I often get asked about the various types of exams students can take to get college credit. Many have heard about the Advanced Placement (AP) test; but few have heard of or are not quite knowledgeable about the College Level Examination Program (CLEP) test.
Taking either or both can prove to be quite financially beneficial. One of our alumni who scored quite high on her AP tests also took the CLEP test in Spanish since we did not offer the AP course. After the results of all the exams, she actually received enough credits to be registered as a sophomore in college! Consider the amount of money she saved by not having to take all those courses and finish a year early.
Generally, I encourage as many students possible to take the CLEP test. Because of Dominion's rigor and standards of courses, our students tend to score quite high on the CLEP test. However, I also encourage that students take the exam soon after the completion of the course, and review is always important. I actually tell AP students that if they don’t get a high enough score to get college credit then try taking the CLEP.
So, that probably gets you thinking… why would a student take an AP course if they can CLEP out of classes as well?
Not all colleges accept CLEP tests. And of those that do, they usually only accept a handful of the 33 types of CLEP. Thus, it's important to check with the college(s) you are planning to attend as to which ones specifically are accepted. AP tests are easily accepted by most (if not all) colleges.
AP courses are directed toward the AP exam. There are no CLEP courses (other than the ones provided by tutoring services.) In addition, admission counselors look favorably upon students taking AP courses regardless of what their exam score is. Their reasoning is that if the student is able to handle the college level rigor of an AP course, then they are more likely to succeed their first year as a college freshman.
The way I see it...if a student can do well in an AP course and score high enough for college credit, then awesome. If a student takes the AP course, did well in the course, but did not score well on the exam, then he/she should take the CLEP version; chances are favorable he/she will score high and get to exempt. If a student is just not ready for an AP course, but is a Dominion student, then he/she should review and take the CLEP. Chances are he/she will do well enough to get college credit. As I say often: Nothing ventured; nothing gained.
For more information on the CLEP or AP exams, visit www.collegeboard.org
Taking either or both can prove to be quite financially beneficial. One of our alumni who scored quite high on her AP tests also took the CLEP test in Spanish since we did not offer the AP course. After the results of all the exams, she actually received enough credits to be registered as a sophomore in college! Consider the amount of money she saved by not having to take all those courses and finish a year early.
Generally, I encourage as many students possible to take the CLEP test. Because of Dominion's rigor and standards of courses, our students tend to score quite high on the CLEP test. However, I also encourage that students take the exam soon after the completion of the course, and review is always important. I actually tell AP students that if they don’t get a high enough score to get college credit then try taking the CLEP.
So, that probably gets you thinking… why would a student take an AP course if they can CLEP out of classes as well?
Not all colleges accept CLEP tests. And of those that do, they usually only accept a handful of the 33 types of CLEP. Thus, it's important to check with the college(s) you are planning to attend as to which ones specifically are accepted. AP tests are easily accepted by most (if not all) colleges.
AP courses are directed toward the AP exam. There are no CLEP courses (other than the ones provided by tutoring services.) In addition, admission counselors look favorably upon students taking AP courses regardless of what their exam score is. Their reasoning is that if the student is able to handle the college level rigor of an AP course, then they are more likely to succeed their first year as a college freshman.
The way I see it...if a student can do well in an AP course and score high enough for college credit, then awesome. If a student takes the AP course, did well in the course, but did not score well on the exam, then he/she should take the CLEP version; chances are favorable he/she will score high and get to exempt. If a student is just not ready for an AP course, but is a Dominion student, then he/she should review and take the CLEP. Chances are he/she will do well enough to get college credit. As I say often: Nothing ventured; nothing gained.
For more information on the CLEP or AP exams, visit www.collegeboard.org