CLEP Exam Info

Obtain college credit by exam

WHAT IS CLEP?

CLEP (College Level Exam Program) exams, developed by the College Board, allow you to earn college credit and save valuable time & tuition costs.  CLEP exam credits are accepted by many colleges and universities throughout the US.

WE OFFER ALL CLEP EXAMS INCLUDING OPTIONAL ESSAYS!

Southwest Houston Test Center is an authorized CLEP testing center.  All CLEP exams, regardless of format, require an exam fee to be paid directly to CLEP and a separate test administration fee to be paid directly to the test center.

To take a CLEP exam at our center please follow these steps below:

 

STEP 1:  REGISTER WITH CLEP

Register and prepay for your CLEP exam directly through the CLEP website.

STEP 2: REQUEST AN ACCOMMODATION

(if applicable)

If you require an accommodation (modification of standard testing procedures due to a learning or physical disability), please select CLEP with Accommodation when booking your appointment and attach any supporting documentation to the form.  (See the below Accommodations Guide for more details).

If you do NOT require an accommodation, you may SKIP this step and proceed to step 3.

 

STEP 3: SCHEDULE THE TEST 

Once you have registered for your test, return to our website to book your date and time to take your exam.

STEP 4: TAKE YOUR TEST 

Come to our test center on your scheduled day, pay the test center administration fee and earn your college credit!  

You may pay the test administration fee with cash or a major credit card (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover).   Administration fees are as follows:

  • Exam administration WITHOUT accommodations: $25.00
  • Exam administration WITH accommodations: $35.00

STEP 5: PLEASE READ THE CLEP FAQs (located in the column to the right) CAREFULLY PRIOR TO TEST DAY.

CLEP FAQs

1. What do I bring on test day?

  • CLEP Exam Registration Ticket.
  • Form of Payment:  Cash (exact change only) or Credit card (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover) to pay for test administration fee +/- mailing and handling fee (for exams with optional essays)
  • Government-issued, non-expired photo identification (such as Driver License, Passport, Permanent Resident Card (Green Card),  Military ID, certificate of citizenship, etc.). The name on the ID must exactly match the name printed on the ticket 

NOTE- Home-schooled students and high school students: If you do not have the required government-issued ID, please complete a Student ID Form which is valid for one year.  The form must be accompanied by a recognizable photo with a school or notary seal overlapping the photo. The form must be signed in front of a school official or notary. If you fail to present appropriate identification, you will not be tested.  For more information, please visit the CLEP website.

2. When do I receive my score?

You will receive an unofficial score report immediately after your exam at the test center (except for College Composition and Spanish with Writing). The official score report will be sent from the College Board to the credit-granting institution designated by the candidate (student) . Scores are available online one business day following your exam. College Composition exam scores are available 2–3 weeks after testing. For more information, please visit the official Your CLEP Score website.

3. What is the test length?

Most CLEP exams contain multiple-choice questions and take about 90 minutes to complete. The College Composition exam is an exception; it is 125 minutes total and includes 2 parts: a 55-minute multiple choice section (50 questions) and a 70-minute writing section (2 essays).

4. What is the retest policy?

CLEP exams may not be retaken within a three-month period. If a candidate retakes the examination within the three-month period, the administration will be considered invalid, the score will be canceled, and fees will be forfeited.  If you’re repeating an exam of the same title and have a question regarding the date of the initial administration, you should contact CLEP Services at 800-257-9558 to verify the date that you are eligible to retake the exam before scheduling the test. 

5. How do I get a refund when I cancel a CLEP exam?

If you would like to cancel a CLEP exam, you must contact CLEP Services at (800) 257-9558, (212) 237-1331 or email clep@info.collegeboard.org

If you want to reschedule your exam date, you can reschedule directly on our website or email us at  admin@swtestcenter.com.

6. Is there a locker at the test center?

Yes, we provide small lockers with locks.  They are large enough to store personal items (cell phones, purses, wallets, small backpacks, etc.).  However, the test center is not responsible for any loss or damages.  We recommend that you keep all valuables at home.

7. What may I wear/not wear at the test center?

Wear comfortable clothing.  The temperature in the testing rooms range between 70-74 degrees F,

You may wear a sweater, blazer, cardigan, or suit coat.

You may not wear a jacket or coat (such as a rain jacket, oversized jacket, or winter coat, etc.).

You may not wear any head coverings unless they are for religious or medical reason.

8. Is there parking available?

Yes, parking is available around the building.  You may park your car anywhere except spots that are restricted (please adhere to all signage).  In addition, if your test is scheduled for more than one hour, please do not park in the 1-hour restricted spots.

9. What time should I come to the test center?

Please arrive 15 minutes prior to your scheduled test time to complete all check-in procedures.

CLEP Accommodation Guide

Follow these guidelines to request a non-standard testing accommodation:

Complete the Accommodation Request Form found at the College Board website.

Once approved by the College Board, book your appointment on our website and submit the approval letter as supporting documentation when you complete the booking form.

Supporting Documentation must meet the following guidelines:

  1. State the specific disability, as diagnosed. 
  2. Be current (usually within the previous five years).  For psychiatric disabilities, an annual evaluation update must be within one year of the request for accommodations. For visual disabilities, documentation should be within two years, and for physical/medical, an update must be within one year from the time of the request.
  3. Provide relevant educational, developmental, and/or medical diagnosis / history.
  4. Describe the specific accommodations being requested on College Board tests, including the amount of extended time required or the maximum amount of time the student can be tested in a day, if applicable. 
  5. Establish the professional credentials of the evaluator (for example, licensure; certification; area of specialization).  Please also refer to the Disability Documentation Guidelines  on the College Board website for further information.

Step 1- The test center is able to approve the following common standard  accommodations with the appropriate supporting documentation: 

  • ZoomText (screen magnification)
  • Modifiable screen colors
  • Use of a reader, an amanuensis, or a sign language interpreter
  • Extended time
  • Untimed rest breaks

Step 2- Contact CLEP Services, if needed.

If additional/non-standard accommodations are needed (such as a test reader, an amanuensis (scribe), a sign language interpreter, the use of special equipment, or a script for the listening section of the World Language paper and pencil exam, etc.), candidates should submit their requests in writing along with the proper documentation for evaluation and approval by CLEP/College Board. You may contact CLEP Services about testing accommodations at: 800-257-9558, 212-237-1331, or email: clep@info.collegeboard.org.

 

Step 3- Confirm availability of requested accommodation with the test center.

Once you have received approval from CLEP Services, please contact the test center to confirm that we have the appropriate resources to meet your accommodation needs BEFORE registering for your CLEP exam.

 

Step 4- Schedule your test!