search of this forum (either using the forum search function or using Google) to find additional resources and guidelines on CLEP testing available.

Below are some of the most commonly used resources along with recommendations for how to use them most effectively.

Using InstantCert

InstantCert is a paid subscription service that offers CLEP test study guides in the form of fill-in-the-blank flashcards.  Many forum members report successfully passing most or all of their exams using only InstantCert.  This approach is suitable for you if:

1. You're a decent test-taker
   
2. You're happy with a passing score -- you're not looking to max out the test.
   

While InstantCert teaches you everything you need to achieve a passing score on the CLEP tests, it does not hand you a copy of the exam.  Here's how to get the most out of the flashcards:

1. The first time you go through the flashcards, you are not expected to know any of the answers.  Just read the question, think about what the answer might be, and then click Continue to read the explanation
   
2. Always read the explanation, even if you already know what goes in the blank.  Many times, information in the explanation will be critical to getting an answer right on the actual CLEP test.
   

Prep time varies for each person, but generally after three or four times of going through the cards you will find yourself retaining a lot of the information.  Keep going through the flashcards until you feel comfortable with the material.

Petersons Sample Tests

The resource most commonly used to supplement InstantCert is the Petersons sample tests.

For most exams, you probably would not want to use the Petersons tests as your only source of preparation, but they're a great supplemental resource since they mirror the actual exam format.  Don't just use them as a way to gauge how prepared you are--use them as an additional study guide for CLEP.  Study the questions carefully and boost your score by a few points on the actual exam.

Update (5/28/2020): Since the writing of this post, Petersons has significantly raised their prices. If you would rather not spend all of that money, search this forum for other cheaper or free resources to use instead.

Wikipedia

After you've completed all of your other preparation, use any extra time you have left to do some reading on Wikipedia.  The user feedback on this forum generally includes topics that users recommend that you be familiar with.  You do not need to do any in-depth study on these topics; just look them up on Wikipedia and spend a few minutes skimming the information.

Other Resources

In general, the above CLEP prep resources are more than enough to get you through all of your exams.  If you want more options, read the user feedback on the exam you're studying for and you'll see other resources that members have found effective; for example, for a particular exam, some may report that a Spark Notes guide or an REA study guide was better than any other CLEP test study guide that they used.]]> https://degreeforum.net/mybb/Thread-CLEP-Test-Guide-for-CLEP-Exam Wed, 20 Jun 2007 13:32:08 +0000 sgloer]]> https://degreeforum.net/mybb/Thread-CLEP-Test-Guide-for-CLEP-Exam
A CLEP Test is mostly 90 minutes long test that mostly includes multiple-choice questions or fill-ins, except for English Composition with Essay. The current fee for a CLEP test is $60 ($65, effective July 1, 2007), but a CLEP test is free for the members of military services. A CLEP test is based on the syllabus taught in courses that are taken by most students as requirements in the first two years of college. A CLEP test may be based on one-semester course or full-year or two-year course.

A CLEP test helps the students save time. They can get college credit for what they already know. They get rewarded for what they have learned through independent study advanced high school courses, noncredit adult courses, or professional development. A CLEP test helps the students save money. The cost of a CLEP exam is just $65, which is nothing as compared to hundreds, even thousands of dollars spent in tuitions. The test is free for military service members. A CLEP test helps making college more interesting; the students can move right into advanced courses. A CLEP test can help students to complete their graduation timely, if they are just a few credits away from graduating. A CLEP test helps the students demonstrate their knowledge and proficiency.

Over 2,900 colleges and universities accept CLEP General and Subject tests for credits. The American Council on Education (ACE) recommends minimum score for awarding credit. The institutions determine the standard of acceptable score and the amount of credit granted for each CLEP test.

Presently, CLEP test are available in Business, Composition and Literature, Foreign Languages, History and Social Sciences, and Science and Mathematics. A business CLEP test can help earning 3 to 6 credits; Composition and Literature CLEP test can help earning 6 credits; Foreign Languages CLEP test can help earning 6 to 18 credits; History and Social Sciences CLEP test can help earning 3 to 6 credits; and Science and Mathematics can help earning 3 to 6 credits.]]>
A CLEP Test is mostly 90 minutes long test that mostly includes multiple-choice questions or fill-ins, except for English Composition with Essay. The current fee for a CLEP test is $60 ($65, effective July 1, 2007), but a CLEP test is free for the members of military services. A CLEP test is based on the syllabus taught in courses that are taken by most students as requirements in the first two years of college. A CLEP test may be based on one-semester course or full-year or two-year course.

A CLEP test helps the students save time. They can get college credit for what they already know. They get rewarded for what they have learned through independent study advanced high school courses, noncredit adult courses, or professional development. A CLEP test helps the students save money. The cost of a CLEP exam is just $65, which is nothing as compared to hundreds, even thousands of dollars spent in tuitions. The test is free for military service members. A CLEP test helps making college more interesting; the students can move right into advanced courses. A CLEP test can help students to complete their graduation timely, if they are just a few credits away from graduating. A CLEP test helps the students demonstrate their knowledge and proficiency.

