Getting Started

Credit-by-exam is one of the best kept secrets in higher education. Understanding how to integrate these exams into your student’s high school courses can save them thousands of dollars in college tuition.

CLEP and DSST are the two most popular nationally-recognized proficiency exams. These exams are designed to assess college-level knowledge in specific subject areas, allowing students of any age the opportunity to test out of introductory-level college courses. Over 2,000 colleges award credit passing scores. Understanding how to use these exams as part of your high school and college plan can save your student both time and money.

There is a significant amount of overlap between high school courses and introductory-level college courses. Students can accelerate the first two years of college, avoid repeating these same courses in college, and save significant time and money. Start planning in middle school to create a vision and direction for your student’s education.

The Basics of CLEP and DSST

1. What is CLEP and DSST?

CLEP: College Level Examination Program, a set of 34 exams developed by The College Board (the same organization that offers AP exams and the SAT.
DSST: (formerly Dantes Standard Subject Tests), a set of 40 exams offered by Prometric, another global exam provider.

CLEP has been the most widely trusted credit-by-examination program for over 40 years, accepted nationally by 2,900 colleges and universities and administered in over 1,800 test centers. CLEP exams are developed by committees of college faculty who design questions based on what is typically covered in a similar college course. There are 34 different exams covering material taught in courses generally taken during the first two years of college. Subject areas include: business, composition/literature, foreign languages, social science, science, and math. Exams are computer-based and are offered at authorized test centers, often on college campuses, or online at-home using a validated proctoring service.

Similarly, DSST exams are accepted for credit at more than 1,900 colleges and universities. Originally only offered to military personnel, these exams are now available to the general public. The exam topics are different from that of CLEP, so students may be able to use both CLEP and DSST toward their college degree plan.

CLEP and DSST exams are both computer-based, and have a similar fee of $100 per test. Exam scores are available immediately upon completion of the test and stay on file with the testing service for up to 20 years. Each college determines their own credit transfer policy – how they award credit for previous learning, so it is important to review the policy at the college where your student will earn their degree.

2. Who can take these exams?

Students of any age can take these exams – high school, homeschool, public or private school, college, military, and adults. Sitting for a CLEP and DSST exams is not associated with age, but having mastery of the material and college-readiness skills.

3. What are the exams like?

The exams are computer-based, multiple-choice, and timed. Most exams contain about 100 questions. Essay components are only a part of select English CLEP exams.

4. What exam topics are available?

CLEP offers exams in five general education subject areas, covering material taught in courses that students generally take in the first two years of college. DSST exams assess students’ knowledge in both upper and lower level subject areas such as Social Sciences, Math, Applied Technology, Business, Physical Sciences and Humanities.

5. Where and when are exams administered?

Tests are administered year-round at college campus testing centers. CLEP also offers an at-home test option. To find a test site near you, enter your zip code on the CLEP site or DSST site.

6. What is the cost for these exams?

Each CLEP exam costs about $100, plus an administrative fee of about $20 (the test center determines their admin fee).

7. When are test results available?

Scores are available immediately for most exams except those that have a hand-scored component, such as the Public Speaking DSST and College Composition CLEP.

8. What score is needed to pass?

Most colleges publish their credit-granting score on their website. Many follow the recommendation provided by the American Council on Education, the major coordinating body for all the nation’s higher education institutions.

9. How many credits can I earn?

The number of credits awarded for each exam can vary by college. Some colleges award credits based on the recommendation provided by the American Council on Education. For CLEP, this is 3-9 credits depending on the exam; for DSST, the ACE recommendation is 3 credits per exam. Colleges often award students the same number of credits a student would have earned by passing an equivalent course offered at the college. Other colleges may grant students an exemption, but not award credits. Most colleges place a limit on the total number of transfer credits students can use toward their degree. It is best to check with the college you are considering attending.

10. Will all schools recognize the results from these exams?

Not all universities award credit for proficiency exams (AP, CLEP, or DSST) as each school sets its own transfer policy. Check the college website, or contact the advising department or registrar at the college, preferably in writing.

11. How do I transfer my credits?

At the onset of taking the computer-based exam, students are given the option of having scores sent directly a college, or just recorded with the test provider (College Board or Prometric), which students who are not yet enrolled in a college would do. Once enrolled in a college, simply complete an online transfer form, checking the box indicating which test scores you would like included on the transcript. Tip: There is a box to check that indicates you want only tests with “passing scores” recorded on the transcript. The transcript fee is $20 for CLEP and $30 for DSST.

12. Are there practice exams?

Yes, there are many great resources, including practice exams, to help students prepare.

13. Am I just taking a test or am I really learning the material?

CLEP and DSST exams give students the opportunity to demonstrate mastery of material they have learned. Knowledge can come from previous experience, independent study, or a class. Students are not accelerating high school, but rather avoiding repeating similar material often studied in introductory-level college courses.

