WHICH CLEP SHOULD YOU START WITH?
After graduating two kids with 35 + CLEP credits each, I figured out a CLEP exam sequence that considers CLEP exam difficulty and coordinates with the typical high school course sequence. We chose to begin high school courses in middle school and list the courses on the high school transcript. Read 8th Grade Credits on the High School Transcript. This sequence incorporates sixteen different CLEP exams which is quite a large load. Obviously, families can tackle fewer exams or choose different CLEP exams.
THE SEQUENCE
- 7th grade
- History of the United States I (first half) (or begin in the 8th grade)
- American Literature (study works that parallel time periods covered in History of the US I) (take CLEP in 9th or 10th grade)
- 8th grade
- History of the US I (Complete the 2nd half from 7th grade or do the entire course in one year) (Take CLEP in June) (3 credits)
- American Literature (study works that parallel time periods covered in History of the US I) (take CLEP in 9th or 10th grade)
- Analyzing Literature after taking a high school level course (take CLEP in June) (3 credits)
- 9th grade
- Biology (take CLEP in summer) (6 credits)
- Writing and grammar class (take College Composition Modular CLEP in summer) (see 10th grade*)(3 credits)
- History of the US II (take CLEP in summer after 9th or fall of 10th grade) (3 credits)
- American Literature (parallel time periods in US History II) (take CLEP in summer or later)
- 10th grade
- Psychology (take CLEP in June) (3 credits)
- Educational Psychology (take CLEP a few weeks after Psychology CLEP – no course needed) (3 credits)
- American Literature (review all material from previous years and take CLEP when ready) (3 credits)
- College Composition CLEP* (take instead of the 3 credit Modular preferably after an essay writing class) (6 credits)
- College Algebra (take CLEP after some or all of Algebra II) (3 credits)
- 11th grade
- Western Civilization I (take CLEP in June) (3 credits)
- Sociology (study as one semester course – take CLEP in December or June) (3 credits)
- Marketing (2 – 4 week fact cram – no course needed) (3 credits)
- Management (2 – 4 week fact cram – no course needed) (3 credits)
- 12th grade
- English Literature (3 credits)
- Humanities (3 credits)
SEE THESE COURSES ON A SAMPLE HIGH SCHOOL TRANSCRIPT:
A MODIFIED STRATEGY
If your student plans to enroll in a dual enrollment program at a community college for the 11th and 12th grades, then CLEP testing during those years may become less of a goal. To plan for this possibility, focus heavily on earning the bulk of CLEP credits between the 8th and 10th grades. My kids took one CLEP exam in the 11th grade and took none in the 12th grade, because they were taking courses at the community college. Credits earned through testing can be transferred into the community college and help your student earn an associate degree before high school graduation. They can also give your student higher scheduling priority for courses at the college. Read CLEP Advantage at the Community College.
TEENAGERS DO MATURE
The most important thing to keep in mind about starting CLEP exams in middle school is that this age group may not have the same studying endurance and knowledge base that a high school student should have. I started History of US I for my son in the seventh grade and spread it over two years. But his friend did the whole thing in the 8th grade. A middle school student may also lack testing experience. Preparing for a first exam may seem overwhelming to a middle schooler, but trust that students gain skills and knowledge with each experience. They will be able to tackle bigger workloads with positive challenges.
A high school student should be able to prepare for an exam in a shorter period of time and study for multiple CLEP exams in a school year. While a middle school student will require parental coaching, a high school student should eventually be able to study more independently. One of my children studied independently in the 9th grade, while my other two preferred my assistance in the 9th and 10th grades. I viewed the work that I invested into prepping them for CLEP exams as future scholarship money. The merit scholarships they received were my pay. So, I did get paid!
CONCLUDING REMARKS
The above sequence of exams can be modified to fit your student’s needs and abilities whether it is one CLEP exam or sixteen. These are the sixteen exams my children have taken; there are sixteen other choices as well. My advice is to pencil in a proposed schedule and allow for adjustments along the way. Teens change and circumstances change. Be flexible and enjoy the journey!
To learn about the methods and materials we used for each CLEP exam, click on the links for each subject.
See my post on CLEP Exam Difficulty Ranking.
Is your student a good candidate for CLEP exams? Find out in Ideal Candidates for CLEP Testing.
My experience with CLEP testing. 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.
Musing: a period of reflection or thought. As such this post reflects my thoughts, opinions, and experiences on the topic. The choice to home school and the methods you choose are yours to determine.