Complete one year of college in one week!

The title of this blog post maybe sensational, however, it is technically true. Read on to learn about the College Level Examination Program (CLEP).

What is CLEP

According to the College Board:

CLEP exams test mastery of college-level material acquired in a variety of ways — through general academic instructions, significant independent study or extracurricular work. CLEP exam-takers include adults just entering or returning to school, military service members and traditional college students.

CLEP is designed to assist students in reaching their academic goals by gaining college credit for knowledge acquired in previous non-credit studies or outside a traditional classroom setting.

You can learn more about CLEP, try practice CLEP tests and obtain study guides from the College Board:
http://clep.collegeboard.org/

How can CLEP help me?

If you have certain requirements for your degree that you believe you have met with knowledge obtained elsewhere; you can avoid having to take classes that meet those requirements by taking a CLEP test.

The College of Business Administration accepts CLEP credit in select Business, English, History, Science and Math classes.

A maximum of 30 hours of credit can be awarded through CLEP. The link below shows all the CLEP exams offered at UIC:
http://uic.edu/depts/counselctr/testing/Testing_Programs/CLEP/exam_list.htm

How much does CLEP cost

Each test costs $80 (plus a $25 proctor fee) through the Office of Testing Services.

Click on the link below for more information:
http://www.uic.edu/depts/counselctr/testing/Testing_Programs/CLEP/Exam_fee.htm

How do I get started

Consult an Academic Adviser to determine which CLEP exams you are eligible to take. This will depend on which credits you still have to complete.

Once you know exactly which exams you can take work with the Office of Testing Services to schedule your exams. Click on the link below to access their website:
http://www.uic.edu/depts/counselctr/testing/Testing_Programs/CLEP/CLEP.htm

Final Words

If you are a prospective transfer student concerned about whether all your credits will transfer towards your UIC requirements, CLEP is a great way to bridge the gap. If you are a currently enrolled student that would like to graduate faster and spend less money on tuition CLEP may be your answer. The time and money saving possibilities with CLEP are limited only by your imagination.