Credit by Exam

CLEP exams, offered by the College Board, allow students to test out of introductory college courses. There are no prerequisites — if you know the material, you can take the exam.

When signing up, be sure to have your scores sent to Clark State using code 1127. In addition to the CLEP exam fee, there is a $25 test administration fee.

Clark State students can take CLEP exams right on the main campus at Leffel Lane. Most exams take about 90–120 minutes, depending on the subject. You’ll receive your score immediately after finishing the exam (with the exception of College Composition).

• Course exam options
• Study materials are available directly from College Board

If you’ve gained knowledge or skills through work experience, previous training, military service or noncredit coursework, you may be able to earn college credit by taking a proficiency exam instead of completing the full course.

Proficiency exams are developed by Clark State faculty and align with the same learning goals and standards as the course itself. In other words, they measure the same knowledge and skills students would gain in the classroom.

Depending on the course, the exam may include a written test, a hands-on skills assessment or a combination of both to ensure all learning outcomes are met. If you earn a passing grade, you’ll receive credit for the equivalent Clark State course.

Before testing, you can review each course syllabi from the programs page and speak with departmental faculty to better understand the content and expectations.

Proficiency exam costs vary depending on the type of exam. Written-only exams are $25 per credit hour, with a maximum charge of $75. Skills-only exams cost $50. If the exam includes both a written and skills portion, the written part is $25 per credit hour (up to $75), plus an additional $50 for the skills portion.