How to Pass a CLEP Test

It was a long time ago when I graduated high school. While many of my friends went on to college, my aspiration was to work and eventually get married and have children. I took a few college classes at night, but I never focused on a particular field to achieve a degree.

Fast forward to today, when the business climate and competitive job market generally requires more advanced education. So, since my two girls were grown up with lives of their own, I decided it was a good time to go back to school and earn a Bachelor's degree. If you read my profile, you know that I just became a grandma for the first time. So, while I am not yet ready for the rocking chair, it is safe to assume that I was one of the "more mature" students in my night classes.

So why would I go back to school at this point in my life? I wanted the credential. If you have children, you also never stop being a role model to them. I wanted to show them that one is never too old to learn, grow and be challenged.

After three years of this college journey, I am finishing up some final units by "testing" out of a few classes. This means that I am taking tests to earn the college units instead of going to class. This also means that this is saving me time and money. So what's the catch? You need to pass the tests!

Taking a CLEP test is no free ride. The tests are meant to validate your knowledge as if you had taken a semester of the class in college. So, unless you know the topic of your chosen test inside and out, you need to study and prepare.

CLEP stands for: College-Level Examination Program. The tests are usually a set of 100 questions that need to be completed within 90 minutes. Normally the passing score is 50%, but this could vary depending on the test. So what do you need to do? Study, read, take practice tests, then study, read and take another practice test.

Take heart. If I can do it - anyone can do it. I recently took (and passed) the CLEP for "Human Growth and Development". While I know basic human anatomy, and the high school health science class kicked in, I knew nothing about Jean Piaget's cognitive theory of development. I also had no idea that Erik Erikson's description of the 1-1/2 to 4 year old's stage of development was "autonomy versus shame and doubt." I used to call it the "terrible twos."

So, while my ultimate goal was to pass the test and get those 3 units, I have to admit I learned a lot. If you are in the same "boat", based on my experience, here is what I recommend:

• Visit the CLEP website. There is a wealth of information, and you can download (for a price) a study guide for your test.
• Do some online research on purchasing a book that is written specifically for your test topic that includes most of the key points of the subject. I used one published by the Research and Education Association.
• Read the ratings comments on these sites. I got some valuable tips, and discovered Barron's Easy 101 Study Keys this way.
• Sign up on the Petersons website to register for practice tests. For about $20, you get three practice tests. The tests are timed and similar in nature to the real thing. You can gauge your weaknesses and study for them.
• Do your best, and remember, even if you pass is by one point, you still pass.