Rock Valley College

CLEP (College-Level Examination Program)

Shorten Your Path to a College Degree with CLEP

CLEP testing is a great way to earn college credit by studying and taking a test. All you need is a desire to earn college credit and save tuition money! There are two options for studying and preparing for CLEP Testing: Free and Traditional

Option 1: Free

Sign up with Modern States, take their FREE courses, and pay nothing to test. Modern States Education Alliance is a non-profit group funding the resources to help you get college credit for FREE! This program is open to anyone with no limit on location, age, or income. They offer:

  • Free access to over 30 online classes taught by professors from schools such as Columbia, Johns Hopkins, and Rutgers University
  • Free online lessons and materials
  • Free voucher for taking the corresponding CLEP (College-Level Examination Program) test
  • Free test center administration fee (reimbursement)
     

Visit Modern States for more information.

Option 2: Traditional

Use a study method that works best for you – see suggestions below. Then, buy your CLEP test and test when you are ready.

  • CLEP offers an Official Study Guide App called ExamIam, which is available for most of the CLEP exams. The cost is $14.99 per subject.
  • CLEP Study Guides are also available for purchase at most major bookstores, including Amazon. You can also download a study guide for each individual exam for $10 each.
  • CLEP At-A-Glance Sheets are available for each exam. Each provide a Description of the Exam, outline the Knowledge and Skills required, and include Some Sample Test Questions and Study Resources.

More About CLEP

CLEP is a national program of credit by examination that gives you the opportunity to receive college credit for what you know. Whether you are just entering college and hoping to accelerate your studies, a part-time student concerned with the fastest route to a degree or a working adult thinking about beginning or resuming college, CLEP can help you!

The 34 different CLEP tests are computer-based, approximately 90 minutes in length, and most give immediate scores. Each college and university will have their own acceptance policies and minimum scores required to award credit. Contact the school you are attending or plan to attend to ensure the CLEP exam you would like to take meets their requirements.

Rock Valley College (RVC) students may contact Academic Advising to assist in selecting appropriate CLEP tests.

In addition to Rock Valley College, CLEP is offered at multiple test sites.

Rock Valley College offers CLEP testing year-round and has been a top 100 national CLEP test center in the last 5 of 8 years. We believe in helping you save money and getting closer to your educational goals.


Upcoming Test Dates, Registration, and Test Procedures

Test Dates

  • March 1, 2023 at 10 a.m.
  • March 8, 2023 at 4:30 p.m.
  • March 8, 2023 at 5:30 p.m.
  • March 16, 2023 at 10 a.m.
  • March 30, 2023 at 10 a.m.
  • April 5, 2023 at 4:30 p.m.
  • April 5, 2023 at 5:30 p.m.
  • April 13, 2023 at 10 a.m.
  • April 27, 2023 at 10 a.m.
  • May 3, 2023 at 4:30 p.m.
  • May 3, 2023 at 5:30 p.m.
  • May 25, 2023 at 10 a.m.

CLEP Registration Procedure

  1. Appointments are required. See above dates. Email the Testing Center at rvc-testing-center@rockvalleycollege.edu with preferred date, test name, and contact information including a phone number.
  2. Register for the exam.
    • Click create an account
    • Browse & select your exam; add to cart
    • Pay $90 exam fee by credit or debit card
    • Print off registration ticket; bring ticket with you on exam day to RVC
    • Registration ticket is valid for six months
  3. A $20 test proctor fee will be due on the day of the exam; cash or check only (made payable to Rock Valley College).

Please Note: If you have a documented disability, contact (815) 921-2385 to discuss testing accommodations with Testing Center staff prior to scheduling your CLEP exam. 

Test Procedures

  • Arrive 10 minutes prior to exam time and check in at Main Campus Student Center (Info Center)
  • Bring a valid government issued photo ID (i.e. driver's license, state ID, passport)
  • Bring registration ticket
  • Bring $20 cash/check proctor fee
  • Bring a face mask (or one will be provided)

Military Personnel and Veterans

To assist military personnel in meeting their educational goals, the Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES) funds CLEP exams for eligible military service members and eligible civilian employees. Learn more about DANTES-funded testing.