College Level Exam Program (CLEP)

CLEP is a series of examinations that allow individuals to earn college credit for what they already know. This test is internet-based and score reports are available upon completion of the exam. The test is offered one day per month. Registration with both CLEP and the UWM Testing Center are required.  Most exams are 90 minutes. Study materials are available on the CLEP website.

UWM Test Center Code: 1473

Fees for the exam: CLEP charges $87 per registration fee is paid to CLEP/Collegeboard on their MyAccount Registration portal. UWM charges $25 plus a minimal processing fee and is paid when the appointment is made. Register online on our registration system.

For other questions, call the Testing Center at 414.229.4689.

CLEP Resources for Professionals
CLEP Exams Currently Accepted by UWM

Credit awards for CLEP exams are based on whether you are pursuing a bachelor’s degree or an associate degree at UWM.  Students who pursue both a bachelor’s degree and an associate degree at UWM will receive each credit award within the respective degree program.

Credit will be granted if you have not received credit for any college course in the test area, and are not presently enrolled in such courses. A minimum score of 50 is needed to earn credit from any exam; exceptions are noted below.  Blank fields indicate that no credit is awarded for the particular CLEP exam in the referenced degree program.

 CLEP Exams  UWM Bachelor Course Equivalent  UWM Associate Course Equivalent
 American Government  POL SCI 104, 3 credits1 (GER)
 Biology  See Below, 3-6 credits2 (GER)
 Introductory Business Law  BUS ADM 391, 3 credits
 Calculus  See Below3
 Chemistry  CHEM 105, 6 credits
 College Algebra  See Below4
 College Composition  CGS ENG 1025
 Financial Accounting  BUS ADM 201, 3 credits6  CGS BUS 201, 4 credits (GER)
 History of the US I: Early Colonization to 1877  HIST 151, 3 credits (GER)
 History of the US II: 1865 to Present  HIST 152, 3 credits (GER)
 Human Growth and Development  NURS 203, 4 credits (GER)
 Humanities  Letters & Science Elective, 3 credits7  HU degree credit, 4 credits (GER)
 Literature Elective, 3 credits7
 Information Systems  BUS ADM 230, 3 credits
 Introductory Psychology  PSYCH 101, 3 credits (GER)  CGS PSY 202, 3 credits (GER)
 Introductory Sociology  SOCIOL 101, 3 credits (GER)
 Natural Sciences  Letters & Science Elective, 6 credits7  NS degree credit, 4 credits (GER)8
 Precalculus  See Below9
 Principles of Macroeconomics  CGS ECO 101, 3 credits (GER)
 Principles of Management  BUS ADM 330, 3 credits
 Principles of Marketing  BUS ADM 360, 3 credits
 Principles of Microeconomics  CGS ECO 101, 3 credits (GER)
 Social Sciences and History  Letters & Science Elective, 3 credits7  SS degree credit, 4 credits (GER)
 History Elective, 3 credits7
 Western Civ I: Ancient to Near East to 1648  HIST 101, 3 credits (GER)
 Western Civ II: 1648 to Present  HIST 102, 3 credits (GER)

1 Non majors only

2 Biology: A score of 50 earns 3 credits of Bio Sci 102.  Scores greater than 50 earn an additional 3 credits of Bio Sci elective for a total of 6 credits.

3 Calculus: A score of 50 to 63 grants 4 credits for Math 211; A score of 64 or higher grants 4 credits for Math 231.

4 College Algebra: Math Placement Level 30 is granted for a score of 63 or higher. Course credit is not granted.

5 To earn credit, students also must submit a portfolio of 10 polished pages of academic writing that demonstrates the CGS ENG 102 learning outcomes. The portfolio should include writing that takes a position and incorporates credible academic research and should document the writing process as well as the final products (i.e, including drafts is appropriate). Also included with the portfolio should be a cover letter of at least 500 words that introduces readers to the work included in the portfolio, explains how the portfolio demonstrates achievement of the CGS ENG 102 learning outcomes, and demonstrates the student’s ability to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of his or her writing..  Please contact the contact the Arts and Humanities Department Chair in the UWM College of General Studies for additional information.

6 A ranking at or above the 78th percentile will be required on the Introductory Accounting Exam for it to be considered equivalent to a grade of “B” for continuation in the Accounting-option track. Otherwise, a score of 50 is passing.

7 Students in the Sheldon B. Lubar School of Business only.

8 Credit earned for the Natural Sciences section will not count toward the associate degree natural science laboratory requirement.

9 Pre-Calculus: Math Placement Level 40 is granted for a score of 61 or higher. Course credit is not granted.

CLEP Frequently Asked Questions
Where and when are CLEP exams offered?

