CLEP (College Level Examination Program) exams are standardized tests created by the College Board that allow students to earn college credit by demonstrating knowledge of introductory college-level subjects — without taking the course. The College Board offers 34 CLEP exams across History and Social Sciences, Composition and Literature, Science and Mathematics, Business, and World Languages. Each exam costs $93 plus a test center fee. Passing a CLEP exam typically earns 3–12 college credits at over 2,900 colleges and universities that accept CLEP scores.

How much does a CLEP exam cost?

Each CLEP exam costs $93 (paid to the College Board). Most testing centers also charge a test administration fee of approximately $20–$35. The total cost per CLEP exam is approximately $110–$130. One score report is included at the time of testing; sending scores to additional colleges costs $20 per report. For US military service members, all CLEP fees are waived — eligible active-duty members can take CLEP exams for free through the DANTES program. Modern States (modernstates.org) also offers free CLEP exam vouchers for students who complete their free prep courses.

What score do you need to pass a CLEP exam?

CLEP exams are scored on a 20–80 scale. The American Council on Education (ACE) recommends a score of 50 as the standard passing threshold, and most colleges require a minimum score of 50 to award credit. Some colleges require higher scores (typically 55–60) for certain subjects or programs. A few colleges require a 63 or higher for more advanced credit. Always verify the minimum required score with your specific college or university before testing — requirements vary significantly by institution and subject.

How long does it take to prepare for a CLEP exam?

Preparation time varies significantly based on your existing knowledge. Students who have recently completed related coursework (but did not receive credit) may need only 1–2 weeks of review. Students with moderate background knowledge typically need 4–6 weeks of structured study. Students starting a subject with minimal background may need 8–12 weeks of intensive preparation. CLEP exams test introductory college course material — the equivalent of a one-semester college course. Choose subjects where you have existing knowledge to minimize preparation time and maximize your investment.

Can you retake a CLEP exam if you fail?

Yes — but you must wait 3 months (90 days) before retaking a CLEP exam you did not pass. You cannot retake an exam you already passed at most colleges (since you would already have received credit). There is no limit on how many times you can retake an exam across multiple 90-day waiting periods, but each attempt costs the full $93 exam fee plus testing center fees. Use the waiting period to study weak areas identified from your initial attempt.

CLEP Exams 2026–2026 — Types of CLEP Tests, Cost, and How to Get College Credit

CLEP exams 2026–2026: what CLEP exams are, the 34 available subjects, cost per exam, how to register, which colleges accept CLEP credit, and how to prepare.

CLEP - College Level Examination ProgramApr 20, 20268 min read

CLEP Exams 2026–2026 — Types of CLEP Tests, Cost, and How to Get College Credit

How CLEP Exams Work

CLEP exams test college-level knowledge that students may have acquired through self-study, work experience, military training, or prior coursework that did not result in credit. Passing a CLEP exam at the required score earns college credits equivalent to completing the corresponding introductory-level college course.

The CLEP exam process:

Check your college's CLEP policy: Before registering, confirm that your target college accepts CLEP credit, which subjects they accept, and what passing score they require. Most colleges require a score of 50 (on a 20–80 scale) but some require higher. Credit awarded also varies — some schools give full course credit; others give elective credit only.
Register and pay at clep.collegeboard.org: Create a College Board account and purchase your CLEP exam voucher ($93 per exam). After purchase, you receive a registration ticket to use when scheduling at a Prometric testing center.
Schedule at a Prometric test center: CLEP exams are administered at Prometric testing centers at over 2,000 locations (including many colleges). Schedule your exam date through Prometric after purchasing your voucher. Some colleges operate their own CLEP test centers — check with your school.
Take the exam: CLEP exams are computer-based and typically take 90 minutes (some language exams are longer). Questions are multiple choice; some exams also include an essay section (English Composition with Essay is required at some schools).
Receive and send scores: You see your score immediately after completing the exam. You can send scores to one college for free at the time of testing. Sending to additional colleges costs $20 per score report.

CLEP scoring: CLEP exams are scored on a 20–80 scale. A score of 50 is the standard passing threshold recommended by the American Council on Education (ACE) and required by most colleges. Higher scores are not universally required, but some selective institutions require 60+ for credit.

How Clep Exams Work - CLEP - College Level Examination Program certification study resource

CLEP Exams 2025–2026 at a Glance

Cost$93 + Fee

Exam fee: $93 per CLEP exam (College Board)
Test center fee: ~$20–$35 (varies by test center)
Score send: 1 free at testing; $20/each additional

Subjects Available34 Exams

Total subjects: 34 CLEP exams across 5 subject areas
Credits earned: Typically 3–12 credits per passing exam
Passing score: 50/80 (standard — verify with your college)

Colleges2,900+ Schools

Accepting colleges: 2,900+ US colleges and universities
Military: All US military branches fund CLEP for service members
Verify policy: Always confirm with your specific college

Exam Format90 Minutes

Duration: 90 minutes (most exams)
Format: Computer-based multiple choice at Prometric
Retake wait: 3 months between retake attempts

CLEP Exam Subjects — All 34 Available Tests

The College Board offers 34 CLEP exams organized into five subject areas. Each exam corresponds to one or more introductory college courses.

