CLEP Exams

Step 1: Pick a CLEP exam

You can test for any of the 34 introductory-level subject exams to earn credit toward your degree. However, most colleges and institutions only award credit for certain exams. Also, while you can earn credit on most exams by scoring 50+, your college or institution can determine alternate CLEP credit policies. 

To learn about which CLEP exams San Jac awards credit for, visit our Types of CLEP Exams section below. 

To have credit applied:

• You must earn at least three credit hours of coursework at San Jac before CLEP credit can be posted on your transcript. 
• You cannot earn more than 30 credit hours toward a degree from CLEP in combination with other credit by examination scores. 
• You will not receive CLEP credit for a course you already earned a grade for (A, B, C, D, F, FX, W, WL, or I).

Note: *If you score between 50-62 on any language exam, San Jac will award eight credit hours for 1411 and 1412 courses. If you score 63+ on any language exam, San Jac will award an additional six hours for 2311 and 2312 courses.

Before attempting to test, please confirm your college or institution's CLEP testing policy. You can also review College Board's information about CLEP scores.

Step 2: Registering for Your Exam

When you register for an exam, you can choose where to send your scores. Make sure to meet with your chosen college or institution to discuss your official scores and how they can be used for college credit. If you choose to have your scores sent to San Jac, in most cases after testing you can meet with an advisor to review your unofficial scores.

Are you eligible to receive testing accommodations? You need to confirm what accommodations CLEP can provide. To learn about the accommodations that can be applied to this exam, please meet with Accessibility Services.

Important: Before you buy your registration ticket through CLEP, visit their website to learn more about the available exams and registration guidelines.

Step 3: Prepare for Your Exam

Each CLEP exam allows you 90 minutes to finish. You are allowed to take breaks, but you can't pause the exam and must finish within the time limit. 

When you arrive to take the test, be sure to have: 

• Your government-issued photo ID (driver's license, passport, etc.).  
• Your CLEP registration ticket (must match your ID).
• $20 for the proctoring fee.

Note: You can use the CLEP Student ID Form for CLEP exams in place of a photo ID. Please review all requirements on this form and have the form notarized to ensure you are able to test.

If you need to retest, CLEP allows retesting on the same exam after a three-month period. Before attempting to retest, please confirm your eligibility with CLEP.

Do you think you need more preparation for your exam? Modern States Education Alliance offers free online courses to help you prepare for the test and may cover your CLEP registration ticket fee!