CLEP FAQs

Harper College offers all CLEP tests (those with essays need prior arrangement made in the Testing Office). Students that wish to use CLEP for credit at Harper must reference attached list. If you are a Harper student planning on transferring to a four-year college, contact the school(s) you are interested in to determine policies on awarding transfer credit for CLEP examinations. Do not assume your credit will automatically transfer. If you are unsure about your background in a subject, see The Official Handbook for the CLEP Examinations for an overview of the material covered in each test. Study guides can also be found online at www.collegeboard.org/clep

If the test results are needed to decide whether or not one should register for a course, note the following.  Test results are given upon completion of the test.  However, official score reports are mailed from four to six weeks after you take the test.  It will take about two weeks after scores are received for Harper to evaluate your score and send you a credit report.  You will be notified as to whether or not you receive credit. 

Yes. See www.collegeboard.org/clep for “open” test centers.

CLEP testing is offered every Wednesday by appointment only (limited seating). Check-in time is between 8:30am and 9:00am. Each test is 90 minutes and a maximum of two tests per session is allowed. An application must be submitted prior to testing.

The amount of credit Harper College grants for each CLEP test is listed on the attached page and on the web site.

At Harper College, no more than one-half the requirements for certificate programs may be earned through credit by examination. However, 42 credit hours is the maximum that can be applied toward graduation.

If you score high enough to earn credit, you will receive credit with no grade. CLEP credit is not figured into your GPA. If you do not score high enough, nothing is put on your college transcript indicating failure.

The CLEP test is a computer-based 90 minute exam.

CLEP tests are designed for people who feel they are already knowledgeable in a specific subject. If you need credit in a subject in order to graduate, but have no previous experience or knowledge of the subject, it is generally not recommended you try to teach yourself enough "from scratch" to pass a CLEP test. You are better off taking the course you need.

If you have experience or knowledge in a subject area and would like to "brush up" a bit before taking a CLEP test, you should first consult The Official Handbook for the CLEP Examinations as well as the study guides on-line. This book gives you an outline of the content of each CLEP test and suggestions for texts and review materials. The Harper College bookstore may carry this publication. Various commercial publishers also sell CLEP study guides. We cannot recommend which of these are best. Before spending your money, check your local library.

Only the tests that allow calculator use will have a drop-down calculator built into the testing program. Students may NOT bring their own calculator into the testing room.

If you've read all the attached information carefully, but still have a question, call the Harper College Assessment and Testing Center, Building A, Room A148, 847.925.6541. We'll be happy to try to help you. If your question concerns the policies of another school or institution, you should contact them directly.