Can I take CLEP Exams at Home?

Apr 26, 2021 | Time

Can you take CLEP exams online? The answer is yes! The College Board is now making the CLEP exam available from the comfort of your home. But, there are some catches. Read below for more details.

More About At-Home CLEP Exams.

What’s different about taking the CLEP exam from at home? The at-home CLEP exam has the same format, content, timing, and overall on-screen experience as an exam you would take at a test center. And thanks to CLEP’s partnership with Proctortrack, you’ll even still have a human proctor.

See how Smarter with Achieve can help you prep for your at-home CLEP exam.

What is Proctortrack?

Proctortrack is a virtual proctoring solution that works in two ways. First, the company verifies your identity online. Second, Proctortrack also allows you to take your exam while a human proctor monitors you via video.

In ordered to get a proctored, at-home CLEP exam, you must have…

A PC (not a Mac)
Webcam
Speaker
Microphone
Whiteboard or sheet of paper in a transparent sheet protector
Dry eraser marker
A quiet, secure testing environment

There are also additional technical requirements. You can view them here.

Who Can Take A CLEP Exam Online?

There are a few requirements if you want to take CLEP online:

You have to be at least 13 years old.
Your computer and testing environment must meet the technical and Proctortrack requirements.
You must be located within the U.S. ( or be DANTES-funded).

Not eligible to take the CLEP exam at home? You still have the option of taking your CLEP exam at a test center.

What Are Considerations For Those with Disabilities?

There are specific accommodations for those with disabilities seeking to take a remote-proctored exam, including…

Extended exam time
Screen magnification
Modifiable screen colors
Longer rest breaks

Additionally, you are also allowed food, drink, and medication as long as you stay within the view of the proctor. The College Board recommends submitting your request for accommodation two months in advance. Until the College Board approves your request, you won’t be able to complete your exam remotely with accommodation.

How to Register to Take Your At-Home CLEP Exam

There are six steps to register to take your CLEP exam at home.

First, you have to review the requirements. Make sure your equipment and environment meet the standards. You have to be in a private room where no one else is entering. This means coffee shops and bookstores are out.
Then, register for your exam on the CLEP My Account Registration Portal. The information you use to register should match the ID you’ll be using to take your exam. If it doesn’t, you won’t be allowed to test.
Select your test center. During the registration process, you’ll be asked where you’ll be taking your exam. Select ‘at home with remote proctoring’ and agree to the remote proctoring requirements. In addition to the CLEP exam fee, you’ll be charged $30 for remote proctoring. If you’re DANTES funded, your remote proctoring fee should be zero.
Schedule your exam. Within 24 hours, you should receive an email confirmation from CLEP with a Ticket ID and a link to the Proctortrack website. You’ll use your Ticket ID and create a Proctortrack account to schedule your remote-proctored exam appointment.
Ensure that you have everything you need for the test day. Ensure that your equipment and software are working as they should.
Take Your Exam. Sign in at your scheduled appointment time and have your government-issued ID ready to show your proctor.

Are you ready to get started? Smarter with Achieve can help.

We walk you through the CLEP registration process and help you prep and pass your exams.

Here’s just a sample of what you’d get if you prep with us:

Dedicated instructor guidance. Our instructors will help you brush up on your knowledge before the test day and give you insider information on how the exams are structured.
A robust library of study materials. With Smarter, you get practice tests and guidelines, so you’ll be confident on exam day.
Access to exam-specific questions. Get access to exam-specific questions to help you prep for CLEP.

Be prepared for your at-home CLEP exam. Prep with Smarter today!

I failed my CLEP exam. Now what?

Feb 26, 2021 | Career

So, you signed up with Smarter with Achieve, attended the prep course sessions, reviewed the study guides and suggestions, and still didn’t pass your exam. What happens next?

There is a waiting period before you can retake the exam. But, there is a lot you can do during that time, including re-enrolling in the prep course (free of charge at Smarter with Achieve) and upping your study efforts for the retake.

What do I do during the waiting period?

There is a 90-day waiting period to retake a CLEP exam. But this only applies to retakes on the exact same exam. So, for example, if you take and fail your English Composition exam, you can still take an Introductory to Psychology CLEP exam the next day. However, you would have to wait three months to retake your English Composition exam.

