CLEP Tests Offer Affordable Way To Earn College Credits

CLEP Tests Offer Affordable Way To Earn College Credits
Parents and students alike know just how expensive an education can be. It is mind boggling to discover that tuition can be as much as $1047 per credit at a private college and $274 per credit at a public college. In addition to tuition expenses, there are additional costs associated with housing, living expenses, textbooks, and transportation. Any ways of decreasing college-related expenses while still obtaining the desired degree is desirable to the college student as well as parents who fund their child?s education. CLEP, which stands for College Level Examination Program, is an excellent way to earn college credits quickly and affordably.

CLEP exams allow students to earn credits by demonstrating college level proficiency in any of 34 subject areas. These tests cover material taught in general education courses that students typically take in the first two years of college. With over 2,900 colleges and universities granting credits to students who earn satisfactory CLEP test scores, many students can benefit from this time and cost saving program. Each CLEP exam, which costs less than $100 to take, represents a huge monetary savings when compared to the price of tuition.

Even if students possess little or no knowledge of a subject, they can often prepare for a CLEP test in less than a month. Many affordable and effective CLEP test preparation methods exist, including online study programs, study guides, DVD?s, CD?s, and textbooks. Many students are able to find time to study for their CLEP test at the same time that they are completing fall or spring semester coursework. However, if students are unable to prepare for their CLEP test while taking a full semester course load, they can often use part of their winter or summer break to prepare for and pass one or more CLEP tests.

Although some of the benefits of CLEP exams are obvious, such as the tuition savings and time savings, other benefits are less apparent, but nonetheless valuable. Students who use CLEP tests to earn a many or all of their general education course requirements may be able to graduate from college as much as two years earlier than if they attended traditional classes in order to receive these credits. Graduating from college early often allows students to enter graduate school or professional training earlier than their peers. In many professional careers, salary is directly tied into seniority. Therefore, the earlier a person can enter his or her desired career, the more money he or she will make long-term. For many students, the opportunity cost of not taking CLEP exams is huge!

CLEP exams may even make it possible for some students to attend college who otherwise could never afford to do so otherwise. Many students do not want to take on the huge amount of debt associated with financing a college degree through student loans. Others are financially unable to leave the workplace or family responsibilities in order to pursue the desired college degree. CLEP tests can provide these individuals the opportunity to earn credits toward the future degree without expensive tuition costs or time in the classroom. Cutting the time and expense of obtaining a degree in half using CLEP tests makes the degree seem much more affordable and feasible for many people.

The College Board, the company overseeing CLEP, has a website that can provide students with additional information about CLEP exams, such as descriptions of each exam, study recommendations, and information on how and where to take these tests.


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