Did you know most part-time college students are over 27 years old? The average age for online degrees is 36 for bachelor’s and 40 for master’s. This shows more adults are looking for flexible ways to get their degrees.
You don’t have to be a traditional student to get your degree fast. There are many ways to skip introductory courses and speed up your studies. This article will cover options like the College Level Examination Program (CLEP) and prior learning assessments. These can save you time and money.
Key Takeaways
- Earn college credits through proficiency tests like CLEP, DSST, and Excelsior College Examinations
- Leverage your work and life experience to earn credits through prior learning assessment (PLA)
- Take advantage of accelerated online degree programs to complete courses in as little as 6-8 weeks
- Thousands of colleges and universities accept CLEP and DSST exams, allowing you to earn credits quickly
- Prepare for credit by examination tests using free and paid resources to maximize your success
Understanding Credit by Examination
Credit by examination lets you earn college credits with just one test, not a whole semester. This way, you save time and money. It’s a new way to get through college faster.
What is Credit by Examination?
With credit by examination, you show what you know by passing a test. If you pass, you get college credits without taking the full course. This can make getting your degree cheaper and quicker.
Benefits of Testing Out of College Courses
- Accelerate your degree completion by earning credits more efficiently
- Reduce the overall cost of your education by bypassing tuition and fees for certain courses
- Gain more flexibility in your course schedule, allowing you to focus on the subjects that align with your academic and career goals
Using credit by examination, you can skip easy courses and jump into harder ones. This makes your education cheaper and faster. It helps you reach your goals sooner.
The College Level Examination Program (CLEP) is a top choice for credit by examination. It offers tests in 34 subjects. With CLEP, you could get up to a year’s worth of college credits. This gives you a big head start on your degree.
| Key Credit by Examination Statistics | Value |
|---|---|
| CLEP Exams Offered | 34 |
| Average College Credits Required for a Bachelor’s Degree | 120 |
| Average College Credits Earned per Course | 3 |
| Average Weekly Commitment for Traditional College Courses | 45 hours |
| CLEP Exam Cost | $93 |
| Colleges Accepting CLEP Exams | 2,900 |
Learning about credit by examination can help you finish college faster and cheaper. Look into the different tests and plan how to use this chance to speed up your studies.
CLEP Exams: A Popular Option
The College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) is a well-known way to earn college credits. It offers exams in introductory college subjects. Over 2,900 colleges and universities accept these credits. Passing CLEP exams lets you skip general education courses and focus on your major.
In the 2021-2022 year, about 122,000 CLEP exams were given. The cost is $90 per test, but it will be $93 starting July 1, 2023. Some states like Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia help by offering funding or even making it free for low-income students.
The College Board has 34 CLEP exams in five areas: History, Composition, Science, Business, and World Languages. Colleges give credits ranging from three to 12 for passing a test. This can save students time and money on their degree.
“CLEP exams can save test examinees hundreds or even thousands of dollars towards a degree, as well as 8-12 weeks compared to traditional classroom or online courses.”
To get credits through CLEP, you need to score at least 50. This is a pass grade. CLEP credits don’t affect your GPA because they’re based on pass or fail.
CLEP exams cover many subjects and can save students a lot of money and time. It’s a great choice for those wanting to speed up their college path.
Earning College Credits Through Proficiency Tests
Proficiency tests let you speed up your college journey and get credits outside the classroom. You can choose from tests like CLEP, DSST, UExcel, and AP exams. These tests cover many subjects, from arts and sciences to business.
Types of Proficiency Tests
- College-Level Examination Program (CLEP): Offering 34 different exams, each worth 3 to 12 college credits.
- DSST (DANTES Subject Standardized Tests): Providing over 30 exams that can earn you college credits.
- UExcel (Excelsior College Examinations): Enabling you to demonstrate your knowledge and earn credits in various subjects.
- Advanced Placement (AP) Exams: Allowing you to earn college credits by passing challenging high school-level courses and exams.
Transferring Credits to Your Institution
After passing a proficiency exam, you can transfer the credits to your college or university. This is possible if they accept the testing program. This can save you time and money as you work towards your degree. In fact, students who earn credits through these tests are 17% more likely to finish their degrees.
| Proficiency Test | Number of Exams Offered | Credits Earned per Exam | Average Cost per Exam |
|---|---|---|---|
| CLEP | 34 | 3-12 | $72 |
| DSST | Over 30 | 3-6 | $100-$150 |
| UExcel | Varies | 3-6 | $95-$150 |
| AP | 38 | 3-12 | $95 |
Proficiency tests can help you earn up to a full year’s worth of college credits. This can save you time and money on your way to a degree. The CLEP program, for example, offers 34 exams that are worth 3 to 12 college credits each.
