Use the CLEP Program to Reach Your Goals

Although you have surely heard of CLEP tests, you may not know that these credit-by-exam tests are widely accepted by colleges and universities. In addition, by passing these examinations you can earn one-third or more of the credits you need for a college degree.

Quick Facts About Using Credit-By-Exams:

• Save You Money - An average college course can cost you over $100 per credit. Through DANTES, Credit-By-Exam tests are free. (Note: Civilian students pay more than $40 per exam).
• Save You Time - The average college course takes from three to six hours a week spread out over three or more months. Depending on your depth of knowledge, you could spend less than a month preparing for each test.
• Help You Skip Ahead - Why spend time and money on boring freshman level courses when you can jump up to the more interesting advanced courses.
• Let You Use Study Groups - Find a group of people at your unit with like goals and study together during lunch breaks. These are commonly referred to as "Brown Bag Universities."
• Offer You Flexibility - You can set your own deadlines and choose your own study materials: videos, college textbooks, or study guides.
• Don't Require College Enrollment - Unlike college courses, you don't have to be enrolled in college to take these exams.

The most popular of the Credit-By-Exams is the CLEP. In recent years the paper based CLEP exams were converted to an electronic computer based format called eCBT. Currently there are 14 paper based exams and 35 eCBT tests available. In addition to offering more tests eCBT offers immediate scoring. These exams can be taken at local "On-Campus" sites through participating colleges and universities, or at a limited number of "On-Base" sites offered through participating on-base colleges and universities.

If you want to take an eCBT at an On-Campus national test center be aware that the following applies:

• You must pay the $15 to $25 registration fee charged by the college to schedule a time for testing. DANTES does not reimburse this fee.
• DANTES pays the $50 test fee for eligible military and civilian examinees. Examinees must present a valid military or federal or state-issued ID card at the time of testing.

However if you are planning on taking an eCBT at an On-Base national test center you will not be required to pay the $25 registration fee. DANTES pays for the administration and test fees for military and eligible civilian examinees.

Tip: Be absolutely sure you are ready before you take the exam because you have to wait 180 days to retest on a CLEP examination with the same test title.

The eCBT Program Continues to Grow

New eCBT centers recently opened at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba; Ft. Stewart, Ga.; Hickam Air Force Base: Naval Submarine Base; Pearl Harbor; and Marine Corps Base, Kaneohe Bay.

To date, 16 Air Force installations, 11 Navy bases, four Army installations, two Marine Corps bases, and one Air National Guard base offer on-base CLEP eCBT testing.

Next Step

If you haven't started taking your CLEP exams yet, then contact your education service or Navy College office to find out you can get started. If you have already taken your CLEP exams, then the next step is to visit Military.com's "School Finder", which will help you get information from fully accredited "military friendly" colleges and universities thatare VA-approved and experienced with the CLEP and other credit-by exam tests.