Over 2,900 colleges and universities accept CLEP General and Subject tests for credits. The American Council on Education (ACE) recommends minimum score for awarding credit. The institutions determine the standard of acceptable score and the amount of credit granted for each CLEP test.

Presently, CLEP test are available in Business, Composition and Literature, Foreign Languages, History and Social Sciences, and Science and Mathematics. A business CLEP test can help earning 3 to 6 credits; Composition and Literature CLEP test can help earning 6 credits; Foreign Languages CLEP test can help earning 6 to 18 credits; History and Social Sciences CLEP test can help earning 3 to 6 credits; and Science and Mathematics can help earning 3 to 6 credits.]]> https://degreeforum.net/mybb/Thread-CLEP-General-Guide-for-newbies Wed, 20 Jun 2007 13:30:10 +0000 sgloer]]> https://degreeforum.net/mybb/Thread-CLEP-General-Guide-for-newbies
Over 2,900 colleges and universities accept CLEP General and Subject exams for credits. A CLEP test or exam helps the US students in high schools or universities to win credits for the successful completion of their respective courses for each academic term. A CLEP test covers the syllabus taught in courses that are taken by most students, as requirements in the first two years of college.

The CLEP tests may have different designs or patterns; some correspond to one-semester courses and some correspond to full-year or two-year courses. The pattern or design is usually given in a CLEP exam's description. Generally, a CLEP test is intended to cover material in a one-semester course. A CLEP test is usually 90 minutes long, and except for English Composition with Essay, a CLEP test mostly includes multiple-choice questions or fill-ins.

The minimum score for awarding credit is recommended by the American Council on Education (ACE), but the standard of acceptable score and the amount of credit granted for each CLEP test is determined by the institutions concerned. Usually, a college or University grants the same amount of credit to students earning satisfactory scores on the CLEP test as it grants to students successfully completing that course.

The CLEP tests are managed by the College Board, a not-for-profit examination board in the United States. Founded in the 19th century, the College Board also manages standardized tests, such as the SAT, PSAT/NMSQT, CLEP, ACCUPLACER, and the subject-specific SAT Subject Tests and Advanced Placement tests.

The current fee for a CLEP test is $60 ($65, effective July 1, 2007); however the CLEP tests are free for Military personnel. The College Board brought in a computer-based version of the CLEP tests at national test centers at colleges and universities in July 2001. There are now over 1300 colleges and universities that administer the CLEP eCBT tests. On Feb 16 2004, DANTES up-front funding of the CLEP eCBT test fee for eligible military and civilian examinees at national test centers. However, DANTES does not fund the advance, non-refundable registration fee that is charged by national test centers to reserve a date and time for testing. The examinee is responsible for paying this fee that ranges from $15 to $25 per test.]]>
Over 2,900 colleges and universities accept CLEP General and Subject exams for credits. A CLEP test or exam helps the US students in high schools or universities to win credits for the successful completion of their respective courses for each academic term. A CLEP test covers the syllabus taught in courses that are taken by most students, as requirements in the first two years of college.

The CLEP tests may have different designs or patterns; some correspond to one-semester courses and some correspond to full-year or two-year courses. The pattern or design is usually given in a CLEP exam's description. Generally, a CLEP test is intended to cover material in a one-semester course. A CLEP test is usually 90 minutes long, and except for English Composition with Essay, a CLEP test mostly includes multiple-choice questions or fill-ins.

The minimum score for awarding credit is recommended by the American Council on Education (ACE), but the standard of acceptable score and the amount of credit granted for each CLEP test is determined by the institutions concerned. Usually, a college or University grants the same amount of credit to students earning satisfactory scores on the CLEP test as it grants to students successfully completing that course.

The CLEP tests are managed by the College Board, a not-for-profit examination board in the United States. Founded in the 19th century, the College Board also manages standardized tests, such as the SAT, PSAT/NMSQT, CLEP, ACCUPLACER, and the subject-specific SAT Subject Tests and Advanced Placement tests.

The current fee for a CLEP test is $60 ($65, effective July 1, 2007); however the CLEP tests are free for Military personnel. The College Board brought in a computer-based version of the CLEP tests at national test centers at colleges and universities in July 2001. There are now over 1300 colleges and universities that administer the CLEP eCBT tests. On Feb 16 2004, DANTES up-front funding of the CLEP eCBT test fee for eligible military and civilian examinees at national test centers. However, DANTES does not fund the advance, non-refundable registration fee that is charged by national test centers to reserve a date and time for testing. The examinee is responsible for paying this fee that ranges from $15 to $25 per test.]]>