CLEP® (College Level Examination Program)

CLEP information listed below is provided for Enid and Tonkawa campuses; students attending the Stillwater campus (NOC/OSU Gateway) must call the OSU testing center at 405.744.5958 to schedule a CLEP test.

What is CLEP?

The College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) is a series of examinations that provides you the opportunity to earn college credit for what you know regardless of where you learned it.  CLEP is the most widely accepted credit by-examination program in the United States.  CLEP offers exams in five subject areas, covering materials taught in courses that you may generally take in your first two years of college.  Most CLEP exams are designed to correspond to one-semester courses, although some correspond to full year or two-year courses.  The American Council on Education (ACE) recommends a credit-granting score of 50 or above for all exams.  However, some colleges may require a higher score.

What are some of the benefits of taking a CLEP exam?

You gain credit without sitting in a classroom and going over material you have already mastered.  Reducing the number of general education courses that you need to take. You save money by not paying for tuition, books, or fees.  You also save time, often placing yourself further ahead in your studies toward your degree.  Can get credit for home-schooled learning.  Document knowledge gained through military experience or knowing a foreign language.  If you missed out on AP credit or knowledge learned from on-the-job training or personal development.

Who accepts CLEP?

About 2,900 colleges/universities within the United States recognize prior knowledge when documented through CLEP testing.  Check with your home institution to see what CLEP exams are accepted and what pass scores is require.  NOC guidelines may be found in the chart below. NOC is classified as an “open” test site and anyone may test here.

Where do I take a CLEP exam?

To schedule for a CLEP exam, you must register first with CLEP at http://clep.collegeboard.org/exam. Then to schedule your test date, visit our online scheduling system.  The Register Blast Links can be found on the Testing Home page.  You may also take a CLEP exam at any other CLEP offering center.

When should I take a CLEP exam?

You may take the CLEP exam whenever you wish.  There is no age requirement.

Does taking a CLEP exam affect my GPA?

No.  You get credit when you pass a CLEP exam, but no grade is recorded.  Only a P for passing.

How many times can I take the same CLEP exam?

There is no set number.  However, you have to wait exactly 3 months from the previous test date before you may retake a test.

When will I receive my CLEP score and how many credit hours can I earn?

Your score will print automatically upon completion of your exam.  You will need to check each individual exam and institution to determine what is a passing score and how many credit hours you will receive.

When will the credit be entered on my transcript?

The official transcript will be sent to the registration office at the institution you chose to receive the score. Once received from CLEP usually in approximately two weeks.  Credit will be entered on your transcript only after 12 credit hours have been completed at NOC.  Other institutions policies vary so check with the receiving institution.

How much time do I have to take the exam?

All exams take 90 minutes. However, you will need to allow about 2 hours to complete testing.

How much does a CLEP exam cost?

Exams are to be purchased online (not including the $20 administration fee paid to the college) total.  A non-refundable administration fee to NOC of $20.00 is required at the time of the test.  If checking out the CLEP Study Guide from the Testing Center, the $20.00 fee is required at that time and is non-refundable. All candidates MUST register and pay for the exam via My Account at https://clep.collegeboard.org prior to the examination date.   Payment to NOC can be paid by cash, check, money order or debit card with a pin number.  (no credit cards)

What should I bring to the test?

NOC’s Administration Fee of $20.00 for the exam.  The registration ticket printed from CLEP’s website. A valid legible Photo ID; valid driver’s license, state issue ID, tribal ID, passport, military ID, national ID, naturalization card or certificate of citizenship.

What should I expect on the day of the test?

Presenting a valid legible Photo ID will be required for testing.  Paying your $20.00 administration fee.  Providing your registration ticket for administering of the test.  Scrap paper and pencils will be provided. Calculators are built into the CLEP tests that allow calculator use.  No outside materials are allowed. All CLEP tests are computer-based and immediate unofficial score reports will be available.

For more information about CLEP, visit the official CLEP website by clicking here.