subject: Clep Exams Benefit Students Of All Ages [print this page] The CLEP, or College Level Examination Program, allows you to take up to 34 different exams that can be used in the place of college courses. No matter what level of school you are in, CLEP exams can save you time and money. The CLEP program was designed to help students advance through their studies more quickly. The tests are accepted as college credit by colleges and universities across the United States. Anyone at any age is allowed to take a CLEP test.
Significantly Reduce the Time You Spend in College Classes
Most university programs include courses that are not directly related to your degree. If you take advantage of the CLEP option, you will be able to bypass the time and effort of attending some of these general courses. CLEP qualifies as course credit, so you will still meet all of the qualifications for graduation. You can study for a CLEP test on your own schedule, however, and take the test when you are ready. The time that you would have spent on homework or attending class can be used for other classes that are a higher priority for you.
Save Money Through CLEP
Every college and university course carries costs that are not readily apparent. Aside from tuition, you will be responsible for purchasing textbooks and other class materials that can be very expensive. The average student spends as much on textbooks as they spend on tuition for individual classes. CLEP offers you an opportunity to learn the material without having to buy specific expensive texts. You can use any resource to learn the information that is tested on a CLEP exam. The CLEP exams cost less than $100, which is a mere fraction of the money you would spend on a traditional college course.
High School Students Get a Head Start
The CLEP program is a good way for high school students to begin their college career early. Anyone, at any age, is eligible to take a CLEP exam. With 34 test subjects available, a high school student could possibly reduce the time they spend in college by one or two semesters. If you plan to use CLEP as an early college completion option before you are accepted at a specific university, you can find listings of schools that accept CLEP credits and then choose to apply to those schools. The time you spend studying and taking a CLEP tests in high school will give you more time to begin earning money in your chosen career when you graduate from college early.
Non-Traditional Students Finish Faster
There are many students who don't attend college immediately after high school. These non-traditional students are usually trying to finish college while they work full time jobs and raise families. Using the CLEP option, busy older students can reduce the number of credits they need to graduate. CLEP exams are not bound by specific time constraints, so they fit into any busy schedule comfortably.