What should you do about your failed exam in the meantime? Start studying for your exam retake right away. By studying a little every day, you’ll be more prepared the second time around for your exam.

What’s a passing CLEP score?

To aim for a passing score on your CLEP retake, you must first understand what ‘passing’ means for your circumstance. Be sure that you find out what your school considers a passing CLEP exam score for the test you’re planning to take. The College Board accepts a score of 50 as a passing score, but each college may set its own policy on a passing exam score. Double-check with your academic advisor to be sure what a passing score is for your intended test subject and how it’s applied as college credits.

What does my college do with my old scores?

If you don’t pass your exam the first time, the College Board will keep your old score until you retake the test. If you pass your test the second time, the College Board will replace your old score with your passing score and send those updated scores to your school of choice. The College Board does not keep track of your old scores.

But, what does your college do with your old CLEP scores? Most schools will allow you to retake a CLEP exam, but few won’t. Most of the time, your college will accept your most recent scores. Still, it’s best to check with your academic advisor on your school’s CLEP retake policy.

Remember whether you pass or not, your CLEP scores don’t affect your grade point average (GPA). Nothing is logged on your college transcript indicating you failed your CLEP test.

What can I do to ensure I pass the second time?

Write down the topics you struggled with.

As soon as you get home from your exam, be sure to write down everything you wished you studied more. Use that list as a guide on what to focus on for the next time.

Practice makes perfect.

Be sure to take plenty of practice tests on the subject you failed.

Prep with Smarter.

Smarter with Achieve’s Customer Success program is here to walk you through your exam should you not pass your test the first time. You’ll get a customized study plan and one-on-one support to ensure that you pass your exam.

Pass your CLEP exam with Smarter with Achieve

While many who prep with Smarter pass their exams, we’re here for you with personalized support in the chance you don’t. As soon as one of our customers fails, our customer support team kicks in with a customized plan.

We offer:

Free Course Retakes
Free Refresher Courses
Free One-on-One Tutoring

Our unique test remediation program ensures your success and costs nothing. If you ever fail an exam, we will give you the attention and additional resources you need until you pass. And, if you don’t give up, neither will we!

Ready to start with Smarter? Contact us today to get started.

The Easiest and Hardest CLEP Exams

Feb 1, 2021 | Time

What is CLEP?

CLEP or the College Board’s College-Level Examination Program is a Credit-by-Exam program trusted for over 50 years. CLEP allows anyone of any age to demonstrate their mastery of general education, college-level subjects and earn credits for them. You can earn college credits by taking and passing tests on over 30 subjects.

Nearly 3,000 colleges and universities accept CLEP credits, and you can sit for CLEP exams at more than 2,000 test centers nationwide.

How does CLEP work?

While the College Board sponsors CLEP, only colleges may grant credit toward a degree. Not all colleges have the same CLEP policies.

Some factors to consider:

The College Board has a recommended credit-granting score guide, but your school may decide a different score.
Some colleges accept credit for all CLEP exams. Other colleges accept a few CLEP exams and may require you to sit for an actual class on some subjects.
If you take and pass a CLEP exam, your college will grant you the same amount of credits you would get if you took a traditional class.

Since you don’t have to sit for 16 weeks in a class, you can finish college a lot faster with CLEP.

Our Prep Course Plan lets you know exactly how many credits you can CLEP. Find out how.

What subjects does CLEP cover?

Business, Composition and Literature, History, Mathematics, Science, Social Sciences, and World Languages are just a few of CLEP’s exam topics. And this is just a broad list. The tests become more specific under each subject.

Now that you know more about CLEP, you may be wondering where to start? Which exams should you choose first? Which CLEP exams are the easiest? We based this easiest and hardest list of CLEP exams on the passing rates of students in 2017.

Easiest Exams

Exam	Pass Rate (%)
Spanish Language	91%
College Composition Modular	83%
College Composition	81%
Introductory Sociology	80%
Principles of Marketing	79%
French Language	78%
College Mathematics	76%
Human Growth and Development	75%
Analyzing and Interpreting Lit	75%
Principles of Macroeconomics	72%

Hardest Exams

Exam	Pass Rate (%)
Chemistry	39%
Western Civilization II	48%
American Literature	51%
Introductory Business Law	51%
American Government	52%
College Algebra	52%
Calculus	53%
Financial Accounting	55%
History of United States II	56%
Natural Sciences	57%

Facing a difficult CLEP exam? Pass with Smarter with Achieve.

