By Kayla Garner, Staff Reporter
College Level Examination Program (CLEP) exams are available to all students that want to test out of basic course credits and have not already enrolled in or taken the course they want to test for.
The College Board offers multiple CLEP exams ranging from subjects such as foreign language, English, science, mathematics, social sciences and business.
To be eligible for course credit at Hardin-Simmons University, students will need to make a certain score on their CLEP exam. The specific score a student needs to make varies for each CLEP exam. To find specific information on which CLEP exams are accepted at Hardin-Simmons University and what score is needed in order to obtain college credit visit https://www.hsutx.edu/academics/academic-resources/testing-services-and-clep/ and look under the drop-down menu “Subject Exams and Required Scores” at the bottom of the page.
There are a few steps that students will need to complete before they can take their desired CLEP exam.
First, students will need to login to, or make a, College Board account. Then students can visit the CLEP section of College Board and find the CLEP test they wish to register for. Students can then register and pay for their testing ticket online. CLEP testing tickets typically cost $87.
Second, students will need to reserve a spot in HSU’s Testing Center. To reserve a testing room, fill out the online form at https://www.hsutx.edu/academics/academic-resources/testing-services-and-clep/registration-form-for-clep/. The testing room will need to be reserved at least 48 hours in advance. Plus, students will need to provide at least three possible dates and times they will be available to take their CLEP exam. Students will also need to pay a fee for the HSU Testing Center; $25 for English exams and $15 for all other exams. Payments for the Testing Center are paid cash only.
Third, students will need to study before their CLEP exam. The College Board website offers a few free practice questions and sells copies of the latest CLEP testing study guides. However, if you don’t want to pay for the latest study guide, HSU’s Richardson Library has copies of previous year’s CLEP testing study guides students can check out for free.
On testing day, go to the Testing Center, located in the Sandefer Memorial Building on the first floor, at your reserved time. Be sure to bring your College Board Ticket ID, a valid photo ID and the money (cash only) for the Testing Center fee. Then do your best on your CLEP exam!
Besides CLEP exams, Hardin-Simmons University also offers departmental exams for certain courses depending on you major. Contact your academic advisor to ask which of these departmental exams you are eligible to take.
There are two major differences between a CLEP exam and a departmental exam. The first is that credit received from a CLEP exam can potentially apply to any university you attend, based on your scores, while departmental exam credit only applies here at Hardin-Simmons University. However, departmental exams are also about half the cost of a CLEP exam.
If you are considering taking a CLEP or departmental exam or would like more information, contact Veronica Aguirri at veronica.aguirri@hsutx.edu or (325)-670-1863 or visit the HSU Testing Center.
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