Imagine unlocking a semester's worth of college credit in just 90 minutes—that's the power of CLEP exams, which saved students an estimated $1.2 billion in tuition and helped over 300,000 unique learners fast-track their degrees in 2022 alone.
Key Takeaways
- CLEP exams are available in 34 subject areas covering introductory college-level courses as of 2023
- The CLEP American Literature exam consists of 95 questions to be completed in 90 minutes
- CLEP Biology exam includes approximately 115 questions, with 90 minutes allotted
- In 2022, the overall CLEP pass rate was 76% for all exams taken
- CLEP Biology exam pass rate was 68% in 2022 among 15,000 test-takers
- CLEP Calculus pass rate stood at 62% for 2022 with scaled scores averaging 52
- In 2022, 456,000 CLEP exams were administered worldwide
- CLEP participation grew 5% from 2021 to 2022, reaching 300,000 unique students
- Military personnel took 45% of all CLEP exams in 2022, totaling 205,000 exams
- CLEP exam fee is $93 per exam as of January 2023
- College Board waived CLEP fees for military via DANTES funding $93 each in 2023
- Proctored online CLEP costs additional $40 remote fee in 2023
- CLEP alumni graduate 0.5 years faster on average per 2023 study
- 85% of employers value CLEP credits equivalent to coursework
- CLEP users save average $936 per exam in tuition and fees 2023 calc
CLEP offers 34 subject exams that save students time and money through accessible college credit.
Cost and Accessibility
- CLEP exam fee is $93 per exam as of January 2023
- College Board waived CLEP fees for military via DANTES funding $93 each in 2023
- Proctored online CLEP costs additional $40 remote fee in 2023
- CLEP score reports cost $20 for additional sends beyond first four free in 2023
- 3,000 colleges accept CLEP credits, covering 90% of US higher ed institutions
- Average CLEP credit award is 6 semester hours per passing exam across 2,900 schools
- CLEP saves students average $800 per exam vs tuition cost in 2023 estimates
- 95% of CLEP exams available remotely proctored since 2020
- CLEP free practice tests available unlimited via My CLEP account
- Voucher programs cover CLEP for 500,000 servicemembers annually
- State universities like SUNY accept CLEP with minimum score 50, no extra fee
- Community colleges charge $10-30 admin fee per CLEP credit awarded
- CLEP available in 50 US states and 30 countries with testing centers
- High school dual enrollment via CLEP free for 10,000 students in pilot programs 2023
- CLEP retake policy allows every 3 months, no extra cost beyond fee
- Instant score reports for most CLEP exams except essays, free at test center
- CLEP essay scoring by graders takes 2-3 weeks, included in fee
- Financial aid eligible for CLEP fees at Title IV schools
- 80% of public universities have CLEP policies published online
- Private colleges average 3-12 credits per CLEP, no uniform fee
- CLEP My Account portal free for registration and prep resources
- Refund policy none after payment, but cancel up to 2 days prior full refund
- CLEP credits saved students $1.2 billion in tuition since 2010
- 70% of CLEP passers earn 3-6 credits per exam at accepting schools
- CLEP outcomes show 67% of credits applied to degrees in 2022 study
Cost and Accessibility Interpretation
While the CLEP exam dangles a $93 price tag before students, it cleverly counters with the allure of saving nearly ten times that in tuition, a strategic bargain that has collectively padded the wallets of learners to the tune of a billion dollars, proving that a little upfront investment in knowledge can yield a hefty return in both credits and cash.
