Clep Scores
If you are considering taking a clep test then you need to be familiar with the scoring model. The reason this is so important is that clep tests are pass or fail only. This means, that it does not matter how well you do percentage wise, it’s simply a matter of passing the test.
From the transcript standpoint, no one will know if you aced the test with flying colors or if you barely squeaked by. Because credit is given based on the score and is not presented on your transcript so it does not affect your GPA.
For those who are like me, test taking is not my strength however, I was able to pass a number of clep tests and while I didn’t pass any of them perfectly I was able to just get by in a way that gave me full credit for every test that I took without harming my GPA.
Clep scores range from 20 to 80 traditionally, depending on the test you are looking at taking you typically need a 50 or higher in order to pass. The great thing about clep tests are the have a couple of subjects that if you do well considering the difficulty of the tests you can earn 6 and even 12 credit hours.
For example, I was able to test out of the Spanish clep tests, this score is like most tests in that it ranges from 20 to 80 however if you score between a 50 and 62 you get 6 credit hour’s but if you score above a 63 you earn 12 credit hours. Think of the amount of time and money you save by earning 12 credit hours in about an hour.
And also think about this, even though you don’t need to worry about a percentage score and how will you do on the test a 63/80 is not even a B-. This means that you can score a fairly low percentage grade and get 12 credit hours in that percentage grade does not show up on your transcript.
Make sure to work with the testing center of the college or university that you are attending because the clep scores can be electronically transferred after you get done taking the test. This is considerably easier than having to take the test of a third-party testing center and then try and facilitate getting your test results back to the University.
Taking the clep test or multiple clep test is the best thing you can do to shave years off of your college experience and save thousands of dollars in tuition costs. Be familiar with the clep scores as well as spend time studying the official clep test study guide to help you be prepared to take the test annual pass that test every time.