Free Testing Program for Military Helps Service Members Shorten the Path to a College Degree
CLEP, sponsored by the College Board, allows individuals to demonstrate mastery of introductory college-level subjects. By earning a successful score on one of 35 CLEP exams, students can skip one or more introductory courses and receive college credit for their knowledge. While the examinations have been funded for all military service members since 1974, funded exams were available to service members only in a paper-and-pencil format and only on military installations. This made access particularly challenging for National Guard and Reserve members who often do not live near a military base.
Now, instead of traveling to another part of the state -- or across state lines -- to a base, National Guard members and Reservists will be able to visit their local college to take the funded exams. The $50 exam fee is covered by a contract between the College Board and DANTES, which manages the testing contract for the Department of Defense. Test-takers must simply pay the testing college's registration fee of about $15. Best of all, when service members complete the 90-minute computer-based exam, they are provided with an instant score report. More than 2,900 colleges grant credit based on CLEP scores.
"The College-Level Examination Program played an important role in helping me get my degree," said Vicky Morrison, who spent 14 years as an Air Force recruiter. "I accelerated my graduation by earning 27 credits through CLEP exams." While Morrison often used the Air Force's education benefits as a way to encourage recruits, it took some time before she could begin to earn an undergraduate degree herself. She already had two challenging jobs: serving as a recruiter and being a single mom. Morrison persevered and took college classes wherever she was stationed. With some preparation prior to the exams, she earned CLEP credits for her Spanish-speaking skills and the knowledge she obtained through training in the Air Force. In 2000, she graduated from college with a degree in business administration.
"I still tell students about my success with CLEP. It is truly a way to advance yourself by applying the knowledge you've gained through on-the-job training, independent study, or life experience to earning that college degree," said Morrison. "Making free CLEP exams available at college test centers across the country will enable many more service members to take advantage of this program."
"Of the credit-by-exams programs recognized by colleges, CLEP is by far the most popular among the military," says Len Lipp, who is the manager of Exam Programs at DANTES. "In an average year, in the neighborhood of 70,000 to 75,000 exams are administered across all branches of the military, including the National Guard, the Reserves, and the Coast Guard."
Though National Guard and Reserve make up nearly half the military today, with approximately 1.2 million service members, few have taken advantage of this valuable program to meet their degree goals. Fewer than 5,000 exams per year are administered to members of the National Guard and Reserve.
Michael Cappeto, College Board vice president of Higher Education Assessments, says, "We hope that with greater availability of CLEP exams, more service members will be able to achieve their academic goals -- and save time and money."
CLEP exams range in subject from English Composition to U.S. History, and include Biology and Spanish, among others. Exams are administered on computer at 1,300 college test centers. Each college sets its own credit-granting policy for CLEP examinations. For more information about CLEP, and for a list of colleges administering the exams, visit www.collegeboard.com/clep. You can also visit the DANTES home page at www.dantes.doded.mil.
The College Board is a not-for-profit membership association whose mission is to connect students to college success and opportunity. Founded in 1900, the association is composed of more than 4,500 schools, colleges, universities, and other educational organizations. Each year, the College Board serves over three million students and their parents, 23,000 high schools, and 3,500 colleges through major programs and services in college admissions, guidance, assessment, financial aid, enrollment, and teaching and learning. Among its best-known programs are the SATî, the PSAT/NMSQTî, and the Advanced Placement Programî (APî). The College Board is committed to the principles of excellence and equity, and that commitment is embodied in all of its programs, services, activities, and concerns. For further information, visit www.collegeboard.com.