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College-Level Examination Program

Shorten your path to a college degree -- with CLEP!
The College-Level Examination Program or CLEP provides students of any age with the opportunity to demonstrate college-level achievement through a program of exams in undergraduate college courses.

Why take CLEP exams?
By taking one or more CLEP exams in your strong subjects, you'll...

  • Save time. Get college credit for what you already know. Be rewarded for what you've learned through independent study, advanced high school courses, noncredit adult courses, or professional development.

  • Save money. $72, plus a site fee is less than tuition costs.

  • Make college more interesting. Move right into advanced courses.

  • Satisfy a proficiency requirement. Demonstrate you've already mastered the content of, for example, a basic math or language course.


How do I find out more information about CLEP?
The best web site for detailed information is Collegeboard.com. The site offers complete information about the exam program: how to locate and register for CLEP exams at a site near you, how to prepare for the exams, and how you’ll get your scores and transcript your test results. There are also many exam descriptions.


Will my employer pay for CLEP?
Check with your employer for information on assistance with education-related expenses.


What will Minnesota West accept for credit?
The General Exams that Minnesota West accepts for general education credit are: Humanities, English, Natural Sciences, and Social Sciences/History.

The CLEP exam in Freshman Composition is not accepted for English Composition at Minnesota West. The Minnesota Transfer Curriculum requires a research component for Freshman Composition and CLEP exams do not cover research.

All Subject Exams are accepted for either general education or program major credit. Contact your program advisor for questions on these exams. See the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum for required areas and courses.


How do I get my scores sent to Minnesota West?
Identify Minnesota West, Worthington campus, code # 6945, on your examination and the results will be sent to us.


How many CLEP exams can be taken at one time?
At Minnesota West, a person can take two 90-minute exams on any CLEP testing day. Policies may vary at other sites. Contact your site for information.


What percentile or score is considered passing?
Minnesota West requires a 70% or a “C” competency score. Other colleges may have different policies.


Is there a limit to the number of CLEP credits I can apply toward completion of the degree requirements at Minnesota West?
Minnesota West requires that all degree and diploma seekers complete a minimum of 20 credits with Minnesota West. Minnesota West will permit the use of 24 semester hours of CLEP, Advanced Placement, CBE, and other forms of credit by examination to complete a degree or diploma program major.


Under what circumstances am I ineligible to take a General CLEP exam?
You are ineligible to take a General exam that covers college course work for which you have previously received credit. For example, if you have completed a college-level science course, you are ineligible to take the General exam in Natural Science. Check with your academic counselor if you are unsure about a previously taken class.


Under what circumstances am I ineligible to take a Subject exam? Subject exams require a higher degree of specialized knowledge and training than General exams. Therefore, courses taken in a broad subject area, like Humanities for instance, do not necessarily prohibit you from earning CLEP credit in a specialized area within Humanities, such as in a foreign language. However, taking Psychology 1101 prevents you from taking the CLEP subject exam in General Psychology.

How do I know if CLEP is for me?
Students in the top 15% of their high school class generally do well on CLEP exams. In addition, life-long learners, who seek knowledge for the “sake of knowledge only,” typically do well. After looking through the exam descriptions, you should be able to determine if you have the background in a specific area necessary to successfully complete the exam.


What happens if I do not pass the CLEP exam?
There is no penalty other than forfeiting the cost of the exam. Your transcript will not reflect your failure to pass a CLEP exam.


What if I have more questions?
Mike Fury is the CLEP contact for Minnesota West and can be reached at 507-372-3407 or mike.furyREMOVE-THIS@mnwest.edu.

 

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