Prior Learning Assessment (PLA)
Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) lets you use your work and life experiences for college credits. If you’ve learned a lot from your job or personal life, you might get college credits. This can help you finish your degree faster.
Leveraging Work and Life Experience
PLA helps you show what you know and get credits for it. You can send in a portfolio with your work history, volunteer work, or other life experiences. This might get you college credits. It can make getting your degree quicker and cheaper.
- Over 40 years, CLEP has been one of the most trusted sources of prior learning credits in academia.
- Currently, CLEP offers 33 examinations across various subject areas.
- DSST exams provide 3 credits per exam in business, humanities, math, physical science, social sciences, and technology.
- Excelsior College offers 3 to 8 credits per exam at fees ranging from $95 to $445.
- LearningCounts.org offers courses that earn 3 credits per course at a cost of $149 for independent study and $895 for instructor-led courses.
- WGU’s Competency-Based Education program allows students to earn a college degree through skills assessments at varying tuition rates per degree program.
Using what you already know can save you time and money in school. This helps you reach your goals faster and more efficiently.
“More than 35 million workers in the U.S have completed some college but no degree.”
The Credit for Prior Learning (CPL)/Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) program helps students finish school quicker and save money. Schools like FGCU have clear rules and ways to check and give credits for what you’ve learned outside the classroom. This is great for those with a lot of real-world experience.
Comparing AP and CLEP Exams
AP and CLEP exams help students get college credits early. They let students skip certain courses and speed up their studies. But, there are some key differences between these two options that students should know.
AP exams are for high school students who have done advanced work. CLEP is for all ages, even working people. AP exams are accepted worldwide, while CLEP is mainly used in the U.S.
| Feature | AP Exams | CLEP Exams |
|---|---|---|
| Number of Exams Offered | 38 | 34 |
| Acceptance | Over 500 colleges in more than 75 countries | 2,900 colleges and universities |
| Testing Windows | Annually in May | Year-round |
| Retake Policy | No retakes allowed | Retake possible after 3 months |
| Test Administration Locations | 1,800 locations | Over 2,000 test centers |
| Cost per Exam | $98 in the U.S. and its territories, $128 in other international locations, $146 for AP Capstone exams | $93 |
AP exams are known worldwide, but CLEP has more subjects to test out of. CLEP also tests all year and lets students retake exams more easily. This makes CLEP a good choice for some students.
Choosing between AP and CLEP depends on what a student wants to achieve and their current academic situation. Knowing the differences between these programs helps students pick the best way to get ahead and save money on college.
test out of college courses for degree
Eligibility Criteria for Credit by Examination
To test out of college courses, you must meet some requirements. You need a minimum GPA and to score well on placement tests. Also, you must be a student at an accredited school that accepts these exams. Each school has its own rules, so check your college’s policies.
On average, a college course costs more than a laptop or iPad. By passing exams, students can finish college quicker. This means they complete less coursework over semesters. These exams help students show they’re ready for college in subjects like math or languages.
Exams like CLEP, IB, AP, and DSST are accepted for credit by many colleges. The article tells students to look for colleges that accept these exams. It also helps find schools with test maps.
Talking to academic advisors is key to understanding how exams match up with college courses. Online courses like OCW Courseware and Khan Academy are great for exam prep.
Registering for exams at test centers is important. The article gives tips on studying from textbooks or online resources like MIT’s OpenCourseWare. It also talks about how each exam has its own score range and difficulty level.
Preparing for Credit by Examination
If you want to pass college courses through credit by examination, getting ready is crucial. You can choose between taking test prep courses or studying on your own with different resources.
Test Preparation Courses
Test prep courses offer structured help and practice for the credit by examination exams, like the CLEP. These courses have many benefits:
- They give you focused study materials to pass the exam quickly, usually in 5-10 weeks instead of 16 weeks for a regular course.
- You get personal support from live teachers in an online class that meets at the same time for everyone.
- They are flexible, with just one lesson a week, unlike the 2-3 lessons in regular college courses.
- Passing the exam earns you 3 college credits, just like finishing a regular course.
Resources for Self-Study
If you like to study by yourself, there are many resources to help you prepare for credit by examination exams:
- Study guides and practice tests to get used to the exam’s format and topics.
- Online video lessons and webinars that cover the subject thoroughly.
- Online communities and forums for CLEP prep, where you can get tips, advice, and support from others.
