GVSU accepts 34 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.
1258 — or DSST code 8866 — at registration so scores transmit to the Registrar automatically.34 CLEP® exams organized by category, with the minimum score and credit hours awarded for each.
| Exam | Min Score | Credits | Prep |
|---|---|---|---|
| Financial Accounting | 56 | 3 | Start prep → |
| Information Systems | 55 | 3 | Start prep → |
| Introductory Business Law | 55 | 3 | Start prep → |
| Principles of Marketing | 56 | 3 | Start prep → |
| Exam | Min Score | Credits | Prep |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Literature | 50 | 6 | Start prep → |
| Analyzing and Interpreting Literature | 50 | 3 | Start prep → |
| College Composition | 50 | 4 | Start prep → |
| College Composition Modular | 50 | 4 | Start prep → |
| English Literature | 50 | 6 | Start prep → |
| Humanities | 50 | 3 | 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 | 52 | 3 | Start prep → |
| Principles of Microeconomics | 52 | 3 | Start prep → |
| Social Sciences and History | 50 | 3 | 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 | 8 | Start prep → |
| Calculus | 50 | 4 | Start prep → |
| Chemistry | 60 | 4 | Start prep → |
| College Algebra | 50 | 3 | Start prep → |
| Natural Sciences | 50 | 3 | Start prep → |
| Precalculus | 50 | 3 | Start prep → |
| Exam | Min Score | Credits | Prep |
|---|---|---|---|
| French Language Level I | 50 | 8 | Start prep → |
| French Language Level II | 62 | 16 | Start prep → |
| German Language Level I | 50 | 8 | Start prep → |
| German Language Level II | 63 | 16 | Start prep → |
| Spanish Language Level I | 50 | 8 | Start prep → |
| Spanish Language Level II | 63 | 16 | Start prep → |
GVSU 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 GVSU 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 GVSU.
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.
GVSU 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.
GVSU'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 GVSU's Registrar workflow like any other transcript.
1258 at test registration — College Board transmits scores directly to the Registrar8866Four legitimate ways to earn GVSU credit without sitting in a 15-week university classroom. Here's the honest comparison.
8866). DSST covers 30+ subjects — including upper-level and technical topics CLEP® doesn't offer, like Business Ethics, Cybersecurity, and Criminal Justice. Exams are free for active-duty military through DANTES. Confirm accepted DSST subjects and minimum scores with the Registrar before scheduling.
Grand Valley State University is a public university in Allendale, Michigan, with additional presence in the Grand Rapids area. It serves students through a main campus in Allendale and other regional locations in West Michigan. The university is known for combining a suburban campus setting with access to a larger metropolitan region.
GVSU offers a broad range of undergraduate and graduate study across colleges and professional programs. It is especially known for programs in business, health professions, education, engineering, and the liberal arts. The university also emphasizes experiential learning, including internships, clinical experiences, research, and community engagement.
For CLEP and transfer-credit purposes, Grand Valley State University is generally a transfer-oriented public institution, but credit acceptance depends on the specific exam, score, course equivalency, and degree program. Students should expect that not every CLEP exam or outside course will apply in the same way to every major or requirement. The safest approach is to review the university's published transfer-credit and credit-by-exam policies before relying on any exam for degree progress.
Credit evaluation at GVSU is handled through the university's registrar and academic records processes, with final applicability determined by the appropriate academic unit. Incoming transfer work and exam-based credit are typically posted only after official documentation is received and reviewed. Students should consult the registrar and their advisor to confirm how credits will count toward general education, major, or elective requirements.
1258 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 Grand Valley State 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.