CLEP Testing

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Registration and payment procedure

How can I prepare for a CLEP exam?

What to bring on exam day

CLEP, the College-Level Examination Program, is a series of nationwide tests administered by the College Board. It is a recognized method to demonstrate your knowledge of a particular subject.

If your school accepts your CLEP scores, you receive the same number of credits for the equivalent class as if you had attended the entire semester of the class.                                                                                        

Currently available subjects are:

introductory college level Accounting

Algebra

Algebra-Trigonometry

American Government

American Literature

Analyzing and Interpreting Literature

Biology

Business Law

Calculus

Chemistry

Educational Psychology

English Composition

English Literature Freshman College Composition

Financial Accounting

History of the United States

Human Growth and Development

Humanities

Information Systems and Computer Registrations

Macroeconomics

Management

Marketing

Mathematics

Microeconomics

Natural Sciences

Pre-Calculus

Psychology

Social Sciences and History

Sociology

Trigonometry

Western Civilization.

Foreign language exams are available for French German and Spanish.

For further information, contact your institution or call CLEP at 1-800-257-9558. back to top

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1. The test is multiple choice.

2. Some tests also require essays.

Optional essays:

Such essays are available at the discretion of your school. Check with the institution(/s) from which you wish to receive credit. Optional essays are available for

Freshman English Composition

English Literature

Analyzing and Interpreting Literature

American Literature.

Language tests consist of listening and reading sections. There are no writing sections.  back to top

The number of questions varies according to the subject test. Sample test guides indicate the number of questions for a particular subject. back to top

No. Only correct answers are counted. You are not penalized for incorrect answers.back to top

Many schools accept CLEP scores. Some do not. Ask your receiving college. If you plan to transfer schools, ask the school conferring your terminal degree whether it accepts CLEP for 1) your program, 2) the specific course for which you want credit.

NOTE:

Schools usually only award CLEP credit if you are an enrolled student at that school. Ask the school about your particular certificate or degree program. back to top

Montgomery College administrative fee $25

CLEP test fee $70.

(CLEP optional essays fee $10)  back to top

1. No cost: For one recipient school you select when you take the exam.

2. $20: For each additional school, or a school you designate after leaving the exam.

3. Slightly more $$$: You request that your score is sent to a school after about 4 years. back to top

CLEP is a computerized test administered at a particular site. It is not a paper and pencil test – except if you are writing an optional essay. back to top

You must wait six months before retaking a CLEP test., according to CLEP.  back to top

Contact your chosen test site far in advance of your test to request special arrangements. back to top

GETTING CLEP CREDIT AS AN MC STUDENT   back to Contents                                            

Montgomery College students may earn a total of 30 credits for prior learning. These can be earned in the following ways:

1. national exams (CLEP, Dantes, AP)

2. departmental credit-by-exams

3. prior learning assessment.

Each Montgomery College campus has a transcript evaluator who processes the transfer of credit. Each transcript evaluator is in the Admissions, Records, and Registration Office for that campus. Transcript evaluators and campus counselors can provide advice and information on credit transfer, credit limits, and methods of obtaining advanced standing. back to top

Currently, English Composition with Essay is required to earn credit for EN 101.  back to top

Each department within an institution sets its own policy: whether CLEP is applicable,

for which course(s) CLEP credit may be accepted, and how much credit is granted. back to top      

Yes. Send results to Montgomery College by using the appropriate recipient code.  back to top

Germantown: 1113

Rockville: 5440

Takoma Park: 5414.

Although any campus can award credit, we recommend that you work with the campus you consider your "home" campus. back to top

No. Montgomery College does not accept all CLEP tests. Montgomery College faculty identify CLEP exams that evaluate skills and knowledge comparable to those in Montgomery College classes.

Accounting: Montgomery College accepts the Financial Accounting CLEP exam as the equivalent of the AC 201 course.  This exam is effective as of January 2007.  Montgomery College does not accept the exam called Accounting as the equivalent of AC 201.

Science exams: The science departments do not accept CLEP science exams because they do not satisfactorily measure the college’s required lab skills and knowledge.   back to top

Check CLEP Tests-Montgomery College equivalencies. This list is subject to updating.  back to top

Every score report printed at the end of an exam contains ACE-recommended minimum scores. The college usually accepts these minimum scores. Minimum scores change depending on the test date and version. 

The amount of credit awarded per exam is limited by the maximum number of credits awarded for the comparable Montgomery College course(s).  back to top

SIGNING UP FOR A TEST AT THE MC CLEP TEST CENTER        back to Contents

Tests are usually administered up to twice a month. Days and times vary. Montgomery College test dates are available through December 2008.

Call our recorded message for dates: 240-567-1808. back to top

As a testing center, Montgomery College offers ALL CLEP tests on all dates.

Check the CLEP registration form for a complete list of tests or the CLEP website  (www.collegeboard.com/clep/) back to top

1. The test fee for each CLEP test is now $70.  Test fees are payable to CLEP.

2. There is an additional Montgomery College nonrefundable administrative fee of $25 for each CLEP test.

3.ONLY IF you are taking the Optional Essay: CLEP adds a $10 fee for optional essays in Freshman English Composition, English Literature, Analyzing and Interpreting Literature, American Literature.

YOUR TOTAL COST:

Your total cost at Montgomery College is $95. Add $10 for optional essay. ($70+$25 or $70+$25+$10).

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Yes. You designate the Recipient Code and school name on the CLEP registration. For more information, call CLEP at 609-771-7865.  back to top

Montgomery College test site: one CLEP test per test session.

Other testing centers: maybe more than one test per session. back to top

Tests take 90 minutes. For an optional handwritten essay, add 90 minutes  back to top

Add an additional hour to your test time.

