How Does CLEP Testing Work: A Smarter Way to Earn College Credit
For Parents & Adult Learners Ready to Save Time and Money

Imagine shaving months—or even years—off your college journey, all while saving thousands in tuition. That’s not a fantasy. That’s CLEP.

CLEP, or the College-Level Examination Program, is one of the best-kept secrets in higher education. It’s a game-changer for parents supporting their teens and adult learners returning to school. But how does it really work? And how do you make sure you’re doing it the right way?

Let’s break it down in plain English.

What Is CLEP?

If college feels expensive, time-consuming, or just out of reach—CLEP may be your breakthrough moment.

CLEP exams are standardized tests offered by the College Board (the same organization behind the SAT). These tests cover core college subjects like algebra, psychology, history, and more.

But here’s the game-changer:
When you pass a CLEP exam, you can skip that class in college—and still get full credit.

For many families and adult learners, that means:

• Less time in the classroom, more time moving forward

• Thousands saved on tuition and books

• No sitting through subjects you already mastered in high school, on the job, or through life experience

• Less stress from juggling general ed classes you don’t care about

• Speed through topics you dislike—or never want to see again (especially the ones that have nothing to do with your major)
  

CLEP turns what you already know into real college credit—without the traditional barriers. It’s not just about saving money. It’s about saving your energy and mental health during the journey.

How Does CLEP Work?

Here’s the typical CLEP path, whether you’re a high school parent guiding your student, or an adult getting back into college.

1. Choose Your CLEP Exam(s)
Visit www.CLEP.org to browse the 30+ available exams.
Not sure what fits your degree? That’s where CLEP Coaching comes in.

2. Check Your College’s CLEP Policy
Every college plays by its own rules.
That means:

• Different schools accept different exams

• Some require higher passing scores

• Each one decides which college classes CLEP can replace
  

You need to know:

• Which exams your target school accepts

• What credit they'll actually give you

• Whether that credit applies to your major, core, or just as an elective
  

So how do you find out? You could:

• Search through your college’s website

• Look for a CLEP credit chart (usually buried in registrar or testing center pages)

• Try calling academic advising
  

But many families find themselves skimming through hundreds of catalog pages just to piece together a degree plan. Some colleges won’t even let you speak to an advisor until you’re an accepted student.

Most people find the info—and then get stuck trying to turn it into a plan. Without support, those saved links just sit in a folder gathering digital dust.

That’s why we built a better way.

At CLEPCoach.com, we offer a done-for-you CLEP matching service.
We do the digging, the verifying, and the strategizing for you:

• Research your college’s CLEP credit policy

• Match exams directly to your degree plan

• Help you avoid costly mistakes—before you register or study
  

The Online College Coach at CLEPCoach.com has spent over 20 years doing this work—starting as a public high school teacher. His students have potentially saved over a million dollars in tuition using CLEP.

And for those who want support along the way, we offer something even more powerful:

The CLEP Mastermind Community
A private, high-support space hosted by the Online College Coach—where students, parents, and adult learners can ask questions, share wins, and stay accountable on their CLEP journey.

You're not meant to do this alone. With the right plan and the right people, you won’t just collect info—you’ll take action.

3. Study for Free (or Paid!)

Free Option: ModernStates.org offers free online courses for every CLEP subject—and they’ll even pay your test fee.

Paid Option: CLEP prep guides from Amazon (like REA or Peterson’s) are great supplements if you want more structure.

4. Register and Take the Exam

For many students, this is the moment it clicks: CLEP is simple, fast, and sometimes completely free.

Cost
CLEP exams are currently $93 (as of April 2025), and most testing centers charge a $20–$40 proctoring fee.

Test Format

• Computer-based

• About 90 minutes long

• Scored immediately—so you know on the spot if you passed
  

“I loved that there was no waiting, no mind-numbing second guessing, no torturing delays, and no stress wondering how I did. There’s something powerful about walking out of the room already knowing: ‘That class is DONE... or back to the drawing board.’”
— Kendyll R., earned 27 CLEP credits

No waiting. No dragging it out. Just results—and peace of mind.

Want It to Be Free? It Can Be.
This is where CLEP becomes a dream scenario for families and budget-conscious students.

If you use ModernStates.org:

• Take their free CLEP prep course

• Request a CLEP exam voucher

• Submit a testing fee reimbursement request
  

That means you could earn 3–6 college credits without paying a single dollar.

While some students are paying $1,000–$2,000 per class...
You could be earning the same credits—for free.

For families staring down a $60,000 degree—or adult learners avoiding debt—CLEP + Modern States is one of the smartest financial decisions you’ll ever make.

Remember, The Online College Coach has watched this success story play out over and over again.
If you’re feeling stuck or want to talk it through—book the call.
There’s a path forward, and it might be closer than you think.

5. Send Your Score to Your College

A passing CLEP score (usually 50 or higher) can unlock 3 to 6 college credits—sometimes even more.

That’s not just a number. That’s one less class, hundreds of dollars saved, and weeks of time you can skip.

If you already know your school, send your score when you register. It’s free.

Still deciding between colleges?
You can send scores to multiple schools to compare credit outcomes.

Pro tip: If you send scores later, official CLEP transcripts can be ordered through the College Board site. Each one costs about $20.

Real-World Benefits of CLEP

For Parents:
Imagine your student entering college with 15–30 credits already done—shaving off a semester or two, plus thousands in tuition, textbooks, and housing.

For Adult Learners:
You’ve lived a lot. Why sit through a class just to prove what you already know?

With CLEP, you can:

• Graduate faster

• Reduce student loan debt

• Learn flexibly at your own pace

• Stay in control of your education

• Avoid unnecessary stress and wasted time
  

Want Help Navigating CLEP the Smart Way?

That’s where The Online College Coach at CLEPCoach.com comes in.

With over 20 years of experience helping students match CLEP exams to degree plans, we replace the guesswork with real strategy.

Whether through a personalized email or a Zoom strategy session, we’ll help you build a CLEP plan tailored to your degree, goals, and timeline.

Here’s what you get:

• Customized CLEP strategies

• One-on-one coaching

• Access to the CLEP Mastermind: private group + expert support + live Q&As
  

You don’t have to do this alone. And you don’t have to stay stuck.

Ready to Start?
Order your Personalized CLEP Strategy or visit CLEPCoach.com for resources and coaching.

Don’t just go back to school—go back smarter.