The College Level Examination Program (CLEP) is a group of standardized tests created and administered by the College Board. Try out one of the free CLEP practice tests below to see how you do. Taking the CLEP exams can help you save both time and money, allowing you to earn a degree much faster than the conventional college path. Typically, it takes 4 years to receive an undergraduate degree, but according to the CLEP College Board official website, those 4 years could be shortened to just a fraction of that time. In fact, according to the CLEP College Board, more than 2,900 U.S. colleges grant credit for passed CLEP examinations. Summary: Learn more about the College Level Examination Program and take a free CLEP practice test below.
Check out the official CLEP website for official study resources for purchase. If you’re looking to save money check out the table below for free CLEP practice tests and resources.
Composition and Literature Exams | Notes | Provider |
American Literature | 88 Question Practice Test and Study Resources | CollegeBoard |
College Composition | 70 Question Practice Test and Essays | CollegeBoard |
English Literature | 89 Question Practice Test and Study Resources | CollegeBoard |
World Language Exams | Notes | Provider |
French | Description, Study Resources, and Sample Test Questions | CollegeBoard |
German | Description, Study Resources, and Sample Test Questions | CollegeBoard |
Spanish | 10 Question Practice Test | CollegeBoard |
History and Social Sciences Exams | Notes | Provider |
American Government | 90 Question Practice Test | CollegeBoard |
U.S. History | 96 Question Practice Test | CollegeBoard |
Sociology | 88 Question Practice Test | CollegeBoard |
Macroeconomics | 85 Question Practice Test | CollegeBoard |
Microeconomics | 80 Question Practice Test | CollegeBoard |
Science and Mathematics Exams | Notes | Provider |
Biology | 110 Question Practice Test | Peterson’s |
Calculus | 45 Question Practice Test | Peterson’s |
Chemistry | 75 Question Practice Test | CollegeBoard |
College Algebra | 80 Question Practice Test | CollegeBoard |
Natural Sciences | 120 Question Practice Test | Peterson’s |
Precalculus | 50 Question Practice Test | Peterson’s |
Business Exams | Notes | Provider |
Financial Accounting | 77 Question Practice Test | CollegeBoard |
Information Systems | 100 Question Practice Test | CollegeBoard |
Business Law | 80 Question Practice Test | CollegeBoard |
Management | 110 Question Practice Test | CollegeBoard |
Marketing | 100 Question Practice Test | Peterson’s |
All exams are taken on a computer. The CLEP examinations assess college-level knowledge in 36 subject areas and allow individuals to earn college credits without having to actually take any college courses. Each exam is 80 questions. Typically, all questions are multiple choice with the exception of a few exams which ask extended-response questions. There are 6 different content categories relating to several different fields of study. Please reference the table below for more details.
Composition and Literature | World Language | History and Social Sciences | Science and Math | Business |
American Literature | French | American Government | Biology | Financial Accounting |
Interpreting Literature | German | History of the U.S. | Calculus | Information Systems |
College Composition | Spanish | Human Growth and Development | Chemistry | Business Law |
College Composition (Modular) | Spanish (Writing) | Educational Psychology | College Algebra | Management |
English Literature | Sociology | College Math | Marketing | |
Humanities | Macroeconomics | Natural Sciences | ||
Microeconomics | ||||
Social Sciences and History | ||||
Western Civilization I | ||||
Western Civilization II |
Each CLEP exam takes about 90 to 120 minutes to complete, depending on the exam subject.
CLEP exams are offered year-round at more than 2,000 test centers across the country. Click the official CLEP Test Center link to find a testing center near you.
Each exam costs $89. Additional administrative fees may be charged by the test center.
Anyone interested in earning college credit can take a CLEP exam. If you are interested in saving time and money all while earning college credit… the CLEP test may be for you! Take a CLEP practice test and see if you are ready for the actual exam.
Before taking a CLEP test you may want to consider the following:
Typically, a 50 out of 80 is a passing score for a CLEP exam. This comes to a 63%.
On CLEP exams, one point is awarded for each correct answer. Points are not deducted for incorrect or skipped answers. So, answer every question… even if it’s a guess!
CLEP Scores Breakdown" width="512" height="384" />
Your final score is based on two calculations.
The first is your “raw score”, or the number of questions you answered correct.
Second, your raw score is then converted to a “scaled score” that ranges from 20 to 80. This is the score that appears on your score report.
You will receive an unofficial score report immediately at the test center. This is with the exception of the College Composition exam, as these exams contain essay questions and are graded by 2 or more college English professors.
Additionally, you can view your scores online by logging into the CLEP “My Account” Portal using the same account you used to register for your test. Scores are available online exactly one business day after your exam.
All CLEP exam registrations grant you one free score send. This must be used when you register. If you don’t pick an institution to send your scores too, or if you want to send your scores to multiple institutions, you can request your transcripts for a fee of $20.