CLEP® for high school students: college credit exams you can take now
Yes, you can take CLEP® exams in high school: anyone can test at any CLEP test center. Here's what it costs, who can pay, where to test and how to check that your college will count it. Your college decides.
- $97The exam fee, plus the test center's or remote proctoring fee
- 13+Age to test at home (18+ in Illinois)
- All yearNo fixed test dates: each test center sets its own
Is CLEP® a good fit for you?
College Board suggests CLEP for these high school students:
Honors, advanced or gifted classes
Students in honors, advanced or gifted classes where the content matches.
Native or heritage speakers
Native or heritage speakers of Spanish, French or German.
Subjects AP® doesn't offer
Such as College Algebra, Precalculus and Sociology.
Missed an AP® exam
Students who miss the AP exam, where the content matches.
What CLEP® costs and who can pay
You
The exam is $97, plus the test center's fee, or $30 for remote proctoring at home.
Your school or district
You register yourself, but schools and districts can pay the fee with College Board vouchers.
Your state
High schools in Michigan, West Virginia and Ohio can get state funding for CLEP exams for eligible students with financial need.
How to register for a CLEP® exam
- Check your future college's policy. Before registering, look up whether the college you'll attend gives credit for CLEP.
- Register yourself. Students register themselves, even when the school pays.
- Under 13? A parent or guardian consents before College Board opens the account.
- Send your score. You can send it to two colleges free when you register.
- Book the test. Registering and booking a test appointment are separate steps.
Where to take it: at home or at a test center
At home
All 34 CLEP exams can be taken at home if you're 13 or older (18 in Illinois) and live in the U.S., not a U.S. territory.
At a test center
More than 2,000 test centers in the U.S. give CLEP exams, and high school students are welcome at any of them.
No government ID?
At a test center, high school students without a government ID can use the Student ID Form.
How CLEP® credit works
Your college decides
Each college has its own CLEP policy that says exactly what credit it gives. More than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities give credit for qualifying scores.
Scores
CLEP scores run from 20 to 80. Most show on the screen as soon as the exam ends.
Retakes
You can't retake the same exam within three months of your test date.
CLEP or AP®?
You prepare for CLEP on your own; AP exams come after an AP course. See AP® for high school students.
Study for your CLEP® exams with TransferCredit.org
One plan covers every CLEP course and study guide we sell: $29 a month or $69 for 3 months. Or pay $149 once for every CLEP and DSST course and guide.
CLEP for high school students: quick answers
Can high school students take CLEP exams?
Yes. Everyone is welcome to take a CLEP exam at any CLEP test center, including high school students.
How old do you have to be to take CLEP at home?
13 or older, or 18 or older for Illinois residents.
Can my school pay for my CLEP exam?
It can. Schools and districts can pay CLEP fees with College Board vouchers, and some states fund exams for students with financial need.
Will my college accept CLEP credit I earn in high school?
Your college decides. Look up its CLEP policy before you register.
What's the difference between CLEP and AP?
You prepare for CLEP on your own and test any time of year; AP exams follow an AP course and are in May.
Start with one subject you know
Check your college's policy, then study with our CLEP® prep courses and guides.
We source all of this information from College Board.