CLEP Exams: The Ultimate Guide to Earning Free College Credit

If you’re a busy mom (or dad!) trying to earn college credit on a shoestring budget, CLEP exams paired with Modern States are a secret weapon. Modern States gives you completely free college-level courses plus a free CLEP voucher once you finish—no loans, no lectures.

This hub walks you from “What are CLEP exams?” to walking out of the testing center with a passing score in hand. Think of this page section as your class prerequisite: all the information you need to know before signing up for a Modern States course. It also covers common questions related to starting college (or re-starting).

Table of Contents

Understanding Your Options

CLEP (College-Level Examination Program) lets you prove you already know college-level material by passing a standardized exam. Pass the test, skip the class, and save a ton of money and time. Over 2,900 colleges accept CLEP credits. Always check with your target college’s registrar’s office to confirm they accept the CLEP exam you want to take and what score you need.

What Is Modern States?

After you’ve determined the classes you want to test out of, Modern States is there to make CLEP exams accessible. They provide free courses as on-demand videos and materials that match the CLEP exam content. In addition, they provide free vouchers, which cover your $93 CLEP exam fee, after you complete and pass their course.

Getting Started: A Step-by-Step Pathway

  1. Choose Your Exam: Pick a subject you have knowledge in or are willing to learn.
  2. Verify College Acceptance: Check with your target college’s registrar to confirm they accept your chosen CLEP exam.
  3. Register with Modern States: Create a free account and enroll in your chosen course.
  4. Study: Watch the lectures and pass the practice quizzes.
  5. Final Quiz: Pass the Modern States final quiz.
  6. Request Your Voucher: Request your free exam voucher on Modern States.
  7. Purchase and Schedule Your Exam: Use the voucher on the College Board website to purchase your exam. Schedule your exam with your chosen testing center.
  8. Prepare for Test Day: Know what to expect and bring your government-issued ID.
  9. Submit Scores: Send, and verify your score is received by your college.

How to Study Effectively

Before and After Testing Logistics

  • Creating your CollegeBoard account and How to purchase a CLEP exam (coming soon)
  • Signing up for a test at a test center (coming soon)
  • CLEP Test Day: What to Expect & How to Prepare (coming soon)
  • Submitting your test scores to your colleges (coming soon)
  • Celebrate: Sharing your victory (coming soon)

What to Expect on Test Day

The two main items you’ll need to present on test day are a Government-Issued Photo ID (required) and the CLEP Registration Ticket.

I recommend bringing your notes to study right before test. You’ll test at a designated testing center on a computer. The average exam is multiple choice and 90 minutes. You’ll get your preliminary score right after finishing the exam for any exam that is only multiple choice.

Read the full walkthrough: CLEP Test Day: What to Expect & How to Prepare (coming soon)

Q&A: Questions and Answers

  • How many credits is a CLEP exam worth?

    Most exams are worth 3 credits, but some can be worth up to 9.

  • How soon will my college get my scores?

    Official score reports are sent to your designated institution approximately 2–3 weeks after you take your exam. You will see a preliminary score for most exams immediately upon completion at the test center.

  • What if my college isn’t on the CLEP College Credit Policy Search list?

    Always check directly with your college’s registrar. They have the final say.

  • Can I use CLEP credits for a Business degree?

    Absolutely! CLEP is perfect for general education requirements like Composition, Algebra, History, and Psychology.

Beyond CLEP: Your Credit-Earning Toolkit

CLEP is one powerful way to earn credit. To see how it compares to other methods like Portfolio Assessment, check out our detailed Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) page (coming soon).

Resource Hub

Glossary List

  1. ACE Credit (coming soon)
  2. Asynchronous Course
  3. CLEP
  4. College Board (coming soon)
  5. Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) (coming soon)
  6. Synchronous Learning (coming soon)
  7. Modern States
  8. Testing Center (coming soon)
  9. Voucher