CLEP exams are offered one day per month. Register through our online registration system

What is the length of the test?
Most exams are 90 minutes. The College Composition exam is 2 hours and the College Composition Modular optional essay is 70 minutes. Some exams are divided into timed sections, such as the College Composition and the foreign language exams. Allow an additional 15 minutes for instruction, viewing of the tutorial and completion of demographic information.
How can I register for a CLEP Exam?

There are a few steps to register for a CLEP exam. You must register with BOTH UWM and CLEP by following these steps:

  1. Register with CLEP by creating an account on the My Account registration portal. Follow the steps to register for a CLEP exam and pay for your exam fee.  Make sure to print your registration ticket to present to the test center on your test day.  After you register for an exam through CLEP, you must also register online through UWM.
  2. Register through our online registration system. You must complete your registration with CLEP (step #1) prior to confirming a test date with UWM.
  3. On the day of your exam, please remember to bring your CLEP registration ticket and a single form of photo id with signature.
I'm in the military or I'm a veteran. How do I register for a CLEP exam?
  1. Register with CLEP by creating an account on the My Account registration portal. Verify your eligibility for military/veterans benefits. Follow the steps to register for a CLEP exam. If you are eligible, DANTES funds the CLEP exam fee. After you register for an exam through CLEP, you must register online through UWM.
  2. Register through our online registration system. You must complete your registration with CLEP prior to confirming a test date with UWM.
  3. On the day of your exam, please remember to bring your CLEP registration ticket and your Military ID and social security card
How many CLEP exams may I take?
Universities specify the maximum number for credits that can be granted. Check with your college for their policy. UWM does not limit the number of credits.
How much does a CLEP Exam cost?
CLEP charges an $87 exam fee. The exam fee is nonrefundable and registration tickets expire 6 months from the time of purchase. In addition, most test centers charge a nonrefundable administration fee. UWM charges $25 plus a minimal processing fee.
What if I cancel or re-schedule my test?
All fees are non-refundable and you can reschedule online.  Remember that your registration ticket is valid for 6 months from the time of purchase.
How do I receive my scores?
You will receive an unofficial copy of your exam score immediately upon completion of the exam unless you have taken College Composition. For this exam you will receive a combined score after the essay has been scored, usually three to four weeks after your test date. If you want to send your scores to a college, employer or certifying agency, you can request that the scores be sent to a score recipient through the My Account registration portal prior to exam day.
How are scores computed?
Computer-based CLEP exams are scored without penalty for incorrect guessing. Your raw score is simply the number of questions answered correctly. The raw score is not reported. It is translated into a scaled score by a process that adjusts for differences in the difficulty of the questions on the various forms of the test. The scaled score provides an unchanging measure of performance regardless of which version of a particular examination you take or when you take it.
Does my CLEP score count in my grade-point average?
Generally, you are given credit by the college or university but no letter grade.
For which courses do I receive credit?
This is determined by each college’s ‘credit by examination policy.’
Can CLEP be transferred?
Yes. Check the CLEP policy of the institution to which you wish to transfer. You may need to request a transcript from Collegeboard be sent to your new institution. You can complete the request form found at http://media.collegeboard.com/digitalServices/pdf/clep/clep-transcript-request-form.pdf.
How do I prepare for a CLEP?
Use The Official Study Guide for the CLEP Examinations available on CLEP’s website. You can also check your local library for a copy of CLEP study guides.
What do I need to bring with me on my test date?
You will need to bring your registration ticket created at MyAccount and one form of photo identification from Collegeboard’s approved list. Military testers must present their Military ID and social security card.
Your ID must be a government-issued photo ID. The ID must include the candidate’s name, signature, and a recognizable photograph. Acceptable forms of identification include:

  • Current passport with name, photograph, and signature
  • Valid driver’s license with name, photograph, and signature
  • State or Province ID issued by the motor vehicle agency with name, photograph, and signature
  • Military ID
  • National ID with name, photograph, and signature
  • A tribal ID card
  • A naturalization card or certificate of citizenship

If the student is a minor and unable to provide a primary government-issued ID, then the College Board ID Form must be used for the primary ID. This form must include a recognizable photo, and the school seal must overlap the photo. The student must sign the ID form in the presence of the student’s counselor or principal. Ask the student to sign the ID form again at the test center. This form is valid only in United States test Centers. It must be dated and is good for only one year.

Contact CLEP Services at (800) 257-9558, (609) 771-7865, or clep@info.collegeboard.org for information on obtaining the College Board ID Form, or download it from the Exam Day Info page of the CLEP website.