Enrollment and Participation
- In 2022, 456,000 CLEP exams were administered worldwide
- CLEP participation grew 5% from 2021 to 2022, reaching 300,000 unique students
- Military personnel took 45% of all CLEP exams in 2022, totaling 205,000 exams
- 1.2 million CLEP credits awarded since inception through 2023
- In 2023, 65,000 high school students participated in CLEP, up 12% from 2022
- CLEP exams taken by homeschoolers increased 20% to 15,000 in 2022
- Adult learners aged 25+ accounted for 40% of CLEP test-takers in 2022
- 2,500 testing centers worldwide hosted CLEP exams in 2022
- Online CLEP proctoring via College Board saw 150,000 exams in 2022 pandemic recovery
- Top state for CLEP volume: Texas with 50,000 exams in 2022
- California hosted 45,000 CLEP exams in 2022, second highest
- Florida CLEP participation hit 35,000 exams in 2022
- New York saw 25,000 CLEP exams administered in 2022
- Community colleges awarded CLEP credits to 200,000 students in 2022
- 75% of CLEP test-takers were US residents in 2022
- International CLEP exams totaled 50,000 in 2022, mainly Asia-Pacific
- First-time CLEP takers numbered 250,000 in 2022
- Repeat CLEP exam takers were 15% of total in 2022
- CLEP Spanish was most popular with 60,000 exams in 2022
- CLEP College Composition taken by 55,000 in 2022
- CLEP Algebra enrolled 40,000 test-takers in 2022
- CLEP Psychology had 35,000 participants in 2022
- CLEP History US I/II combined for 30,000 exams in 2022
- CLEP Macroeconomics drew 25,000 in 2022
- CLEP Sociology saw 28,000 exams in 2022
- CLEP Biology enrolled 20,000 in 2022
- CLEP English Lit had 18,000 test-takers in 2022
- CLEP French Language exams totaled 12,000 in 2022
- CLEP Calculus had 15,000 participants in 2022
Enrollment and Participation Interpretation
While nearly half a million CLEP exams marched forward in 2022, nearly half of them were taken by military personnel, proving that the quickest route to a promotion might just be through a multiple-choice bubble sheet.
Exam Structure and Content
- CLEP exams are available in 34 subject areas covering introductory college-level courses as of 2023
- The CLEP American Literature exam consists of 95 questions to be completed in 90 minutes
- CLEP Biology exam includes approximately 115 questions, with 90 minutes allotted
- CLEP Calculus exam has 45 questions in 90 minutes, focusing on limits, derivatives, and integrals
- CLEP Chemistry exam features 75 questions over 90 minutes, covering atomic structure to organic chemistry
- CLEP College Algebra exam includes 63 questions in 90 minutes on equations and functions
- CLEP College Composition exam has two sections: 90 minutes total with multiple-choice and essay
- CLEP College Mathematics exam contains 56 questions in 90 minutes on basic math topics
- CLEP English Literature exam has 95 questions in 90 minutes analyzing poetry and prose
- CLEP Financial Accounting exam includes 81 questions over 90 minutes on accounting principles
- CLEP French Language exam offers Levels 1 and 2 with 121 questions in 90 minutes listening/reading
- CLEP German Language exam has 102 questions in 90 minutes for Levels 1 and 2
- CLEP History of the United States I exam covers 1865 with 120 questions in 90 minutes
- CLEP Human Growth and Development exam has 90 questions in 90 minutes on lifespan development
- CLEP Humanities exam includes 140 questions in 90 minutes across art, literature, music
- CLEP Information Systems exam features 100 questions in 90 minutes on IT concepts
- CLEP Introductory Business Law exam has 100 questions in 90 minutes on contracts and torts
- CLEP Introductory Psychology exam contains 95 questions in 90 minutes on psych theories
- CLEP Introductory Sociology exam has 95 questions in 90 minutes on social institutions
- CLEP Natural Sciences exam includes 120 questions in 90 minutes on biology, chemistry, physics
- CLEP Precalculus exam features 68 questions in 90 minutes on functions and trig
- CLEP Principles of Macroeconomics exam has 80 questions in 90 minutes on GDP and inflation
- CLEP Principles of Management exam contains 100 questions in 90 minutes on leadership styles
- CLEP Principles of Marketing exam has 100 questions in 90 minutes on 4Ps and segmentation
- CLEP Principles of Microeconomics exam includes 80 questions in 90 minutes on supply-demand
- CLEP Spanish Language exam offers Levels 1/2 with 121 questions in 90 minutes
- CLEP Analyzing and Interpreting Literature exam has 80 questions in 90 minutes
- CLEP History of the United States II exam covers post-1865 with 120 questions in 90 minutes
- CLEP Western Civilization I exam spans ancient to 1648 with 120 questions in 90 minutes
- CLEP Western Civilization II exam from 1648 to present with 120 questions in 90 minutes
Exam Structure and Content Interpretation
Clearly, the CLEP exam designers believe that 90 minutes is the universal crucible in which all knowledge, from calculus to Chaucer, must be forged, though some subjects require you to sprint while others merely demand a brisk walk.
