CLEP Opportunities for Veterans

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The College Level Examination Program (CLEP) offers students increased flexibility in managing the complex demands of jobs, families, and college-level course work. The program allows veteran students to demonstrate their mastery of college-level material in introductory subjects and to receive college credit by earning qualifying scores on any of more than 34 exams.

Quick facts about using CLEP tests:

  • Save You Money - An average college course can cost you over $100 per credit. Through the Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES), Credit-By-Exam tests are free to servicemembers. Veterans can use their GI Bill to be reimbursed for most testing fees. (Note: Civilian students pay more than $80 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.
  • 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.
  • Are Widely Accepted - CLEP is accepted by most 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.

Nearly 3,000 colleges grant credit based on CLEP scores. CLEP exams range in subject from English composition to U.S. history, biology, and Spanish, among others. When students complete a 90-minute computer-based exam, they receive an instant score report, allowing them to make quicker course-enrollment decisions.

For more information see our GI Bill National Testing Programs page.

Keep Up With Your Education Benefits 

Whether you need a guide on how to use your GI Bill, want to take advantage of tuition assistance and scholarships, or get the lowdown on education benefits available for your family, Military.com can help. Subscribe to Military.com to have education tips and benefits updates delivered directly to your inbox.

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