14. How do I get started?

Students who are enrolled in college or know where they will be attending should begin by checking the credit-granting policies for that college. Younger students who are not yet enrolled in a college will be banking their test scores until such as time as they enroll in college. Start by reviewing the exam titles for both CLEP and DSST. Think of using credit-by-exam as a “final” exam to each high school-level course that has a corresponding exam. Choose one that aligns to your student’s interests or one in an area that aligns with their current studies.

15. Why doesn’t everyone know about this?

CLEP and DSST are the best kept secret in higher education because colleges don’t make money when students test out of a class, and high schools are not in the business of helping students graduate college debt-free.

Get it all in a Book

Parent’s Guide to Credits Before College – A comprehensive guide that helps parents understand how to incorporate CLEP and DSST into their student’s middle and high school years. It is the resource I wish I had when starting this process.

Watch my Video Interview

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Words from Students and Parents

Sometimes when you step off the path everyone else is on, they might tell you you are heading the wrong way. Take care to ask for directions from someone who holds a map!

Karen, Parent:
A moment of applause for CLEP testing and for Cheri’s encouragement to keep working at it! Starting in 7th grade, my son learned test taking and Study Skills which brought him to care about what school and college credits can do for him. He’s walked away with determination to finish college and feeling great about his accomplished 6 college credits he’s earned. He has set an even higher goal for himself by wanting to finish college two years after completing high school. He’s also narrowed his area of study to forestry or environmental science.

Matthew, 9th grade and successful owner of 6 college credits:
Through a logic class that I took from Mrs. Frame, I was first inspired to earn college credits through the CLEP program. I have a goal to earn 18 credits before I get to 11th grade.

UPDATE: My educational path has been completely altered, for the better, as a result of Mrs. Frame. In 9th grade when I first heard about CLEP tests I thought it was too much effort for not enough benefit, but through my mom and I talking to Mrs. Frame we decided to take a few. As I passed my first test my confidence soared and I set a goal to have 21 credits by the time I graduate high school. I have greatly surpassed my goal as I am now a junior in high school with 27 credits planning to graduate with my associate’s degree through dual enrollment. I would never have graduated with my associate’s without taking CLEP tests. Mrs. Frame has been one of the most influential people in my academic career.

Kim, Parent:
My daughter has successfully taken two DSST tests and passed them as a 10th grade student. Mrs. Frame led the study group for the World Religions DSST which covered a vast amount of material. Her approach to the subject was creative but thorough. She had the students look at the material not just from a rote memorization point of view, but also from a “big picture” aspect. Her encouragement to both my student and me has been wonderfully helpful! I would encourage parents and students to consider taking the DSST and CLEP exams as a way to reduce time and money spent in college on courses that are required but are simply stepping stones to the student’s desired field. I wish I had known about this option when I was in college — it would have saved me MUCH!

Katie, 9th Grade, 27 Credits:
My CLEP experience has been very successful. Having earned 27 credits through the CLEP program, I and am very pleased with the process! Cheri has helped map out for my education. I hope to gain 60 credits with Credit-by-exam and then use dual enrollment to finish my degree by the time I finish high school. I think this is very doable after listening to Cheri speak. UPDATE: While in only 10th grade, Katie has surpassed her goal of 60 credits. She has set her sights on earning her BA degree early and without debt.

Holly, 10th Grade Parent:
CLEP testing is a wonderful way to get a jump start on college and college level work. There is so much information on study tools and general CLEP information that it can quickly become overwhelming thinking about where to start. Connecting and listening to those who have gone down the CLEP Path is so valuable. Cheri is one of those who has explored and navigated the Path well and has become a wonderful resource for me. I consistently gain from her knowledge, research and insight. She is a great resource for anyone who is considering CLEP testing.

Jacob, 9 CLEP Credits and Counting:
For me, CLEP was a learning experience. It showed me how to prioritize and pin point my best study time. I was very encouraged to see that I could do college level work and pass the test. CLEP classes were extremely helpful in all the skills that it taught me. UPDATE: As a 10th grader, Jacob has accumulated 21 credits with plans to earn 30 (one year of college) before beginning 11th grade.

Kelly, Homeschool Parent:
My daughter was confused about how to get the job she wanted as a field ecologist. Cheri helped her process how to get from 10th grade to a masters, coaching her to stay focused on one year’s worth of work at a time. She was able to make a plan to combine high school and college using CLEPs and dual enrollment to shorten those potential 9 years of work into 7 or less. Cheri emphasized it is best to work backward from the final goal, helping us understand how high school to college to a masters will all fit together. UPDATE from Britta, 11th grade: Cheri has been wonderful with helping me plan out my high school years and making a plan for the college years after. Using CLEPs I’ve earned 21 credits. Add PSEO classes and I have saved over two years of college and several thousand dollars. Thanks Cheri!

Laura, 10th grade, 33 credits:
In my experience, taking a CLEP or DSST has been extremely rewarding. Mrs. Frame and my mom have been instrumental in me working hard and pushing through to completion.

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