College Level Examination Program® (CLEP®)

The College-Level Examination Program® (CLEP®) offers a variety of ninety-minute exams that enable interested individuals to earn college credit in a wide range of subject areas. This computer-based testing (CBT) program is open to all students who wish to advance to higher-level courses, test out of a core or major requirement, and/or receive elective credit. As a participant in the program, Saint Xavier is among the 1,400 CLEP testing centers.

Getting CLEP® Credit toward an SXU Degree

SXU students may earn up to twenty-seven (27) credit hours through CLEP’s testing program. The University requires a score of 50 on each exam title.*  When taking your exam, which will be administered via computer, remember to select SXU as your score recipient.

Testing results are submitted to CLEP electronically, but each student will receive a printed score report upon completing his/her exam (candidates are advised to save this copy for their records).  If you selected SXU as your designated recipient, Advising and Educational Planning Services (AEPS) will receive an official score transcript from CLEP about two weeks after you take the exam.  The AEPS will evaluate the scores, post credit as applicable, and send students a letter confirming / explaining the results of their exams. While scores are evaluated—and letters mailed—in a timely manner when possible, please allow 3-4 weeks before final confirmation is sent. Recorded credit may be viewed on CLAWS.

*Candidates seeking twelve (12) credits for a foreign language will need a slightly higher score.

Additional CLEP® Policies Applicable to SXU Students

If you are an SXU student, you cannot receive credit for a CLEP exam if you have already taken (or transferred in) its equivalent course.  Additionally, you may not use CLEP to replace a failing grade or to repeat a class you dropped and received a "W" or "W7" in. Consult the list of exams and course-number equivalencies to help you select the appropriate exams.  If you do not pass an exam, you must wait six months if you wish to re-take it, per CLEP’s policy. SXU will only allow you to re-take a specific exam once.

Additionally, SXU students (except those in cohort groups) will not be allowed to register for an exam offered on campus during the semester of their graduation.  This policy has be created to encourage candidates to take any intended CLEP exams as early as possible and to allow students sufficient time to review their options after receiving their exam results.

Registering for a CLEP® Date Offered by SXU's AEPS

SXU is an "open" CLEP testing center—i.e., anyone can take an exam on the campus. The AEPS generally administers CLEP exams each academic term, usually on an individual basis.  Information on arranging a testing session is available through Advising and Educational Planning's CLEP Web site.  Most exams are held in the office of Advising and Educational Planning Services.

The AEPS asks that you follow these procedures for scheduling an exam:

  1. Submit the registration form and a $20 non-refundable test center service fee** (cash or check payable to SXU) to the AEPS.  Reservations are not guaranteed until you submit this fee, and your slot may be assigned to another examinee if you fail to pay the service fee within one week of scheduling the reservation.
     
  2. When you arrive for the test, you will need to pay CLEP’s $65.00 examination fee (which will increase to $70.00 on July 1, 2008).  Credit card payments (Visa/MC/AmEx) are highly preferred.  (If you must pay by check/money order, please make it payable to CLEP.)

**Note: Candidates are allowed to transfer their test reservation to another available date within two weeks of your original date without submitting a new $20 service fee.  There will be a $5 "late transfer" fine if this request is made less than 24 hours before the original appointment.  Please remember the service fee will not be refunded if you cancel your exam.

On your test day, please bring two forms of ID (one picture I.D.),pens/pencils for scratch work (scratch paper provided). Calculators are built into designated exams.  Please do not bring your own calculator, study materials, notes, audible electronic devices or food/drinks.  Cell phones must be turned off during testing.

Taking an Exam at Another Institution

The CLEP® Colleges booklet and CLEP’s Web site list other open testing centers that administer CLEP exams.  Saint Xavier students who wish to take an exam at another location must contact that institution to obtain information on dates, registration process, service fees, etc.  If you take an exam at another school’s test center, remember to choose Saint Xavier as your score recipient.  The AEPS will be mailed your score and will still send you a letter explaining your exam results.  Remember that if you are an SXU student, you are always subject to the University’s CLEP policies, regardless of where you take the actual test.

Preparing for an Exam

You can access online CLEP books and practice exams through the Saint Xavier University Library.  SXU students, using their username and password, can access the information at any time from any location. Non-SXU students need to use a computer on campus. Follow the instructions to enter the site and set up an individual account.

CLEP’s Web site sells the test program’s official master study guide book, as well as individual exam study guides that may be downloaded for a small fee. 

The guide will give you a bare bones description of the exam and will list the knowledge and skills required, as well as sine sample test questions.  However, to study the specific content of the test it is strongly suggested you get a textbook in the subject area.  Some students have found the use of an encyclopedia to be helpful.

Some students have found it helpful to study from InstantCert Academy. 
(Please note there is a fee for this site.)