History and Social Sciences (9 exams):

American Government
History of the United States I: Early Colonization to 1877
History of the United States II: 1865 to the Present
Human Growth and Development
Introduction to Educational Psychology
Principles of Macroeconomics
Principles of Microeconomics
Social Sciences and History
Western Civilization I: Ancient Near East to 1648
Western Civilization II: 1648 to the Present

Composition and Literature (5 exams):

American Literature
Analyzing and Interpreting Literature
College Composition
College Composition Modular
English Literature

Science and Mathematics (7 exams):

Biology
Calculus
Chemistry
College Algebra
College Mathematics
Natural Sciences
Precalculus

Business (5 exams):

Financial Accounting
Information Systems
Introduction to Business Law
Principles of Management
Principles of Marketing

World Languages (8 exams):

French Language (Level 1 and Level 2)
German Language (Level 1 and Level 2)
Spanish Language (Level 1 and Level 2)
Spanish with Writing

Which Colleges Accept CLEP Credit?

Over 2,900 colleges and universities accept CLEP credit — but policies vary significantly. Checking your specific college's CLEP policy before registering is essential.

Types of CLEP credit policies:

Full course credit: Most public universities award full course credit for passing CLEP scores — you get credit for the corresponding introductory course (e.g., 3 credits for Principles of Marketing)
Elective credit only: Some schools accept CLEP scores but award only elective credits — the credits count toward your total but not toward specific course requirements
No CLEP credit: A minority of colleges (including many highly selective private universities) do not accept CLEP credit at all. Do not assume — verify with your school.

Military CLEP benefits: All active-duty US military service members can take CLEP exams for free through the Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES). The Department of Defense funds all CLEP fees for eligible service members, making CLEP an extremely cost-effective way for military personnel to earn college credits while serving.

How to find college CLEP policies: The College Board maintains a searchable database of college CLEP policies at clep.collegeboard.org/score-information/institution-search. Search your college to see which CLEP exams they accept, the minimum required score, and credits awarded. Policies update annually — verify the current policy at the admissions or registrar's office of your specific college.

Maximum CLEP credits: Many colleges limit the total number of credits you can earn through CLEP and other credit-by-examination programs. Typical limits range from 30–45 credits. Check your college's credit-by-examination policy for limits that apply to your degree program.

CLEP Exam Preparation Checklist

Verify your target college's CLEP policy before purchasing your exam voucher — confirm which subjects they accept, the minimum passing score they require, and credits awarded per examChoose your CLEP subject strategically — select exams where you have the most existing knowledge (past coursework, work experience, self-study) to maximize your pass probabilityDownload the CLEP Examination Guide from clep.collegeboard.org for your chosen subject — each subject guide includes the exam outline, recommended study resources, and sample questionsUse the REA CLEP Study Guides (available for most CLEP subjects) — these are the most widely recommended third-party prep materials and include full practice examsTake timed practice exams before test day — CLEP exams are 90 minutes for most subjects; practice under real time conditions to build endurance and time managementRegister at clep.collegeboard.org and purchase your exam voucher ($93) — then schedule at a Prometric testing center near youFor College Composition: check whether your target college requires the essay version (College Composition) or accepts the multiple-choice-only version (College Composition Modular) — essay scoring adds waiting time for official resultsAfter passing, request that your scores be sent to your college's registrar — follow your college's specific process for applying CLEP credits to your transcript

How to Prepare for CLEP Exams

CLEP exam preparation depends heavily on your existing knowledge. Students with strong background in a subject can pass with 2–4 weeks of focused review; students starting from scratch may need 6–12 weeks of intensive study.

Study resources by approach:

REA CLEP Study Guides: Available for most subjects, these guides include comprehensive content reviews and practice exams. They are the most popular third-party CLEP prep resource.
College Board's free CLEP materials: The official CLEP Examination Guide for each subject is free at clep.collegeboard.org. It includes sample questions and subject outlines — always review this first.
Khan Academy: For math-heavy exams (College Algebra, Calculus, Precalculus) and science exams (Biology, Chemistry), Khan Academy's free courses align closely with CLEP content and provide video explanations.
Instant Certification (Modern States): Modern States offers free CLEP preparation courses at modernstates.org — including free CLEP vouchers for eligible students who complete their courses. This is one of the most cost-effective CLEP preparation paths available.

Which CLEP exams are easiest to pass: Pass rates vary significantly by subject. History and Social Sciences exams (Principles of Management, Introduction to Business Law) generally have higher pass rates than Science and Mathematics exams. Biology and Chemistry have lower pass rates — more preparation is typically required. Choose subjects where your background gives you a realistic advantage.

Practice for your CLEP exam with our CLEP practice test and explore all CLEP practice test questions by subject area.

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