Excelsior accepts 36 CLEP® exams for transferable college credit. Here's every exam, its minimum required score, and credit hours awarded — plus the other credit-by-exam and prior-learning pathways available at this university.
2899 at registration — scores transmit to the Registrar automatically.36 CLEP® exams organized by category, with the minimum score and credit hours awarded for each.
| Exam | Min Score | Credits | Prep |
|---|---|---|---|
| Financial Accounting | 50 | 3 | Start prep → |
| Information Systems | 50 | 3 | Start prep → |
| Introductory Business Law | 50 | 3 | Start prep → |
| Principles of Management | 50 | 3 | Start prep → |
| Principles of Marketing | 50 | 3 | Start prep → |
| Exam | Min Score | Credits | Prep |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Literature | 50 | 6 | Start prep → |
| Analyzing and Interpreting Literature | 50 | 6 | Start prep → |
| College Composition | 50 | 6 | Start prep → |
| College Composition Modular | 50 | 3 | Start prep → |
| English Literature | 50 | 6 | Start prep → |
| Humanities | 50 | 6 | Start prep → |
| Exam | Min Score | Credits | Prep |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Government | 50 | 3 | Start prep → |
| History of the United States I: Early Colonization to 1877 | 50 | 3 | Start prep → |
| History of the United States II: 1865 to the Present | 50 | 3 | Start prep → |
| Human Growth and Development | 50 | 3 | Start prep → |
| Introduction to Educational Psychology | 50 | 3 | Start prep → |
| Introductory Psychology | 50 | 3 | Start prep → |
| Introductory Sociology | 50 | 3 | Start prep → |
| Principles of Macroeconomics | 50 | 3 | Start prep → |
| Principles of Microeconomics | 50 | 3 | Start prep → |
| Social Sciences and History | 50 | 6 | Start prep → |
| Western Civilization I: Ancient Near East to 1648 | 50 | 3 | Start prep → |
| Western Civilization II: 1648 to the Present | 50 | 3 | Start prep → |
| Exam | Min Score | Credits | Prep |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biology | 50 | 6 | Start prep → |
| Calculus | 50 | 3 | Start prep → |
| Chemistry | 50 | 6 | Start prep → |
| College Algebra | 50 | 3 | Start prep → |
| College Mathematics | 50 | 6 | Start prep → |
| Natural Sciences | 50 | 6 | Start prep → |
| Precalculus | 50 | 3 | Start prep → |
| Exam | Min Score | Credits | Prep |
|---|---|---|---|
| French Language Level I | 50 | 6 | Start prep → |
| French Language Level II | 59 | 12 | Start prep → |
| German Language Level I | 50 | 6 | Start prep → |
| German Language Level II | 60 | 12 | Start prep → |
| Spanish Language Level I | 50 | 6 | Start prep → |
| Spanish Language Level II | 63 | 12 | Start prep → |
Excelsior is listed as an NCCRS member on nationalccrs.org and recognized on acenet.edu. Beyond CLEP®, it may accept both ACE-recommended and NCCRS-recommended coursework — three complementary pathways to your degree. Acceptance of specific courses is determined by the Excelsior Registrar under its prior-learning policy; confirm before enrolling.
Most students pass their CLEP® on the first try. If you don't, your subscription unlocks the matching ACE/NCCRS self-paced course — with a retake-able final exam. Either route earns you transferable credit at Excelsior.
Self-paced courses across the full gen-ed and major-requirement catalog. Each carries an official ACE or NCCRS credit recommendation — submitted to the Registrar like any transcript.
Excelsior is both an ACE-aligned institution (per acenet.edu) and an NCCRS member (per nationalccrs.org). Acceptance of specific courses is determined at the Registrar's discretion under prior-learning policy — confirm with your registrar before enrolling.
Excelsior's minimum CLEP® scores run 50 – 63. Generic flashcard apps aim for "passing." We're built for acing.
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We're credit-by-exam prep provider and offer ACE/NCCRS coursework via our partners — both pathways produce official records that feed into Excelsior's Registrar workflow like any other transcript.
2899 at test registration — College Board transmits scores directly to the Registrar(confirm with Registrar)Three legitimate ways to earn Excelsior credit without sitting in a 15-week university classroom. Here's the honest comparison.
Excelsior University is a private university based in Albany, New York. It is known primarily for online and adult-focused education, serving students who need flexible degree completion options. The institution operates as a distance-learning university rather than a traditional residential campus.
The university offers undergraduate and graduate programs across fields such as business, health sciences, nursing, technology, public service, and liberal arts. It is especially known for serving adult learners, transfer students, and working professionals. Excelsior also has a long-standing reputation for prior learning assessment and credit transfer flexibility.
For CLEP and other credit-by-exam pathways, Excelsior is generally considered transfer-friendly, but acceptance depends on the specific exam, score, and degree program. Students should verify how any exam credit applies to their intended major and degree requirements. Policies can change, so official evaluation is always required before relying on exam credit.
Credit evaluation at Excelsior is handled through the university's registrar and academic records processes, with transfer and exam credits reviewed against program requirements. Students typically need official documentation sent directly from testing agencies or prior institutions for credit to be posted. Final applicability of any credit is determined by the university and may vary by school, program, and degree level.
2899 when registering for your CLEP® exam. Scores transmit automatically to the Registrar.One subscription. 25+ CLEP® subjects for prep. 70+ ACE/NCCRS courses via partner. Pass-or-pivot safety net. Start your trial today.
TransferCredit.org is an independent education service, not affiliated with or endorsed by Excelsior University. CLEP® is a registered trademark of the College Board. DSST is a registered trademark of Prometric. Credit policy facts verified at time of writing; always confirm current policy with the Registrar.