The Basics

Credits by Exam (CBE) has been around for years, but only recently have so many High School students become aware of it as the cost of college continues to rise.  CLEP® and DSST Exams are administered nationally and accepted at over 2,900 colleges and universities.
Facts to consider:

• The first two years of College are largely a repeat of high school
• There is no age restriction to take CBE.  You can take them in high school (or even before HS!)
• Each exam is worth from 3-12 credits and costs less than $100
• There are 33 CLEP exams and 38 DSST exams, many in subject areas students study in high school
• Credits are “banked” for up to 20 years and can be transferred into the college of your choice
• Each college determines their own policies for transferring in credits, so check with the college of your choice
• You can complete most of your Generals while in high school and use your free time to travel, hold an internship or get practical experience in the field you are interested in (or even start your Master’s early)

To learn more about Credit-by-Exam, check out these sites:

CLEP    College Level Examination Program

DSST   DANTES Subject Standardized Tests

History of CLEP: Since 1967, College Board has offered CLEP exams to promote access to higher education.  CLEP offers students an opportunity to demonstrate and receive validation of their college-level skills and knowledge that they have gained through prior course work, independent study or work and life experience.  Typically, exams represent material taught in introductory college-level courses from all areas of the college curriculum.  In 2010-11, just under 10% of all CLEP candidates were under the age of 18.

History of DSST:  DSST – short for DANTES (Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support) Subject Standardized Tests – were originally offered to just those in the military. When Prometric, a global provider of testing services, began overseeing the exams, they became available globally to eligible military and civilian examinees.  Offering 38 exams, this credit-by-exam option complements those available through the CLEP program.

Ready to begin but wonder what resources to use?   You may find that the books your student is already studying are adequate.  If you want more ideas, check out this fabulous site specific to highschoolers earning college credit: Clep Lesson Plans  and this one too: Homeschool/CLEP Lesson Resources or review the resources that our family has personally used.

What is the MN Transfer Curriculum?  While considering how CLEP and DSST exams fit into your educational plans, anyone who takes courses using Minnesota’s Post Secondary Education Option needs to know about the MN Transfer.  Once you understand the program, check your local college’s website for their guide to their specific courses. Attend a workshop to learn how you can combine Credit-by-Exam and PSEO to get the most value for your time.  Seventy percent of those who start a college degree do not finish within 4 years.  Transferring credits and career planning are just two subjects this workshop will shed light on. Minnesota has programs in place to help families save time and money making college more affordable, but unless you specifically go looking for these programs, you may miss these opportunities.