Plan on:

2 1/2 hours for a test without optional essay.

4 hours for a test with optional essay.

Why that long?

Since tests are computerized, CLEP requires that you become familiar with their computer software before you take the test. Also leave time for registration.  back to top

At Montgomery College, CLEP tests are ONLY administered at the college’s Gaithersburg Business Training Center, 12 S. Summit Avenue (4^th floor), Gaithersburg 20877.

NOTE: CLEP tests are NOT administered at the Rockville campus, the Germantown campus or the Takoma Park campus. back to top

The Montgomery College CLEP testing site is at the MC Gaithersburg Business Training Center, 12 S. Summit Avenue in Old Towne Gaithersburg, two blocks from Route 355. http://www.montgomerycollege.edu/maps/gaithersburgwdce.html .

Car: Use either I-270 North at the Shady Grove exit or I-270 North at the Montgomery Village exit. There is free of charge indoor parking in back of the building

Metro: Red line to Rockville. Then, take a bus.

Bus: From the Rockville Metro (red line), the Ride-On Bus #55 stops at the corner of Summit and Route 355. Walk a couple of blocks on South Summit to the last building on the left side of the street just before the railroad tracks. Ride-On phone number is 301-217-7433 for schedule.  back to top

Registrations are processed on a first-come, first-served basis.  There is NO Online Registration.

NOTE: Select two dates. Space is extremely limited. You will be assigned backup dates, if your first choice is not available. Depending upon demand, additional tests might be scheduled.

Complete and return TWO forms:

Form 1: Complete a CLEP registration paper form. 

Payment of $70 CLEP test fee: With the form you return, include payment information for $70 CLEP test fee.

Paying by credit card? a) check appropriate box on #16 of the CLEP form, b) pay by credit card

on the day of the test, c) on the day of the test, bring your credit card to the exam.

Paying by check or money order? Include your $70 payment now with your CLEP form.

Date your payment within three months of the test date.  If you do not take the test, you will not be charged for the test.

Form 2: Complete a Montgomery College paper form.

Payment of $25 Montgomery College registration fee: With the form, attach payment made out to Montgomery College

a) $25 registration fee: check, money order, or credit card information

b) $10 – only add if you are taking an optional essay  back to top

Space is limited. Reservations are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis.  back to top

The Montgomery College CLEP Registration form (to process your administrative fee) and the College Board CLEP registration form are available from the college, along with our testing schedule, and Assessment of Prior Learning Guide and CLEP FAQs. clep@montgomerycollege.edu. The Extended Learning Services Office has paper forms and information for those without e-mail. Call: 240-567-7872.

CLEP, Extended Learning Services,

20200 Observation Drive, Germantown, MD 20876

hand deliver your form with check or money order/credit card info to:

Room HS 237, 20200 Observation Drive, Germantown

OR

If using your credit card to pay the MC fee at the time you register and the CLEP fee at the time of the test, you may fax both  forms to 240-567-7871.

You will receive an email confirmation of your testing date.

Before returning your CLEP registration, check that you have included

Registrations not fully completed are returned or held until you complete the required information. Any portions that must still be completed are highlighted.

You are not registered for a particular date until your registration is complete. Unless there are special circumstances, we will not hold a place for you until your registration is complete.  back to top

            How can I prepare for a CLEP exam?

            What to bring on exam day?

You may purchase a study guide book with sample questions and resource referrals from CLEP. It contains samples of every CLEP test. Call 609-771-7865 to order, or check the CLEP website.

Reference/reserve copies of the CLEP Official Study Guide, with sample questions for all exams and study resources are at the three Montgomery College campus libraries. Check the Reserve Desk. You may want to check with the public library branches, too.

Copies of the CLEP Official Study Guide, including sample questions for all CLEP exams and study resources are available for purchase at many bookstores. There is one official CLEP guide (College Board), as well as guides from other publishers. We do not make any representation as to the validity of these other guides.

You may purchase an online study guide for your particular subject test through www.collegeboard.com/clep. The CLEP site has the prices and options. back to top

        What to bring on exam day?

On the day of the exam bring with you

*two forms of ID, and one of these must be a picture ID

*pen(s)

*payment of $70, if you are paying by credit card. back to stop

Under normal conditions, you should be able to receive your scores the day of your exam – unless you are taking a required or optional essay. Required essays are graded separately by CLEP, and the combined score of the multiple choice and required essay will be available in one-three weeks. Optional essays are graded locally by the school you have designated, and may/may not take longer to grade than required essays.  back to top

Whether you are taking a required or optional essay, your score is not complete until the computerized short answer score is combined with the essay score. You have passed the test only when you have passed BOTH the short answer and the essay portions of the test.  back to top

        Is there a charge to send my scores to a school?

            MC acceptable tests and minimum scores

Check for CLEP tests acceptable to MC and for information about minimum tests scores.

The most comprehensive resource is the CLEP website. You can find, at a minimum, registration forms, information on the tests, study information, test site info and recipient codes. You can also call CLEP directly at 1-800-257-9558. If you have particular questions related to your personal situation, email us at clep@montgomerycollege.edu or contact the counseling office at Germantown, Rockville, Takoma Park/Silver Spring. back to top

You can e-mail your questions to clep@montgomerycollege.edu or call our recorded message at 240-567-1808. back to top

        Nearby schools that also offer the CLEP test

While the complete list is available on CLEP’s website at www.collegeboard.com/clep, the following may be helpful.

Frederick Community College, Frederick – 301-846-2522

Howard Community College, Columbia – 410-772-4853

Potomac College, DC – 202-686-0876  back to top

University of Maryland (College Park) - 301-314-7688.

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For further information, contact Office of Academic Extended Learning Services at clep@montgomerycollege.edu or 240-567-7872..