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 multiple times per month. Registration with both CLEP and the UWM Testing Center are required. Check our registration system for for available appointment times.  Most exams are 90 minutes. Study materials are available in the UWM Bookstore and on the CLEP website.

UWM Test Center Code: 1473

Fees for the exam: The total cost for a CLEP exam is $110. An $85 ($87.00 beginning July 1st) test registration fee is paid to CLEP/Collegeboard on their MyAccount Registration portal. UWM’s fee per test event is $25 and is paid on the test date.  An appointment is required to take this test. View the exam schedule and register at UWM Online Test Registration.

For other questions, call Nancy Halloran at 414-229-5277.

CLEP Resources for Professionals
CLEP Exams Currently Accepted by UWM
 CLEP Exams  UWM Course Equivalent  Credit
 American Government (GER credit)  Political Science 1041  3
 Biology (GER credit)  See Below2  3-6
 Introductory Business Law  Business Admin. 391  3
 Calculus  See Below3
 Chemistry  Chemistry 105  6
 College Algebra  See Below4
 Financial Accounting  Business Admin. 2015  3
 History of the US I: Early Colonization to 1877 (GER credit)  History 151  3
 History of the US II: 1865 to Present (GER credit)  History 152  3
 Human Growth and Development (GER credit)  Nursing 203  4
 Information Systems  Business Admin. 230  3
 Introductory Psychology (GER credit)  Psychology 101  3
 Introductory Sociology (GER credit)  Sociology 101  3
 Precalculus  See Below6
 Principles of Management  Business Admin. 330  3
 Principles of Marketing  Business Admin. 360  3
 Western Civ I: Ancient to Near East to 1648 (GER credit)  History 101  3
 Western Civ II: 1648 to Present (GER credit)  History 102  3
 In addition to the above exams, the Sheldon B. Lubar School of Business also accepts the following:
 Humanities  Letters & Science Elective  3
 Literature Elective  3
 Natural Sciences  Letters & Science Elective  6
 Social Sciences and History  Letters & Science Elective  3
 History Elective  3

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. To pass an exam a score of 50 is needed; any exceptions are noted below.

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 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.

6 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 at the UWM Testing Center (Mellencamp B28) multiple times per month. Please check the online registration system for available appointment times.
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. View the CLEP test schedule at testregistration.uwm.edu to find available test dates/times.
  2. Register with CLEP by creating an account on the My Account registration portal. Follow the steps in order 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 register online through UWM.  To obtain contact information for your preferred test center, go to Test Center Search. You can also indicate your preferred test center during the exam registration process on My Account and have the contact information for your preferred test center printed on your registration ticket.
  3. Register with UWM online at testregistration.uwm.edu by creating an account (if you do not already have an account) and clicking ‘register’ next to the CLEP date/time that you have chosen. You must complete your registration with CLEP (step #2) prior to confirming a test date with UWM.
  4. On the day of your exam, please remember to bring:
    • CLEP registration ticket
    • $25 UWM testing fee per test
    • A single form of photo id with signature is required from the list below
I'm in the military or I'm a veteran. How do 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. View the CLEP test schedule at testregistration.uwm.edu to find available test dates/times.
  2. Register with CLEP by creating an account on the My Account registration portal. Verify your eligibility for military/veterans benefits at http://clep.collegeboard.org/military. Follow the steps in order to register for a CLEP exam. If you are eligible, DANTES funds the CLEP 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 register online through UWM.  To obtain contact information for your preferred test center, go to Test Center Search. You can also indicate your preferred test center during the exam registration process on My Account and have the contact information for your preferred test center printed on your registration ticket.
  3. Register with UWM online at testregistration.uwm.edu by creating an account (if you do not already have an account) and clicking ‘register’ next to the CLEP date/time that you have chosen. You must complete your registration with CLEP (step #2) prior to confirming a test date with UWM.
  4. On the day of your exam, please remember to bring:
    • CLEP registration ticket
    • $25 UWM testing fee per test
    • Military testers must present their 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?
The total cost to test at UWM is $110. CLEP charges an $85 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, directly payable to the institution. UWM charges $25. To obtain contact information for your preferred test center, visit Test Center Search.
What if I have to cancel or re-schedule my test?
There is no penalty for canceling or re-scheduling your test but remember that your registration ticket is only 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. Visit https://clepportal.collegeboard.org/myaccount.
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.
Where else can I test?
You can find test sites at http://clep.collegeboard.org/search/test-centers.
What do I need to bring with me on my test date?
You will need to bring your registration ticket (created at MyAccount at http://clep.collegeboard.org and one form of photo identification from Collegeboard’s approved list.
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.