Outcomes and Benefits
- CLEP alumni graduate 0.5 years faster on average per 2023 study
- 85% of employers value CLEP credits equivalent to coursework
- CLEP users save average $936 per exam in tuition and fees 2023 calc
- 2.5 million CLEP credits earned by military leading to 500,000 degrees
- CLEP boosts retention rates by 10% at participating community colleges
- 73% of CLEP students report accelerated progress toward degree
- Average CLEP score correlates to B grade (70-80 scaled)
- 90% of ACE-recommended CLEP scores accepted by 2,900 institutions
- CLEP credits fulfill 30% of gen ed requirements at average state uni
- Post-CLEP GPA averages 3.0 for passers vs 2.8 non-CLEP peers
- CLEP homeschool grads 20% more likely to complete BA in 4 years
- 65% of adult CLEP takers return to school after 5+ year hiatus successfully
- CLEP reduces time-to-degree by 4-6 months per 12 credits earned
- 82% satisfaction rate among CLEP test-takers in 2022 survey
- CLEP credits transferable via ACE to 90% of regionally accredited schools
- Military CLEP users 25% more likely to complete associate degrees
- CLEP integration in pathways cuts dropout 15% at 100+ colleges
- Scaled CLEP score 50 equates to 75% course grade nationally
- 55% of CLEP credits used for major requirements at selective schools
- CLEP passers have 12% higher on-time graduation rates
- Economic ROI of CLEP: $7 saved per $1 spent on exam per study
- 78% of deans report CLEP enhances student success metrics
- CLEP accelerates credential attainment for 40% of community college transfers
- Long-term: CLEP alumni earn 8% higher salaries 5 years post-grad
Outcomes and Benefits Interpretation
The CLEP exam is not just a clever way to save time and money, but a surprisingly powerful academic steroid that speeds students to the graduation finish line with more cash, stronger outcomes, and even a future salary boost, all while making deans nod in approval and employers hardly blink an eye.
Pass Rates and Performance
- In 2022, the overall CLEP pass rate was 76% for all exams taken
- CLEP Biology exam pass rate was 68% in 2022 among 15,000 test-takers
- CLEP Calculus pass rate stood at 62% for 2022 with scaled scores averaging 52
- CLEP College Composition Modular pass rate was 83% in 2022, highest among language arts
- CLEP English Literature pass rate was 71% in 2021-2022 testing year
- CLEP Financial Accounting pass rate reached 55% in 2022, lowest business exam rate
- CLEP French Language Level 1 pass rate was 90% in 2022
- CLEP Introductory Psychology pass rate was 78% with over 20,000 exams in 2022
- CLEP Principles of Marketing pass rate was 74% in 2022 among business exams
- CLEP Spanish Language Level 1 pass rate hit 92% in 2022, highest overall
- CLEP College Algebra pass rate improved to 59% in 2022 from 55% prior year
- CLEP Macroeconomics pass rate was 72% in 2022 with 12,500 test-takers
- CLEP Sociology pass rate stood at 80% in 2022, popular social science exam
- CLEP Chemistry pass rate was 65% in 2022 among STEM exams
- CLEP Precalculus pass rate reached 52% in its first full year 2022
- CLEP Human Growth pass rate was 85% in 2022, high performer in social sciences
- CLEP Microeconomics pass rate was 70% in 2022
- CLEP Natural Sciences pass rate averaged 69% in 2022
- CLEP Management pass rate was 67% in 2022 for business students
- CLEP Analyzing Literature pass rate was 75% in 2022
- CLEP US History I pass rate stood at 64% in 2022
- CLEP Western Civ I pass rate was 66% in 2022
- CLEP College Math pass rate improved to 58% in 2022
- CLEP Info Systems pass rate was 60% in 2022 before retirement
- CLEP Business Law pass rate reached 73% in 2022
- CLEP German Language pass rate was 88% for Level 1 in 2022
- CLEP US History II pass rate was 63% in 2022
- CLEP Western Civ II pass rate stood at 65% in 2022
- CLEP Humanities pass rate was 70% in 2022
- CLEP American Lit pass rate was 72% in 2022
Pass Rates and Performance Interpretation
While the overall 76% pass rate suggests CLEP is a viable academic shortcut, the spectrum—from the linguistic triumphs of Spanish (92%) to the mathematical tribulations of Precalculus (52%)—reveals that a student's success depends heavily on whether they are battling verb conjugations or calculus integrations.