Reducing College Tuition Expenses With Clep

By Author: Speedyprep
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Individuals pursue college degrees for different reasons and at different stages in their lives. Nowadays, fewer college students are traditional learners, that is, those who enter a four year degree program straight out of high school, and more and more individuals pursuing an undergraduate degree are working adults who desire a new career or adults such as empty nesters, stay-at-home mothers, or military personnel who are just finding the right time in their life to complete their degree.

College Level Examination Program (CLEP) provides a way for students to transfer their knowledge of material taught in the first two years of college into academic credits by taking standardized CLEP exams in subjects such as math, history, and English. Satisfactory scores on each CLEP test can provide the student between 3 and 12 credits. The advantages of taking CLEP exams are numerous!

One of the most obvious benefits of CLEP exams is the monetary savings in actual tuition expenses. Taking even one CLEP ...
... test, which each cost $72 to take (plus a small administrative fee), can save a student hundreds or even thousands of dollars in tuition expenses. If a student takes two CLEP testsand earns six credit hours, he or she may be able to take 12 credit hours one semester instead of 18. Using the extra time that is now available, the student may choose to put in more hours at work and earn extra money. Some of the other monetary benefits of CLEP exams are less obvious, but nonetheless present. For instance a student who graduates one year sooner due to having used CLEP exams to meet freshman level course requirements is able to enter the workforce and have a greater lifetime earning potential than the student who took four or more years to complete a degree. Also, fewer student loans means less money paid in interest payments over the life of the loans.

Unlike some standardized exams, such as AP exams, there are no prerequisite course requirements for CLEP tests. Students often find that they already possess the knowledge required to take a CLEP test. This knowledge may have been gained through a high school class, job, training seminar, cultural experience, or some other life experience. Most students, however, possess little knowledge of the subject and therefore must study to prepare for the CLEP test.

Methods of CLEP test preparation are numerous! Since they learn differently, have different learning needs, and varying levels of background knowledge, students will find different study methods to be effective. Many students are able to successfully prepare for their CLEP test in one month of less with studying several hours each day. Dedicated students who allot uninterrupted time to study may even be able to prepare for their CLEP test in as little as two to three days.

With the uncertain economic conditions present in the U.S. and across the world, students are eager for ways to save money while earning a valuable education. Academic advisors can be an excellent resource for students who are wishing to learn more about their college's CLEP policies and find out how they, too, can save money on college tuition using CLEP tests.

About US: College Level Examination Program (CLEP) provides a way for students to transfer their knowledge of material taught in the first two years of college into academic credits by taking standardized CLEP exams in subjects such as math, history, and English. Satisfactory scores on each CLEP testcan provide the student between 3 and 12 credits.