CLEP Testing 

"The College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) gives you the opportunity to receive college credit for what you already know by earning qualifying scores on any of 34 examinations. Earn credit for knowledge you've acquired through independent study, prior course work, on-the-job training, professional development, cultural pursuits, or internships." excerpted from CLEP Homepage

To learn more about this computerized test, please read through the information below:

• Acceptable Forms of Identification for CLEP Testing
• CLEP Preparation
• Exam Descriptions
• JJC's CLEP Policy
• Retaking the Test
• Score Reports
• Special Accommodations
• Steps to Take the Test
• Testing Fees
• Testing Times and Locations

Acceptable Forms of Identification for CLEP Testing

CLEP mandates that testers present two forms of identification.  The primary form must be a government-issued photo ID with signature, such as a passport, state-issued driver's license, state-issued ID card, tribal ID, naturalization card, or certificate of citizenship.  The secondary form of ID must have a photo or signature such as a Social Security card, student ID, credit card, or employee ID.  All DANTES-funded military candidates must present a current military ID.  If you fail to present appropriate ID, you will not be tested.

CLEP Preparation

CLEP testers may choose to prepare by reviewing study guides and other printed resources. See the list below of available study materials.

• CLEP Exam Practice Tests
• CLEP Website Study Materials
• JJC Library Study Materials

CLEP Exam Practice Tests

Visit the CLEP Exam Practice Tests Web page to complete free practice tests. Please note that this website is not affiliated with the College Board; the College Board produces CLEP and all official CLEP study materials.

CLEP Website Study Materials

Learn how to prepare by visiting the Preparing for CLEP Web page where you will find the items listed below. Please note that some items are available for a fee.

• Before Exam Day Tips
• CLEP Official Study Guide
• Essay Tips
• Multiple-Choice Tips
• On Exam Day Tips
• Study Plan
  • Composition and Literature Resources
  • Foreign Languages Resources
  • History and Social Sciences Resources
  • Science and Mathematics Resources
  • Business Resources
  • Authentic Study Materials
• Study Resources
• Study Tips from Students

JJC Library Study Materials

While some of the study material on the CLEP website are available for a fee; all JJC Library CLEP study materials are free for all JJC students to borrow.

CLEP Resources in the Library (PDF)

Exam Descriptions

Visit the CLEP Exam Descriptions Web page to learn more about the components of each exam. With the exception of the "English Composition with Essay" test, each test lasts 90 minutes. Similarly, with the exception of "English Composition with Essay," most tests are primarily composed of multiple-choice questions. Some mathematics exams include fill-in-the-blank type questions. All exams are scored on a scale of 20 to 80, not 1 to 100.

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JJC's CLEP Policy

The American Council on Education (ACE) recommends a credit-granting score of 50 with the exceptions of four-semester-language-exam scores. Each institution sets its own policy; to learn more about the required CLEP scores for JJC Courses, please see the tables below. For a more printer-friendly version of these materials, see the JJC CLEP Equivalency Handout (PDF).

There are five general examinations (English with essay-following departmental review, Humanities, Mathematics, Natural Sciences, and Social Sciences/History) for which students may be awarded up to six semester hours of credit in each area passed. Credit also may be awarded in certain specific courses pending attainment of the minimum score required. Please be aware that you can acquire no more than 30 credit hours of CLEP to be used as equivalencies for JJC coursework.

CLEP General Exams and their JJC and IAI Equivalencies

* IAIGEEC is the acronym for the Illinois Articulation Initiative’s General Education Core Curriculum. For more details visit iTransfer.org.

CLEP Subject Matter Exams and their JJC and IAI Equivalencies

* IAIGEEC is the acronym for the Illinois Articulation Initiative's General Education Core Curriculum. For more details visit iTransfer.org.

** The American Council of Education (ACE) recommends a uniform credit-granting score of 50 across all subjects (excluding higher level foreign languages).

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Retaking the Test

Candidates may not repeat a CLEP exam of the same title within six months. Scores of exams repeated earlier than six months will be canceled and test fees forfeited. There are no exceptions to this rule.

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Score Reports

With the exception of the "English Composition with Essay" test, you will receive your score report immediately upon completion of testing. Scores for the "English Composition with Essay" test are available four to five weeks after the exam date. To learn more about the following score-related information, please visit the CLEP Score and Transcripts Web page.

