4 Types of Students Who Should Take CLEP Exams
I find it ever so strange that the more I talk to students about how to get a jump start on their education, whenever the word “CLEP” is mentioned, I tend to see weird, confused looks on their faces.
Often times the response is “What is CLEP?”
To which I say, “You’ve never heard of CLEP?”
It is at this point in which I find myself explaining just what a CLEP exam is and how beneficial they can be. Even after educating thousands of students about this wonderful program, it really baffles me that many are still not aware of it.
In a nut shell, CLEP, which stands for College-Level Examination Program, offers 33 exams that cover mostly general education and some undergraduate course material. Once you pass an exam, you could receive up to three or more credits, which in turn will basically save you a semester of course work. To simplify even further, pass a test, never worry about having to take that class again. Below, I have listed the 4 types of students who will likely get the most value out of taking a CLEP exam.
- High School Students.
For most high school students who are approaching graduation, college life is at the fore front of their minds. Unfortunately, all too often, most minds are consumed with thoughts of frat parties, beer pong and late night pizza indulgence. Few students are focused on how they can best prepare themselves to be head of their class, maintaining whatever GPA is required of them to stay in school or even graduate a year or 2 early. For students who are focused on these things, testing out of a couple classes will most certainly provide a clear path way to those goals.
2. College Students seeking alternatives to summer classes.
Many college students who desire to finish their degree early typically opt in to picking up summer classes. Although the extra efforts will most certainly pay off in the end, why sacrifice a well-deserved summer break if you don’t necessarily have to? Here is where taking CLEP exams can be a huge time saver and provide you with optimal flexibility in your schedule.
3. Military Students.
Whether you are in the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Coast Guard or any of the reserve branches, taking CLEP exams will not only put you on a faster track to your degree, but it can also serve as a major accelerator for your career as well! Think about those blocks on your evaluations that are specifically dedicated to education. It’s safe to say that in some cases, not having education points can make you less competitive for advancing to the next rank. Having served with both Army and Air Force personnel myself, I know how important it is to perform well in all facets of military service. Education is no exception here.
4. Part time students.
If being a part time student is simply a matter of convenience and you are not in a rush to finish school, then the following may not apply to you much. However, if you are a part time student looking to add some extra credits under your belt, dedicating a few weeks to studying for a CLEP test might be a viable solution. A great way to plan would be to add one or 2 exams to your schedule a semester. So if you take 2 classes and pass 2 exams, that would be the equivalent to taking 4 classes.
I hope that after you have read this post, you feel a little bit more enlightened about how CLEP can benefit you. If you were a skeptic before, I encourage you to keep an open mind and do some further research on your own. As a fellow test taker and someone who is an advocate for any and all college hacking strategies, my only goal with this writing is to try and offer you a new and unique perspective that otherwise may have gone unnoticed. For more information about CLEP and how to best prepare for your next exam, feel free to reach out to me anytime.
