How to CLEP Test for College Algebra

Co-authored by Daron Cam

Last Updated: December 11, 2022 References

The CLEP Test for College Algebra is administered to students just finishing or just out of high school. It tests information you would use in a basic college algebra class and can be used to test out of algebra classes in college. If you want to take the CLEP test, study for your exam by purchasing a study guide and taking practice tests. Register for the exam online and complete it in an exam center in your area. After completing the exam, review your score. If you dislike your score, you can retake the CLEP test again later on.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Studying for Your Exam

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Purchase a CLEP study guide. CLEP study guides are available for purchase online and at some bookstores. If you're taking an advanced placement math course at your high school, they may provide CLEP study guides for you.^{[1]
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- As the CLEP test guidelines change each year, make sure you get a study guide designed for the year you're taking the exam.
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Take any practice tests offered.^{[2]
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Expert Source

Daron Cam
Academic Tutor
Expert Interview. 29 May 2020.} CLEP test practice tests are sometimes found in the back of study guides. They may also be found if you're taking a practice course online or just be offered online for free. Talk to your teachers about where you can find quality CLEP practice tests and take as many as possible.

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Eliminate distractions while studying. Find a comfortable atmosphere to study that's free of distractions. Sit somewhere on a desk or table, like in your kitchen, and power down any electronics you don't need to study. Immersing yourself in a completely distraction-free environment during study sessions can help you more easily absorb the material.^{[3]
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Break the information into small chunks. Do not attempt to tackle all the information you need to know at once. This will only overwhelm you. Instead, break up materials into small chunks and set aside a few days or a week to master each section.^{[4]
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- This means you'll have to be studying for the CLEP test for a few weeks on end. Understand taking the CLEP test requires a lot of commitment and studying is a long term project.
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Give yourself treats and breaks. No one can work for hours on end without pause, Instead of planning to cram all night, work for about half an hour and then give yourself a 10 minute break and work another half hour. You should also incorporate rewards to motivate yourself. For example, allow yourself to have a snack you like after each study session.^{[5]
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Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Registering and Completing the Exam

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Register for the exam online. Go to the CLEP website at clep.collegeboard.org. If you don't already have an account, create one by clicking "My Account" and following instructions. You will then be walked through the steps to register for an exam and pay the exam fee.^{[6]
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- Make sure to print out your ticket for the exam after registering.
- If you're taking an advanced placement math course, your teacher can probably help you register for the CLEP exam.
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Find your testing center. Visit the CLEP center search section on the CLEP website to find a testing center in your area. CLEP tests are offered at thousands of colleges throughout the country, so you should be able to find a center within driving distance.^{[7]
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- If there aren't any testing centers near you, you may be able to take a CLEP test when you first start college or university. The CLEP test is not offered online.
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Make sure to bring an ID. Check the regulations for your testing center online. Each center requires an ID, but requirements for IDs vary. Some centers may allow you to use a student ID or something similar, but others may require a driver's license, passport, or birth certificate.^{[8]
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Review the rules in the testing center. Before attending the exam, read the rules for the test center carefully. While rules vary by center, you're generally not allowed to bring books or electronics other than a calculator into the exam room. Food and drink are usually not permitted and you will need to remain quiet and calm while completing the exam.
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Bring a scientific calculator. Make sure you get the latest model of scientific calculator before entering the exam room. You can ask a teacher or look online to see which model you will need. Many problems on the CLEP exam require a scientific calculator to complete.^{[9]
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- If a scientific calculator is out of your price range, try buying a refurbished one or borrowing one from a friend.
- Some test centers provide their own calculators. To save yourself the trouble of bringing a calculator unnecessarily, check to see if your center provides calculators.
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Take your exam. The CLEP test consists of 60 questions. These must be answered in 90 minutes or less, so keep an eye on the time. Half the test is routine problems that require basic algebra. The other half is non-routine problems that make sure you understand the fundamental theories behind algebra.^{[10]
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Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Receiving Your Grade

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Review your score. When you receive your score, review it to see if it can be used to test out of college algebra. In general, a score of at least 50 will get you out of three semester hours of college algebra. This may mean you can skip introductory algebra courses at your college.^{[11]
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Check your college's policy on CLEP tests. Not every college allows students to test out using CLEP tests. Some colleges may have stricter policies and handle CLEP tests differently. Before assuming you do not need to enroll in math courses, talk to a counselor at your school so you know their policy.^{[12]
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Retake the test if you're unhappy with your score. If you scored under 50, you can retake the test after a wait period of three months. Your new score will invalidate any previous scores. There are no fees for retaking the test.
- Make sure to study extensively before retaking the test to build up your score. Consider taking a CLEP test course online or at a local college.

Community Q&A

Question

How do I know if I'm ready to CLEP test for college algebra?

Daron Cam
Academic Tutor
Daron Cam is an Academic Tutor and the Founder of Bay Area Tutors, Inc., a San Francisco Bay Area-based tutoring service that provides tutoring in mathematics, science, and overall academic confidence building. Daron has over eight years of teaching math in classrooms and over nine years of one-on-one tutoring experience. He teaches all levels of math including calculus, pre-algebra, algebra I, geometry, and SAT/ACT math prep. Daron holds a BA from the University of California, Berkeley and a math teaching credential from St. Mary's College.

Daron Cam

Academic Tutor

Expert Answer

Take a practice test either in person or online. This will test your knowledge and help you see how prepared you are for the real test.