College Level Examination Program (CLEP)

The College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) is a series of examinations in 34 introductory college subjects that allow individuals to earn college credit for what they already know regardless of how that knowledge was acquired — through advanced course work, independent study, work experience, professional development, or extracurricular activities. McLennan Community College awards credit for successful scores on CLEP exams.

The MCC Testing Services department proctors all CLEP exams. CLEP exams are computer-based and each is 90 minutes long with the exception of College Composition (120 minutes) and College Composition Modular (160 minutes) with essay. It is strongly recommended students study from a textbook used in a college level course related to the subject matter. Also the CLEP study guide is helpful for taking practice tests.

McLennan Community College accepts ONLY the CLEP exams listed on the College Credit by Examination policy. MCC Institution Code for CLEP is 6429.

College Credit by Examination (Policy B-VI)

EXAM FEE
$95.00 paid to CLEP
$20.00 (plus $3.50 service fee) paid to MCC

MCC Testing Services fees are non-refundable and non-transferable. Students will be required to schedule a new appointment and repay any testing center fees, if they do not reschedule prior to their scheduled appointment time, arrive late, or do not show for their scheduled appointment.

TAKING A CLEP EXAM
Step 1: Register & Pay for your CLEP Exam
Step 2: Print Your Voucher: Once account creation is completed and the CLEP fee has been paid, students print a non-refundable testing voucher, valid for 6 months. Students MUST bring the printed CLEP Voucher Ticket to the Testing Services department.
Step 3: Schedule your exam with MCC Testing Services: Students must schedule an appointment to take the CLEP exam at MCC. Upon registration, students will pay a nonrefundable administration fee.

SCHEDULE AN EXAM

RETEST
The CLEP program has a policy that states the exam may not be retaken within a three month period. If the candidate retakes the exam during this period, the administration is considered invalid, the score is canceled, and exam fees are forfeited.

CLEP may waive this policy for exams retaken after a three-month period upon special written request from an institution.

For more information, contact CLEP services at 1-800-257-9558 or clep@info.collegeboard.org.

WHAT TO BRING ON TEST DAY
A valid, unexpired photo ID is required for all testing. Acceptable forms of government-issued IDs include a driver's license, state ID card, passport, military ID, national ID, tribal ID, naturalization card, certificate of citizenship, or permanent resident card (Green Card). A photo or photocopy of an ID is not acceptable. Photos must be clear and recognizable. Student IDs are acceptable for the following exams: ALEKS Exam, MCC Course Exams, Correspondence Exams, and TSIA.

A valid registration ticket for each CLEP exam.

Calculators will be provided on the computer within the exam.

SCORES
You will receive your unofficial score report upon completion of your exam with the exception of College Composition. The official score report should be receive by your school of choice within two weeks from exam date.

TESTING SCHEDULE
The CLEP exam is given by appointment only, and is offered during regular testing hours.

CLEP Guidelines:

  • CLEP credits cannot be assigned a letter grade and are not counted in grade point average (GPA) calculations.
  • Official CLEP score reports must be sent to McLennan Community College. Students can request official score reports to be sent when they register for the exam or by contacting The College Board at collegeboard.org/clep.
  • CLEP credit cannot be counted as part of the class load for financial aid purposes.
  • No more than 24 credit by exam credits may be applied to your undergraduate degree with MCC.
  • McLennan Community College has a list of recognized CLEP exams that it accepts for credit. It is the student's responsibility to verify that the exam s/he takes will apply to his/her program of study.
  • Students are strongly encouraged to consult with an advisor prior to taking a CLEP exam.
  • Every institution establishes its own policies regarding CLEP. If the student chooses to transfer to another institution, s/he should be aware of the CLEP requirement, minimum scores, and credit awarded for CLEP exams.
  • Credits are awarded for CLEP exams according to the policy in effect at the time of the CLEP transcript.
  • Students may not repeat the same CLEP exam within three months of the initial testing date.
  • All CLEP testing is computer-based. Students will receive unofficial CLEP transcript upon completion of the exam. (Exceptions: College Composition with essay and College Composition Modular with essay.)
  • McLennan Community College reserves the right to revise this policy without notice.

RESOURCES
Registering for a CLEP Exam
CLEP Information for the Test Taker's Booklet
Free Online CLEP Prep Courses

TESTING ACCOMMODATIONS
If you have a disability, such as a learning or physical disability, that would prevent you from taking a CLEP exam under standard conditions, you may request accommodations at your preferred test center. Contact your preferred test center well in advance of the test date to make the necessary arrangements and to find out the deadline to submit documentation and approval of accommodations. Accommodations that can be arranged directly with test centers include:

  • ZoomText (screen magnification)
  • Modifiable screen colors
  • Use of a human reader, a scribe/writer, or a sign language interpreter
  • Extended time
  • Rest breaks (as needed)

If the above accommodations do not meet your needs, do not register online for your exam. Contact CLEP Services for information about other accommodations.