Do More with Smarter

That wraps up our list! Which test you find the easiest or hardest will ultimately come down to your educational background and history. Before choosing a CLEP exam to take, make sure you’re knowledgeable about the subject and that your school accepts CLEP credits.

CLEP exams are one of the best ways to gain college credits and get your degree faster — but not the easiest.

CLEP exams require a lot of self-discipline, accountability, and study, but that’s where Smarter with Achieve can help.

Smarter with Achieve offers expert exam guidance to ensure that you pass your CLEP exam on the first try, whether easy or hard. We offer live, virtual courses with dedicated instructors in a collaborative learning environment. You’ll review exam-specific questions and have access to a library of material, so you can feel confident on test day.

Ready to prep? Get in contact with one of our Smarter Advisors today!

The Secret to Saving on Student Loans You Probably Aren’t Doing

Jan 25, 2021 | Money

Want to go to college but worried about student loan debt?

The student loan crisis is bigger than ever. Recent statistics show that Americans hold over 1.6 trillion in student loan debt, a number that continues to rise.

Yet, despite the debt that comes with college, more people are choosing to go than not. With advancements in technology and automation, many jobs that did not require a college degree are being phased out. You might find it harder to earn a living wage without having some college education under your belt. After all, college graduates earn, on average, 80% more than those with just a high school diploma.

So that means that while college is more expensive, it is still more important than ever before. But that puts you in a serious predicament. On one hand, you can risk getting into debt funding a college education. Or, you can miss out on the benefits (and pay) that come with a college degree. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to save on a college education.

Interested in saving money on college? See how Smarter with Achieve can help!

How CLEP exams can save you money on student loans

For many people, taking on part-time jobs and applying for college is one way to offset the cost of college and possible student debt, but there is another method you may not have heard of: CLEP.

CLEP isn’t the most talked-about way to reduce college costs, but it’s one you should seriously consider. CLEP exams can save you or your parents a lot on the cost of college, and thus student loans.

Here’s how it works…

CLEP (the College Level Examination Program) is a program by the College Board. Anyone of any age can study and take CLEP exams on over 30 subjects, and if they pass, receive college credits for that course.

CLEP exams are a lot like the AP exams you took in high school. The only difference is you can study at your own pace. With CLEP exams, you take your exam when you’re ready, not just at the end of the semester. You can take CLEP tests at over 2,000 testing centers nationwide. Plus, CLEP costs $85, so you can save thousands on college credits.

Who is CLEP for?

CLEP exams are ideal for high schoolers due to their low cost and flexibility. High schoolers who take CLEP can expect to earn college credits before entering a university campus.
Homeschoolers who are used to self-study can adapt incredibly well to CLEP
Working students can take CLEP exams to work college around their busy schedules.
Anyone who wants to save time and money on college.

Ready to get started with CLEP? See how Smarter with Achieve can help!

How much can I save with CLEP?

To illustrate the savings of taking CLEP exams as part of your college preparation, let’s look at in-state tuition at the Xavier University of Louisiana.

In-state tuition costs $1219.00 per course. A passing CLEP score can earn you 3-college credits. If you pass CLEP, you would only spend $112 on the exam (including testing site fees). That’s a savings of $1107 per course! Even if you have to retake a few exams, you’d still save tons of money on the cost of college.

Not only that, you’ll save on textbooks, room and board, and transportation for a whole semester, and maybe more!

Save on student loans with Smarter with Achieve.

Taking and passing CLEP exams is a great way to earn college credits, save money and avoid student loan debt.

Want to find out how many credits you can earn with CLEP at your specific school? Have our team identify all of the eligible courses, and while they’re at it, tell you how much it will cost to prep for each course using Smarter.

Ready to get started? Know exactly which courses your school will let you CLEP. Get your Prep Course Plan today.

Does My College Accept Credit-by-Exam?

Dec 14, 2020 | Career

Testing out of college classes helps busy students get more time in their schedules, but does every college accept credit by exam? 2,900 accredited colleges and universities accept this type of credit, but you’ll need to verify whether your school is on this list. Here’s how to determine if your college accepts credit by exam.