• Receiving scores
• Sending score reports to your college, employer, or certifying agency
• Obtaining CLEP transcripts
• Obtaining transcripts for military personnel
• Cancelling scores so they are not reported to your college, employer, or certifying agency
• Interpreting your scores

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Special Accommodations

If you have a learning or physical disability that would prevent you from taking a CLEP exam under standard conditions, you may request special accommodations and arrangements to take it on either a regularly scheduled test date or at a specially scheduled administration. For details, please contact the JJC Academic Skills Center Manager before you register.

CLEP exams are administered on the computer. If you require a paper-and-pencil CLEP exam administration, contact the CLEP Web site directly. Paper-and-pencil administrations are only available for some of the CLEP exams. The fee for each paper-and-pencil exam is $120. Please note that immediate score reports are not available with paper-and-pencil testing. You will receive your scores four to five weeks after the testing date.

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Steps to Take the Test

1. Read CLEP Exam Descriptions Web page of all 34 exams and decide which exam(s) to take.
2. Find out your college's CLEP policy by contacting your admissions office, test center, or academic advisor. If you intend to use CLEP credit at JJC, please familiarize yourself with JJC's CLEP Policy.
3. Speak with the Academic Skills Center Manager if you need special accommodations.
4. Register to take your exam(s) by contacting the JJC Academic Skills Center at (815) 280-2261 and scheduling your appointment. Let the scheduler know if you intend to take an essay as part of your CLEP test.
5. Start studying; use some of the CLEP Preparation options mentioned above.
6. Pay the CLEP Testing fee at the Service Center; this center is located at J-1002 near the JJC Bookstore and Admissions Department.
7. Arrive at the testing center 10 minutes before your scheduled test with your CLEP receipt from the Service Center and two acceptable forms of identification; if you do not have appropriate identification ID, you will not be allowed to test. There are no exceptions to this rule!
8. Give the CLEP Proctor your backpack, books, paperwork, food, drink, all electronic devices, and all other personal items; these are not allowed in the testing area.
9. Complete your test(s).
10. Receive your CLEP score report immediately upon completion of testing.
11. Retest for a fee if necessary, after waiting the mandatory six-month period.
12. If you completed an essay with your exam, wait 4 to 5 weeks to receive the results of this test.
13. Five weeks after your testing date, contact your school to ensure they received your scores. If the scores were received, you are finished with the CLEP testing process. If your school did not receive your scores, please contact CLEP directly.
14. Contact CLEP directly if you would like your scores sent to another institution. This option is available if a testing candidate chooses to send his or her transcripts to a score recipient other than the one selected on the test. Credit cards are accepted for telephone orders through CLEP Services at (800) 257-9558. There is a $20.00 transcript fee for this service.

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Testing Fees

The total cost to take one CLEP Exam at the JJC Academic Skills Center can range from $87.00 - $135.00.

Below is a breakdown of these fees:

• CLEP Exam Fee: $72.00
  • Preferred form of payment: Credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, JCB, and debit cards with the Visa or MasterCard logo)
  • Other acceptable forms of payment: Checks or money orders made payable to CLEP
  • NO CASH ACCEPTED
• CLEP Exam Fee for Optional Essay: $10.00
  • American Literature, Analyzing and Interpreting Literature, English Literature, and Freshman College Composition sometimes require an additional optional essay. If the exam chosen requires an optional essay, the examinee must inform the testing site in advance. There is a two-week wait for the essay materials to be delivered to the testing site.
  • Preferred form of payment: Credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, JCB, and debit cards with the Visa or MasterCard logo)
  • Other acceptable forms of payment: Checks or money orders made payable to CLEP
  • NO CASH ACCEPTED
• JJC Administrative Fee: $15.00
  • Preferred form of payment: Credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and debit cards with the Visa or MasterCard logo)
  • This payment is in addition to and not to be combined with the CLEP exam fee. Pay the JJC Administrative fee at the Service Center; this center is located at J-1002 near the JJC Bookstore and Admissions Department.
• Paper-and-pencil test for students who need special accommodations: $120.00
  • This fee is only for paper-and-pencil testing for those students requiring special accommodations and who have documented evidence.
  • If you are taking the computerized CLEP test, this fee does not apply to you.

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Testing Times and Locations

CLEP Testing is available only at Main Campus. An appointment is necessary; as indicated in the charts below, a student can schedule their appointment to occur Monday-Friday.

No CLEP Testing will occur during JJC Final Exams Week. Please see the current JJC Academic Calendar for these dates.

Main Campus
Directions to Main Campus
Academic Skills Center in J-2013
1215 Houbolt Road
Joliet, IL 60431