What if I told you that you might not have to take a single math class in your entire college career. Never again will you have to fall asleep to the painful sounds of algebra in a class you’re paying for but you don’t want to take.
What if I told you this doesn’t only apply to algebra. From history, to psychology, economics and even three world languages, the College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) provides college students with the opportunity to prove their knowledge.
After having suffered at the hands of math my entire childhood, I was horrified to find out I needed to take an introductory math course in order to continue taking classes at Colorado Mesa University (CMU).
To sign up for my lower division requirements, the MAVMilestone and speech, I had to complete all essential learning courses, math being the only one left. Knowing I couldn’t put myself through even a semester of mind-numbing algebra, I began searching for alternatives.
CMU is quite open to these opportunities, as I found out about the CLEP through the school’s math department. Not only that, but CMU’s Testing Center in Houston Hall is recognized as an official testing center by the CLEP parent company, College Board.
What this means is that after registering for the exam online, you can select a date here at CMU and simply walk to the center five minutes before the test.
The exam does not come without a price, however, as it costs $80 to register online, and around a $30 fee at the testing center itself. Though, if you are a CMU student without financial holds, the $30 fee is billed to your student account if you take the exam at CMU.
What’s more, if you pass the exam you are essentially paying the $110 to skip a math class that costs $1,246.35 for in-state tuition and fees, assuming you are not COF eligible.
In preparation for the exam itself, I found that I only needed a couple of days of review through Khan Academy and the Tutorial Learning Center (TLC) to refresh my understanding on the topic.
Frankly, the exam was a lot harder than I expected, but I passed it nonetheless. If it has been a year or more since your last math class, I would suggest you put in the work to refresh before the exam.
Despite the $110 risk and the intermittent algebra cramming I endured, taking the CLEP through College Board might have been the most sound decision I made all semester.
If you know course content for a class you are required to take here at CMU, I highly advise that you consider the CLEP.
