subject: Earn CLEP Credit During Summer Vacation [print this page] Earn CLEP Credit During Summer Vacation Earn CLEP Credit During Summer Vacation
While many college students use their summer vacations to kick back and relax, they could put this time to better use by getting ahead in their education. And they needn't darken the door of a classroom to make these educational gains. A wise student will use her summer vacation to study for CLEP exams and then gain college credit by testing out of the subject material.
The College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) offers 33 exams on a variety of subjects, ranging from American Literature to College Algebra. Students can earn anwhere from 3 to 12 credits for each exam. And each CLEP test costs only $72 (increasing to $77 on July 1, 2010). CLEP offers a real bargain considering the ever rising cost of tuition and fees at public and private universities across the nation.
Some students choose to study for these CLEP exams on their own, using a textbook or other study materials. Others find it most effective to study in a group setting. Still other students prefer to enroll in a test preparation course, where structured study materials streamline the CLEP exam study process. Traditionally offered at local study centers, CLEP exam test prep courses are now being offered in an online format. These online courses provide a convenient option for students who are juggling work and study or for those who lack geographic proximity to a test prep center. Of course, many students simply prefer the self-paced freedom of studying from the comfort of their own home.
The advantages of pursuing CLEP exams are numerous. Of course, as mentioned before, the financial savings are significant. But the student also saves precious time. A student can usually study for and pass a CLEP exam in much less time than he would spend taking a traditional college course. Additionally, the student doesn't have to waste long hours attending boring lectures for subjects in which she has no interest. Using CLEP to breeze past basic courses will enable the student to spend his time at college focusing on subjects in his desired major.
To get started on your CLEP summer pursuit, log on to the College Board's website and determine if your college accepts CLEP credit. To determine this, simply use the College Board's CLEP College Search or call your academic advisor. Next, you should browse through the course descriptions of the various tests that CLEP offers. Decide which tests you would like to take, and then register to take the exams at your nearest CLEP test center. Next, decide whether you'd like to study on your own with a textbook or by enrolling in an online test prep course. Then, get to studying!
