College-Level Examination Program CLEP for Minnesota Parents 2008 2009

College-Level Examination Program CLEP for Minnesota Parents 2008 2009

You Are Key to Helping Your Child Succeed This presentation will: Provide an overview of CLEP Enhance your understanding of how the Get Ready, Get Credit initiative works Identify resources for students

What is CLEP? Credit-by-examination program; 41-year history of serving as alternative means to earn college credit 34 introductory college-level exams in: Foreign Languages, Science & Mathematics, Business, English Language & Literature, Social Sciences & History 2,900 colleges grant credit; 1,400 colleges administer CLEP 200,000+ exams administered each year

About the CLEP Exams Computer-based, linear exams Multiple choice, some fill-in blank, listening sections for foreign languages 90-minutes in length, plus tutorial time at beginning Rights-only scoring (no deductions for wrong answers) Immediate score reports (except English Composition w/essay - score mailed 2 3 weeks later) Exams scored on a scale of 20 80; ACE-recommended credit-granting score for all exams is 50 (equivalent to a grade of C )

34 CLEP Exams Composition and Literature American Literature Analyzing and Interpreting Literature English Composition English Composition with Essay English Literature Freshman College Composition Humanities Science and Mathematics Calculus College Algebra Precalculus College Mathematics Biology Chemistry Natural Sciences Foreign Languages French Language German Language Spanish Language History and Social Sciences American Government Human Growth and Development Introduction to Educational Psychology Principles of Macroeconomics Principles of Microeconomics Introductory Psychology Introductory Sociology Social Sciences and History U.S. History I: Early Colonization to 1877 U.S. History II: 1865 to the Present Western Civilization I: Ancient Near East to 1648 Western Civilization II: 1648 to the Present Business Information Systems and Computer Applications Principles of Management Financial Accounting Introductory Business Law Principles of Marketing

CLEP = Student Benefits Acceleration Capable students move ahead into more challenging and interesting advanced coursework, thereby attaining a degree quicker Enhance Educational Opportunities Students can use the credit hours saved by CLEP to pursue either a second major or an advanced degree. Additionally, the time saved could be used to take other advanced courses. Cost Savings CLEP improves affordability for underserved groups who find it increasingly challenging to meet rising college costs.

One Successful Student Says Thanks to CLEP exams, I will be able to add a minor to my college degree. I took Principles of Management while in high school and two more exams when I got to college. Without those credits, I would not have had room in my schedule to take the courses necessary for a minor. Angela Isker, 2006 MN High School Graduate

Get Ready, Get Credit Guidelines Legislation encourages Minnesota public, private, and home schooled students to earn college credit while in high school; students must be currently enrolled Up to six CLEP exams free, regardless of score Students may take an exam from October 1, 2008 through June 30, 2009

Students Want to Know Which CLEP exams does my college recognize for credit? What CLEP exams will move me toward my academic goal? What is the score required to receive credit for a CLEP exam? How much credit is granted for each exam? What is the course equivalent for each exam? How do I register to take an exam?

Steps for Students 1. Request a 2008-09 CLEP Authorization Form from school counselor. 2. Decide which exam(s) to take by discussing with counselor, reviewing MnSCU and UM credit-by-exam policies. 3. Locate a test center by visiting www.collegeboard.com/cleptestcenters. 4. Schedule an appointment with test center. 5. Pay a test administration fee, $15-25.

MN Test Centers 1. Alexandria Technical College 2. Bemidji State University - L 3. Central Lakes College 4. Crown College - L 5. Crossroads College 6. Hennepin Tech Brooklyn Park 7. Hennepin Tech Eden Prairie 8. Inver Hills Community College 9. Lake Superior College 10. MSU Mankato 11. MN West Comm & Tech Worthington 12. North Hennepin CC 13. Northwest Technical Institute 14. Ridgewater College Willmar 15. Ridgewater College- Hutchison 16. Rochester CC 17. Southwest MSU 18. St. Cloud State University 19. Saint Paul College 20. University of MN - Crookston 21. University of MN Morris 22. University of MN Twin Cities 23. University of Phoenix - Minneapolis

Test Center Procedures Candidates must bring two forms of ID to test center Primary ID must be government- or stateissued, with a photo and signature Secondary ID must have a photo and/or signature or use CLEP High School ID form (available from school counselor)

Minnesota Credit-Granting Policies Each institution develops its own credit-granting policy Candidates seeking to earn college credit must check their institutions credit-granting policies prior to taking CLEP exams MnSCU and University of Minnesota policies located on the MDE Web site: http://education.state.mn.us/mde/academic_excellence/college_career_readi/clep/index.html

Important CLEP Information Policy on repeating an examination - Test takers must wait 6 months before repeating an exam Students can select one free score recipient, if selected at the time of the test Additional transcripts $20 Transcripts remain on file for 20 years

Accommodations for Students with Disabilities Accommodations provided: ZoomText (screen magnification) Extended time Untimed rest breaks Use of a reader or sign language interpreter Modifiable screen colors Written script for test takers who are hard of hearing (for exams with listening components) Special setting (e.g. private, small group, wheelchair access)

CLEP Preparation for Students Review exam descriptions Review textbooks and/or past course notes Check with the college to see what materials are used in the equivalent course Review and follow recommendations in the CLEP Official Study Guide Answer sample questions Become familiar with the computer-based format by downloading the CLEP Sampler

Student Resources on the Web www.collegeboard.com/clep Exam descriptions List of CLEP colleges and test centers Test preparation materials: CLEP Sampler free tutorial CLEP Official Study Guide sample questions for all subjects, $24.95 CLEP Individual Study Guides only available online $10

Want More Information? Contact your school counselor or visit CLEP on the Web at: www.collegeboard.com/clep