FIVE OVERLAPPING CLEP EXAMS
There are five CLEP exams with overlapping topics that can get a student 15 college credits fairly efficiently. The “easy” ranking of all five makes them a tempting endeavor. If you have a student in the 11th or 12th grade who has a need or desire to rack up 15 college credits and 5 high school credits, consider these five exams. A diligent 11th or 12th grader without major commitments could complete all five in one school year plus one summer. These exams are great for younger high schoolers as well. My students began this exam set in the tenth grade. Read CLEP Exam Difficulty Ranking.
STUDENTS WHO COULD BENEFIT
JUNIOR OR SENIOR WHO IS NOT DUAL ENROLLED
A college-bound student who missed the dual enrollment deadline at the community college or who does not want campus courses is the perfect candidate for racking up college credits by exam.
JUNIOR OR SENIOR WITH LIMITED COURSE OPTIONS
Another good candidate is a student who has maxed out of high school courses and needs something productive to do before starting college. Homeschoolers seem to get their courses done early and are left wondering what to do in the 11th and 12th grades. Furthermore, it’s difficult to find affordable, quality, college prep courses. CLEP credits give students a low-cost, worthy mission plus they strengthen the high school transcript. Another bonus is that students can flex their study hours around employment.
NEW TO HOMESCHOOL JUNIOR OR SENIOR
With the social and health care concerns caused by Covid, it seems many students are exiting school, including 11th and 12th graders. That leaves parents with the emergent task of figuring out homeschool curricula. It can be a nightmare sorting through overwhelming options and matching the perfect one to the student. Focusing on specific CLEP exams simplifies the research and guessing. I have written posts on how I approached each CLEP exam so you can do it yourself. If you are new to homeschooling read the following posts to find out how CLEP credits can be used in high school and beyond. Read CLEP Credits on the High School Transcript, CLEP Quick Start, and Homeschooling the Senior Year.
10TH GRADER WHO WANTS EARLY COLLEGE CREDIT OR EARLY GRADUATION
These exams can be spread over several years too. This is good for younger students and those who are new to CLEP exams. The credits can be used to rack up high school credits rapidly too for an early graduation. Each 3 credit exam is worth 1 high school credit or 1 year. While homeschools in NC can graduate students with as many credits as they see fit, the minimum number of credits for graduation in the public schools is 22 credits.
THE FIVE EXAMS
- Introductory Psychology
- Introduction to Educational Psychology
- Introductory Sociology
- Principles of Marketing
- Principles of Management
THE CORNERSTONE EXAM: INTRODUCTORY PSYCHOLOGY
The recommended first exam is the Introductory to Psychology exam. This exam has the most critical information that carries over to the others. Depending on student age and CLEP testing experience, this exam can be taken in one or two high school semesters. I had my students prepare for this exam in two high school semesters (1 school year) in the tenth grade. Older students with study experience could tackle it in one semester as it would be taught in college. Read my post on how we tackled this CLEP exam: Introductory Psychology CLEP.
EXAM # 2: INTRODUCTION TO EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY
This exam is the no-brainer follow-up to the Introductory Psychology exam. There is so much overlap between the two exams, that my students were able to cram in the extra facts and pass this exam two weeks after the Psychology exam. Read how we prepared for the Introduction to Educational Psychology CLEP.
EXAM #3: INTRODUCTORY SOCIOLOGY
Sociology is highly valued by institutes of higher learning in my neck of the woods. Sociology credits fulfill the social science general education requirements. Our big state school accepts the Sociology CLEP credits. This exam can also be the first exam of the package. I have had students with no CLEP experience pass this exam in one semester in the tenth grade. Read how we tackled the Introductory Sociology CLEP.
EXAM #4: PRINCIPLES OF MARKETING
This exam along with Principles of Marketing are rated as the easiest of all CLEP exams. Depending on age and testing experience, this exam can be taken after 2-6 weeks of preparation. Read how we prepared for the Principles of Marketing CLEP.
EXAM #5: PRINCIPLES OF MANAGEMENT
Like the Principles of Marketing CLEP, this exam can be taken after 2-6 weeks of preparation. Read how we prepared for the Principles of Management CLEP.
A RECOMMENDED ONE-YEAR STUDY SCHEDULE FOR THE 11TH OR 12TH GRADER
Introductory Psychology – fall semester/take exam in December
Introduction to Educational Psychology – study in December/take exam in January
Introductory Sociology – spring semester/take exam in May
Principles of Marketing – study in May/take exam in June
Principles of Management – study in July/take exam in August
A RECOMMENDED TWO-YEAR SCHEDULE FOR THE 10TH OR 11TH GRADER
Introductory Psychology – fall and spring semesters of 10th or 11th grade
Introduction to Educational Psychology – study after passing Psychology CLEP in early summer
Introductory Sociology – fall semester of 11th or 12 grade
Principles of Marketing – spring semester 11th or 12th grade
Principles of Management – spring semester 11th or 12th grade
CONCLUDING REMARKS
The ideas in this post are not for every student. Some students may be able to complete all 15 credits in a year. Some may complete them over several years. And some may complete less credits or none. The purpose of this post is to inform homeschool families about the options that CLEP exams can provide. I love sharing our experiences with CLEP exams because they have given my kids an excellent boost for college.
My experience with CLEPs. I have coached my kids and their friends through 16 different CLEP exams over a period of 9 years. Collectively, they have passed 39 CLEP exams and earned over 159 college credits. I’m still coaching my younger son through his CLEP journey. My high school graduates have received full-ride merit scholarships.