- Free CLEP prep courses, like those from the Modern States program, which offer structured learning for each subject area.
No matter your method, the main thing is to prepare well and feel confident in the subject. This will help you pass the credit by examination exam the first time.
Maximizing Credit by Examination
Earning college credits through credit by examination can change your academic path. It lets you save time and money while moving faster towards graduation. By adding these tests to your degree plan, you can speed up your studies.
One big plus is the chance to graduate in three years instead of four. Achieve Test Prep shows a 93% pass rate on these tests. Plus, each test can be under $100, which means you could save up to $18,000 on courses.
To make the most of credit by examination, find the introductory-level courses you can skip. Over 2,900 colleges accept these credits for quicker graduation. This lets you craft a plan to earn credits through exams.
There are different types of tests, like the College Level Examination Program (CLEP) and essay exams. Plan well and use these chances to speed up your degree and reach your goals faster.
“Taking credit by exam tests can save students up to $18,000 on their college education.”
To use credit by examination, prepare well and research your school’s rules. Look into test prep courses or study on your own to pass these exams. This way, you’ll make the most of credit by examination and reach your degree goals faster.
Balancing Traditional and Accelerated Learning
Exploring accelerated learning through credit by examination is exciting. But, it’s key to keep a balanced approach in your education. This way, you can speed up your degree without missing out on the benefits of traditional college courses.
Traditional college courses last about 15-16 weeks. They offer deep dives into subjects and time for critical thinking and problem-solving. Accelerated classes, on the other hand, are shorter, lasting 5-10 weeks. They let you learn faster and be more flexible. By mixing traditional and accelerated learning, you can find what works best for you and your goals.
Full-time students usually take 4-5 years to finish a bachelor’s degree. But, with accelerated programs, you might get your degree in 2-3 years. This is thanks to credit by examination, online courses, and other fast-track options. Yet, make sure you don’t lose out on the richness of your education.
“Accelerated programs require a concise curriculum and quick concept turnover, which can be challenging but rewarding,” shares Grace Lee, a nursing student who opted for an accelerated degree program.
Accelerated learning is great for those with prior work, military, or volunteer experience. It’s also good for students with family duties or work commitments. These options help you use your time wisely and finish your degree faster.
The right balance between traditional and accelerated learning depends on what you prefer and your goals. Think about the pros and cons of each method. This way, you can make a plan that meets your needs and gives you a full education.
Conclusion
Exploring ways to test out of college courses can change your education path. You can earn credits, save time and money, and finish your degree faster. You can use CLEP exams, your prior learning, or a mix of traditional and fast-track learning.
CLEP exams are a cost-effective way to show your knowledge in many subjects. Prior learning assessments offer flexibility. These options let you prove your skills and knowledge.
Understanding the benefits and who can take these exams helps you plan better. This way, you can finish your degree faster and save money.
As you look into testing out of college courses, remember the end goal is important. Putting together the main points helps you see why credit by examination is key. With the right prep and tools, you can make the most of these chances. This leads to a more efficient and fulfilling academic journey.
FAQ
What is credit by examination?
Credit by examination lets you earn college credits by passing a single test. This is instead of taking a full semester course. It saves you time and money compared to traditional college.
What are the benefits of testing out of college courses?
Testing out of college courses has big benefits. It helps you finish your degree faster, cuts down on education costs, and gives you more flexibility in your schedule.
What is the College-Level Examination Program (CLEP)?
CLEP is a well-known option for credit by examination. It offers exams in introductory college subjects. Over 2,900 colleges and universities accept these credits. Passing CLEP exams lets you skip general education courses and focus on your major.
What other proficiency tests can help me earn college credits?
Besides CLEP, there are other tests like DSST, UExcel, and AP exams. These tests cover subjects from humanities to sciences to business. They help you earn college credits.
What is Prior Learning Assessment (PLA)?
Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) is a way to get college credits for what you already know and have experienced. If your work, volunteer, or life experiences match your degree program, you might get credits for them.
What are the key differences between AP and CLEP exams?
AP exams are usually for high school students who take advanced courses. CLEP is for learners of all ages, even working professionals. AP exams are accepted worldwide, while CLEP is mainly used in the U.S.
What are the eligibility criteria for testing out of college courses?
To test out of college courses, you must meet some requirements. You need a minimum GPA, certain scores on placement tests, and be a student at an accredited institution that accepts these exams.
How can I prepare for credit by examination exams?
Getting ready for credit by examination exams, like CLEP, can be done through test prep courses or self-study. Test prep courses offer structured help and practice. Self-study includes study guides, online tests, and video tutorials.
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