NIU accepts 38 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.
1559 at registration — scores transmit to the Registrar automatically.38 CLEP® exams organized by category, with the minimum score and credit hours awarded for each.
| Exam | Min Score | Credits | Prep |
|---|---|---|---|
| Financial Accounting | 60 | 3 | Start prep → |
| Information Systems | 60 | 3 | Start prep → |
| Introductory Business Law | 60 | 3 | Start prep → |
| Principles of Management | 60 | 3 | Start prep → |
| Principles of Marketing | 60 | 3 | Start prep → |
| Exam | Min Score | Credits | Prep |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Literature | 50 | 3 | Start prep → |
| Analyzing and Interpreting Literature | 60 | 3 | Start prep → |
| College Composition | 50 | 3 | Start prep → |
| College Composition Modular | 60 | 3 | Start prep → |
| English Literature | 50 | 3 | Start prep → |
| Humanities | 56 | 6 | Start prep → |
| Exam | Min Score | Credits | Prep |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Government | 61 | 3 | Start prep → |
| History of the United States I: Early Colonization to 1877 | 60 | 3 | Start prep → |
| History of the United States II: 1865 to the Present | 60 | 3 | Start prep → |
| Human Growth and Development | 50 | 3 | Start prep → |
| Introduction to Educational Psychology | 60 | 3 | Start prep → |
| Introductory Psychology | 52 | 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 | 56 | 6 | Start prep → |
| Western Civilization I: Ancient Near East to 1648 | 60 | 3 | Start prep → |
| Western Civilization II: 1648 to the Present | 60 | 3 | Start prep → |
| Exam | Min Score | Credits | Prep |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biology | 50 | 4 | Start prep → |
| Calculus | 50 | 4 | Start prep → |
| Chemistry | 50 | 8 | Start prep → |
| College Algebra | 60 | 3 | Start prep → |
| College Mathematics | 60 | 3 | Start prep → |
| Natural Sciences | 56 | 7 | Start prep → |
| Precalculus | 60 | 3 | Start prep → |
| Exam | Min Score | Credits | Prep |
|---|---|---|---|
| French Language Level I | 50 | 6 | Start prep → |
| French Language Level II | 63 | 12 | Start prep → |
| German Language Level I | 50 | 6 | Start prep → |
| German Language Level II | 63 | 12 | Start prep → |
| Spanish Language Level I | 50 | 6 | Start prep → |
| Spanish Language Level II | 63 | 12 | Start prep → |
| Spanish with Writing Level I | 50 | 6 | Start prep → |
| Spanish with Writing Level II | 63 | 12 | Start prep → |
NIU is recognized on acenet.edu as an ACE-aligned institution. Beyond CLEP®, it may accept ACE-recommended coursework toward degree requirements. Acceptance of specific courses is determined by the NIU 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 NIU.
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.
NIU is an ACE-aligned institution per acenet.edu. Acceptance of specific courses is determined at the Registrar's discretion — confirm before enrolling.
NIU'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 NIU's Registrar workflow like any other transcript.
1559 at test registration — College Board transmits scores directly to the Registrar(confirm with Registrar)Three legitimate ways to earn NIU credit without sitting in a 15-week university classroom. Here's the honest comparison.
Northern Illinois University is a public research university in DeKalb, Illinois, with additional regional presence in the Chicago area. It is one of Illinois' public universities and serves a broad undergraduate and graduate student population. The university is known for combining a traditional campus setting with access to a major metropolitan region.
NIU offers a wide range of academic programs through its colleges and schools, including undergraduate, graduate, and professional study. It is especially known for strengths in areas such as business, education, engineering, health-related fields, and the arts and sciences. The university also emphasizes research, applied learning, and public service.
For students considering CLEP or other transfer credit options, NIU is the kind of institution that typically evaluates prior learning through established university credit policies rather than automatically granting credit for every exam. Credit acceptance can depend on the subject, score, degree program, and how the credit fits the student's academic plan. Students should review NIU's current transfer and credit-by-exam policies before relying on exam credit for degree progress.
Credit evaluation at NIU is handled through the university's official academic and registrar processes. Incoming transfer work and exam-based credit are reviewed according to institutional rules, and accepted credit is posted on the student's record in accordance with those policies. Because requirements can vary by college and major, students should confirm details with the registrar or academic advising office before enrolling or testing.
1559 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 Northern Illinois 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.