One way to shorten the length of your college program and reduce your tuition costs is by successfully taking CLEP tests. The College Board, which is the controlling authority for the tests, maintains test scores for a period of 10 years from the date of completion, so these tests can be taken before of after you gain admittance to a program. Check with your institution for their specific policy regarding CLEP tests.

I passed three CLEP tests which reduced my program requirements by 15 credit hours. This was equivalent to five classes in the program I pursued. The specific tests that I took were the Social Sciences and History, Natural Sciences, and American Literature tests. These tests are each worth six semester credit hours but I only needed three credits in science so my total was 15. The credits from the tests showed up as transfer credits on my transcript.

Depending on the test you take, there are many ways to prepare for the CLEP tests. These tests are designed to validate your background knowledge on the subject at the freshman or sophomore college levels. They demonstrate the knowledge obtained in introductory classes. You do not need to ace the tests; you receive no extra credit for a high grade. Check with your institution for the grade requirements for the credits to be accepted.

I took the CLEP tests in the final year of my program and I studied rather intensively for the tests. This was like adding an extra course to my class load, but the results were well worth the effort. My preparation for the tests combined online sources with some key textbooks that I picked up at a local bookstore. Check the College Board descriptions page for the specific test and you will find suggested preparation resources. There are also practice tests available for most of the tests. Peterson's tests are fairly close to the actual exams so if you pass the Peterson's tests you should have a good chance at passing the real thing.

I am mainly familiar with the Social Science and History, Physical Science, and American Literature tests. The science tests were actually easier to prepare for because there seem to be more resources available to prepare for these tests. The hardest test to prepare for was the American Literature test. I used the

Norton Anthology of American Literature quite extensively. This very inclusive reference defines the literary movements and includes quizzes for each section. I also made frequent trips to the library to research specific authors and poetry, which is one of my shortcomings.