THE 1st CLEP

The first CLEP exam is always nerve-wracking. You just don’t know what you don’t know! Below are a few tips to help you feel more prepared.

Tips for Parents

Make your student take the test. It sounds obvious, but some parents succumb to the temptation to cancel because their student doesn’t feel ready. However, if they’ve studied for it, they should follow through and take it.
Sign them up for Modern States to get a free voucher. Learn how to take a CLEP for free here.
Know where you are going – not only how to get to the testing center but where to go once you get there. Plan extra time for parking and paying the test center fee which may be in a different area than the exam. Call the testing center ahead of time if you have any questions.
Know what to bring. Your child will need identification, money for the testing fee, and the CLEP registration ticket.
Inform your student before the test that 50 is a passing score. This is not the type of scoring system we are used to. One of my daughters walked out of her first CLEP disappointed because she thought she’d failed. She hadn’t! I just forgot to tell her what passing was.
Read My Top Ten CLEP Prep Tips for Parents by Jennifer Cook-DeRosa.

Ask for scratch paper – even if you don’t think you will need it. Before you begin the test, write down information that you don’t want to forget.
Answer every question. There is no penalty for guessing, but an unanswered question is always wrong. If you are unsure, answer the question and “mark” it for later. If you have time, you will be able to go back and review the questions that you marked.
Understand that you won’t know everything on the test. You may not have even heard of some things. That’s ok! These are broad exams and it is impossible to study everything. Don’t let unknown questions shake your confidence. You can still achieve a passing score.
Don’t cancel your score. Ever. You will be asked more than once at the end of the test if you want to cancel your score. Don’t! There is never a good reason to cancel your score.
Watch the College Board video on how to use the platform.
Read 7 Ways to Fail Your CLEP Exam.