Think Outside the Campus to Speed Through Your Degree

speedy! By Melody Dornink

Learning at the Speed of Technology

In the ever-advancing age of communication and technology, the opportunities for college students have never been more available or varied. Traditional college is slowly losing momentum as more and more students are opting for online or other “out of the box” methods of completing coursework. However, it is easy to get overwhelmed in the myriad of choices, and many students simply do not know where to start.

CLEP That!

In the midst of the possibilities, a rock-solid, “no-brainer” choice exists, and is gaining popularity as a time and money saving alternative. College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) tests offer college credit to students who are willing to jump outside the “box” of traditional college thinking.

What Is It?

CLEPs are multiple-choice tests in 33 different subjects recognized by more than 2,900 colleges and universities across the nation as an acceptable way to gain college credit for knowledge gained through prior course work, independent study, internships, and on-the-job training.

Save Two Years or More

Generally speaking, much of the first two years of college consists of general requirements very similar to high school classes; with CLEP, a student is able to demonstrate knowledge in a general field (for example, U.S. history) by taking a 90-minute, multiple-choice test. If the student passes, they receive college credit for the test without having to sit through 16 weeks of classroom time, having to write papers or take multiple tests. By passing a CLEP exam, the student is credited as if they had successfully completed the entire college course.

Turn Experience into Credit

Additionally, students with no prior knowledge of a subject can take a CLEP test. There are many excellent study materials (whether online or in printed form) that exist for the sole purpose of educating and preparing a student to successfully pass a CLEP exam. CLEPs cover introductory level courses, so it is not necessary to spend countless hours stressing over the exam, or invest buckets of money in preparatory materials.

On the contrary, there are excellent resources available for a very nominal cost (under $20), and some may even be accessible through a local library! The official CLEP website, www.collegeboard.com, offers helpful information and resources, but keep in mind that it is only one of many.

Save $$$

CLEP’s price tag makes it even more attractive. As of July 1, 2010, the tests will be $77 a piece, plus a small fee payable to the testing administrator. (There are over 1,400 testing sites, and CLEP’s official website helps you locate the one nearest you.) So, for under $100, a student is able to pass a 3 to 12-credit class without ever stepping foot inside a classroom, and in just a fraction of the time.

You Heard It Here

CollegePlus! students have a unique advantage because of the program’s emphasis on CLEP testing, and it is easy to forget that many people have yet to learn the advantages of accelerated learning options. Rather than taking this excellent alternative for granted, CP! students should actively make their peers aware of “out of the box” options like CLEP exams.

you can Melody is a CollegePlus! English major and lives with her family in Minnesota. She is working on a Teaching English as a Second Language Certificate, hopes to travel overseas soon, and helps in construction and remodeling with her father.