What is credit by exam?

Credit-by-exam programs allow you to skip the classroom and earn credits toward your degree by merely passing a proficiency exam. This system allows you to test out of an entire semester-long class, earning general education credits without spending months in a classroom. Credit by exam allows you to knock out your gen-ed courses quicker, so you can start completing the core requirements for your degree. The most popular credit-by-exam tests are CLEP, DSST, and UExcel (AP tests are also part of the credit-by-exam system, but AP is only available to high school students).

Save tuition and reduce your course load by earning credits on subjects you know. Learn more with Smarter with Achieve.

Does my school accept credit by exam?

2,900 colleges and universities accept credit by exam, but you should still do your research before assuming your college will accept test-out credits. Not all schools allow these credits, and even those who do still differ in how those credits are applied. You don’t want to take exams for credit that your college won’t acknowledge on your academic record, so here are some tips on verifying credit by exam at your school.

How to find out if your college accepts Credit-by-Exam

Speak with your advisor

The best way to determine if your college accepts credit by exam is to call or visit your school’s admission advisors. If you have not decided which school you will attend, take the time to consider your options carefully. If you plan to use Credit-by-Exam for most of your general education courses, you should check different college’s policies on test-out before selecting the right school for you.

Look in your academic calendar

If you have already received your school’s academic calendar, then the policy is sometimes listed under guidelines within the book.

Googling

Sometimes Googling your school’s name and “credit by exam” will bring up the school’s test-out policies. But beware that sometimes you will run into outdated information using this tactic.

Visit the College Board’s website

Visit the College Board’s website and search for your school’s CLEP policy.

Visit the CLEP website and navigate to the Search Institution Policies tool.
Type a school in the “Enter a College or University Name” field, then select the school name when it pops up.
If you’re not sure which school you want to attend, but know you want to use Credit-by-Exam, College Board’s website will show you a list of schools that accept test-out credits.

Questions to ask your academic advisor about credit by exam

Besides finding out if your school accepts credit by exam, what else should you ask when you’re finally in front of your academic advisor? These four simple questions should guide your approach and let you know if credit by exam is the right fit for you and your degree program.

How are Credit-by-Exam credits applied?

After you’ve established that your desired school accepts credit by exam, the next question you should ask is how those credits are applied.

General education credits: Most schools will apply your CLEP credits to general education courses, but some may only apply them in a general sense, such as six credits in math.

Transfer credits: Some colleges treat credit by exam like transfer credits. If you have other credits to transfer, credit by exam may count against the maximum number of credits you can transfer. Plus, you may not be able to get a say in which credits the school will accept as transfer credits. If you have a lot of credits to transfer, credit by exam may not be the right fit for you.

Exemptions: Some schools treat credit by exam tests as exemptions, meaning you are allowed to test out of a prerequisite but will not receive a credit. For example, taking a College Composition CLEP test may exempt you from taking an introductory writing course, but you’ll have to earn those credits in a more challenging course.

Electives: Some colleges only count credit by exam tests as an elective, so you cannot test out of courses required for your major.

How many credits can I test out?

Most colleges limit the number of credits that you can CLEP, and some schools even cap how many students can earn CLEP credits.

The number of credits that you can test out varies from 12 up to 60+. This number may include any previously earned AP tests credits, so be sure to speak with your academic advisor before pursuing credit by exam.

Smarter with Achieve can help

If you’re looking for ways to reduce the cost of college, Credit-by-Exam can help you reach your goals faster. But first, you’d have to understand how the program works within your school and for your degree program.

If you’re already enrolled in a college or plan to enroll soon, it’s essential to speak with your academic advisor on how Credit-by-Exam fits with your career path. You want to ensure the credits you earn will be applied toward your degree program before testing out.

Using CLEP to earn credits is a great way to save money on college and graduate faster.

Want to find out more about how you can use Credit-by-Exam to accelerate your degree at your specific school? Have our team identify all of the eligible courses, and while they’re at it, tell you how much it will cost to prep for each course using Smarter.

Ready to get started? Know precisely which courses your school will let you CLEP. Get your Prep Course Plan today.

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