CGS - College of General Studies - University of Pittsburgh

College Level Examination Program (CLEP)

The College Level Examination Program (CLEP) exams are designed to measure what you have learned through informal study, reading, travel, and work, and then equate this knowledge with what students usually learn during the first year of college study. When you earn credits through CLEP exams, you can move directly to more advanced classes. This helps you complete your college education more quickly at a lower overall cost.

In the College of General Studies, you may earn up to half the credits you need to graduate—60 credits of the required 120—by earning a combination of six credits on each of the five general examinations and three to six credits on certain subject examinations. You are required to score at least 50 points or more on each exam you take in order to receive credit from us. Our CLEP information page has more information.

CLEP exams accepted

The chart below lists the CLEP exams (both general and subject exams) that are accepted by the College of General Studies, the minimum score required, and the number of credits and course equivalent received as advanced standing. A key for the College of General Studies requirement fulfilled column is listed below the chart.

*College of General Studies Requirement Fulfilled Key:

College of General Studies Policies for Accepting CLEP Credits

1. You must have graduated from high school at least two years ago or be at least 20 years of age.
2. You may take as many of the CLEP general exams as you wish, from one to five. However, the maximum number you can schedule in one day is four.
3. The CLEP general exams must be taken before you have completed 60 college credits. The 60-credit limit includes courses taken at the University of Pittsburgh, credits taken at another college or university, and other credits received by examination. Credits earned through CLEP general exams may not duplicate credits received from other sources.
4. The CLEP subject exams must be taken before you have completed 90 college credits. The 90-credit limit includes courses taken at the University of Pittsburgh, credits taken at another college or university, and other credits received by examination. Credits earned through CLEP subject exams may not duplicate credits received from other sources.
5. Credits earned by taking Pitt composition courses or their equivalents from another college, will be deducted from the CLEP credits earned through the English composition general exam.
6. When you select a College of General Studies major, you will need to take courses to satisfy requirements for that major, as well as those for specific knowledge and skills. You should plan to take the introductory courses in your major area as well as the other courses specified regardless of credits earned through CLEP.
7. Several other colleges and schools at the University of Pittsburgh accept CLEP credits. However, policies regulating the acceptance of CLEP credits for each school vary. Upon admittance to a different school or college at the University of Pittsburgh, a re-evaluation of your CLEP credits will be done. Click here for more details about CLEP credits accepted at other schools and colleges.
8. A CLEP award may be re-evaluated for students re-admitted to the College of General Studies who were inactive for two full years or more.

What you can expect to see on the exams

The College Board Web site has the most accurate information about the material covered in both the CLEP general exams and the CLEP subject exams. Visit the College Board Web site at www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/clep/exams.html.

How to get started

Step one: It is highly recommended that you meet with your College of General Studies academic advisor before registering for an exam to ensure that the CLEP exam(s) taken will count for degree requirements and will not duplicate course work. To make an appointment with your academic advisor, call the College of General Studies front desk at 412-624-6600.

Step two: To receive more information and a CLEP Registration-Admission Form, call 412-624-9103, or stop in at the University’s Office of Measurement and Evaluation, Room G33, Cathedral of Learning. The Registration-Admission Form also can be downloaded from the College Board Web site at www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/clep/reg.html.

Step three: Mail your completed CLEP Registration-Admission Form along with your test fee and service fee checks to your testing site. See CLEP testing sites below for addresses.

Obtaining your score

Your scores are reported only to you, two weeks after testing. Allow at least seven weeks to receive your score for the general examination in English composition with essay. To have your scores sent to schools, employers, or certifying agencies, an identification code is required. To have your scores sent to the University of Pittsburgh College of General Studies, select University of Pittsburgh College of General Studies (code 2927) on the Internet test site.

Affordable and a great long-term value

The CLEP fee is $77 per test. Make this check payable to the College Level Examination Program. The service fee is $20 per test; make this check payable to your testing site.

How to prepare for a CLEP exam

You may find the following practice guides, which include sample tests, to be helpful as you prepare for an exam. These practice guides may be purchased at most bookstores including the University of Pittsburgh Book Center, 4000 Fifth Avenue, Oakland.

$22.95, CLEP Test Prep
Published by Learning Express

$25, CLEP
Published by Kaplan

In addition, the College Board offers the CLEP Official Study Guide on its Web site for $25 or the individual subject study guides for $10. Visit www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/clep/prep.html. Prices are subject to change.

CLEP testing sites

University of Pittsburgh
Office of Measurement and Evaluation
Room G33, Cathedral of Learning
Pittsburgh, PA 15260
412-624-6134
Test center hours vary, please contact Lisa Votodian to schedule a day and time for your exam.  Contact her at 412-624-6134 or by email at lav14@pitt.edu.

Community College of Allegheny County
Downtown Campus Testing Center
625 Stanwix Street, First Floor
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
412-208-1122
Testing occurs Monday through Friday, 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.; Saturday at 9:30 a.m. or noon.

Duquesne University
University Counseling Center
308 Administration Building
Pittsburgh, PA 15282-0235
412-396-6204

Testing usually occurs on scheduled Mondays through Fridays at 9:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.; Call for a testing appointment; walk-ins are not permitted. Contact www.duq.edu/counseling for more information.

For more information about CLEP registration and costs for CLEP examinations, contact: University of Pittsburgh, Office of Measurement and Evaluation, Room G-33, Cathedral of Learning, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, 412-624-6134.

For more information about CLEP in general, visit the College Board’s Web site, www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/clep/about.html.

This Information is current as of August 2010. Call a College of General Studies academic advisor for the most current information prior to taking any CLEP exam.