Why don't more service members take advantage of CLEP exams?

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 21 Mar 2015 07:56:13 -0400

I have been fortunate to have had a leader of mine years ago tell me about CLEP exams and how I should start taking them to get college credits quickly and without taking on any debt as long as I was active duty. I was nervous to try and pass a college level course with 1 exam and ended up putting it off for a few years but finally gave it a try. I found the whole experience easy and needless to say was trilled to have passed that first test and have taken several more over the years saving me time and money in the process. I have found that the exams that have a 50% or higher pass rate are a good starting point and would recommend everyone take at least one just to see if it's for you. Last I checked they are still free if your active duty and there was no consequence if you fail besides having to wait 6 months to try the same exam again. If anyone has updated information please share it.

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 21 at 2015 9:40 AM

CSM Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 21 Mar 2015 09:40:35 -0400

I think as far as the Army goes we do a terrible job of educating our Soldiers on education.

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 21 at 2015 9:46 AM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 21 Mar 2015 09:46:10 -0400

I learned of CLEP exams from an education counselor back in the early 1980s. I took some of the general exams for credit, and I agree with you, CW3 Private RallyPoint Member, they're a great way for active duty military to earn college credit.

Response by SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 21 at 2015 11:20 AM

SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 21 Mar 2015 11:20:56 -0400

Other than the fact that many institutions no long accept CLEP exams??

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 21 at 2015 12:35 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 21 Mar 2015 12:35:03 -0400

I can vouch for CLEP exams being a hidden gem. I took a Spanish CLEP exam and it gave me 12 college credits. Basically an entire semester of college completed in about 2 hours (or less). It also helped me complete the Diversity requirement of the Common Core in my studies.

If it is, in fact, free for Servicemembers, it is a tool I will definitely encourage when providing guidance later on in my career.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 21 at 2015 12:42 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 21 Mar 2015 12:42:22 -0400

There is a stigma and plenty of misinformation that says they are not "real" credits, that they won't transfer. So as much as I hate to do it, here it goes...

Young Specialist in Korea, nothing to do except work and workout (not a big drinker). My Commander tells me that he wants me to go to USMA, OCS or ROTC. I was too old for USMA and only had 6 credits, so no OCS. I figured I was off the hook. He said figure it out.

Fast forward a few weeks, and there I am at the Camp Greaves Education Center (back when the 506 was forward of the river), taking 5 CLEP tests worth 30 college credits. About 6 hours later, and I had my credits. Further, after a little research, I was able to find one of many schools (two of note are Austin Peay University near Fort Campbell and the Fighting Camels of Campbell University in Buies Creek, NC outside of Fort Bragg) that took my CLEP credits AND also gave me college credits for my army training to that point. Six hours, almost 50 credits!

That turned into a college degree, which turned into a Masters, which turned into another Masters and there is more coming. All from those CLEP credits that even when I was a battalion commander, soldiers swore they didn't count, they weren't real credits.

Here's one more for you: as a PL and CO CDR, I used my position (possibly undue command influence) to have every soldier assigned sign up and take at least one CLEP Pre-Test. Many took that and more. There is a number which I choose not to share that have either gone OCS or Green to Gold, not because of me but because they had the ability already. Sometimes we need to cut through the bull and just go for it -- no risk, all reward. Even if you don't pass, you just wait a period of time and retest.

CSM Private RallyPoint Member , not sure how promotion points work for college credits anymore, but for my board, I was able to get credit for all 50ish credits! The gift kept on giving.

I'm all about soldiers taking their own initiative. But I firmly beleive that in this one area, we as leaders should make the time, create the incentive and if we have to, make it mandatory to just try. 30 college credits -- one calendar year of college, knocked out in 6 hours.

Cmon, what are you waiting for?! Great question CW3 Private RallyPoint Member !

*editors note, inserting yourself into the story -- hard not to do on RP -- is a drinking foul. Water down the hatch...time now!

Response by SrA David Steyer made Nov 11 at 2015 7:26 PM

SrA David Steyer — Wed, 11 Nov 2015 19:26:37 -0500

My base years ago, when I tried to finish a A.A.S degree the only options I had were 300 and 400 level CLEP exams at that base.