Home > Education Programs > Get College Credit For What You Know > College Credit by Examination

College Credit By Examination (CLEP & DSST)

Get College Credit for What You Know

LOOKING FOR YOUR TRANSCRIPTS?

CCAF Students: If your CLEP/DSST scores are not reflecting on your CCAF education record (WebPR) and it has been more than two weeks since you received a passing score, please have your local CCAF advisor in your education office (FDO/BETM for ANG) submit an action request (968) with a copy of your score report and Full Name, Exam (CLEP or DSST), Title of Exam, and Date exam was taken.

Other Transcript Inquiries: If you are missing test scores on your Joint Services Transcript (JST) or other transcription/score reporting services, please send your inquiry to DANTES_PLA@navy.mil with Full Name, Exam (CLEP or DSST), Title of Exam, and Date exam was taken.

CLEP
DSST

Program Overview

The College-Level Examination Program^® (CLEP) offers you the opportunity to earn college credit for what you already know by taking any of the 33 introductory-level college subject exams. Because the exams are funded by DANTES, you could save hundreds or even thousands of dollars towards your degree.

Exam Subjects

The following CLEP exams are available:

Business

Financial Accounting
Information Systems
Introductory Business Law
Principles of Management
Principles of Marketing

Composition & Literature

American Literature
Analyzing and Interpreting Literature
College Composition
College Composition Modular
English Literature
Humanities

Foreign Languages

French Language: Levels 1 and 2
German Language: Levels 1 and 2
Spanish Language: Levels 1 and 2

History & Social Sciences

American Government
History of the United States I: Early Colonization to 1877
History of the United States II: 1865 to the Present
Human Growth and Development
Introduction to Educational Psychology
Introductory Psychology
Introductory Sociology
Principles of Macroeconomics
Principles of Microeconomics
Social Sciences and History
Western Civilization I: Ancient Near East to 1648
Western Civilization II: 1648 to the Present

Science & Mathematics

Biology
Calculus
Chemistry
College Algebra
College Mathematics
Natural Sciences
Precalculus

Student Benefits

DANTES sponsors CLEP and DSST exams that test the level of knowledge gained through previous experiences. Both the CLEP and DSST exams are comparable to final undergraduate college course exams. Taking and passing these exams enables Service members to gain college credit* that can be applied to meet degree requirements.

Multiple exams are available, covering material commonly required for most degree programs. These exams can be taken at on-base and community National/International Test Centers.

*College credit recommendations for these exams are made through the American Council on Education (ACE) and are subject to the acceptance of individual academic institutions.

Earns college credit for prior knowledge
Reduces course completion time; the average exam takes only a few hours vs. 8-15 weeks in-classroom attendance
Decreases time to complete your degree; reduces the number of courses taken to complete a degree
Saves money; DANTES funds one attempt per exam title for eligible examinees
Avoids tuition assistance (TA) costs for courses replaced by credit earned through testing
Exam scores are included on a Service member’s Joint Services Transcript (JST)
Free test prep and study materials are provided online, via mobile apps, and at installation libraries and educatino centers
Know your score instantly for most exams

Program Eligibility

Service Members: Military personnel, to include active duty, Guard and Reserve components, U.S. Coast Guard, and USCG Reserve members must have and maintain a valid government-issued Common Access Card (CAC) to be eligible for DANTES funding.
U.S. Coast Guard Spouses: Spouses of active duty and Reserve Coast Guard members must have and maintain the Uniformed Services Identification and Privilege Card, DD Form 1173 to be eligible for DANTES funding.
Air Force Civil Service employees: Non-contract US Air Force civilian employees are eligible for DANTES-sponsored CLEP testing, but must test at on-base or fully-funded test centers.

Personnel not funded by DANTES

Inactive Guard, Inactive Reserve, and Coast Guard Auxiliary
Military Retirees
Separated/Discharged Veterans
DoD Acquisition Workforce Personnel
Spouses, Dependents, and Civil Service employees of active duty Army, Marine Corps, Navy, and Air Force
Spouses, Dependents, and Civil Service employees of National Guard and Reserve components
Employees of the Coast Guard and Coast Guard Reserve

Costs for Test Fees

DANTES provides upfront funding of CLEP test fees, for the first attempt on all exam titles, for eligible military members. Military members who retest should use the civilian test registration procedures to pay for test costs. DANTES does not pay for retesting.

Retest Policy

Retests are not funded by DANTES. If military test takers want to retake an exam previously funded by DANTES, a three-month wait and self-payment of the current exam fee and administrative fees are required by the test center.

Locate a Test Center

There are two types of test centers:

Fully-Funded: Test centers may be located on or off base. DANTES funds the administration and test fees for service members.
Test Fee Only: Test centers are off-base colleges and universities that provide testing. DANTES funds the test fee. Service members are responsible for paying the administration fee. Fees vary by institution.

To find a national or international CLEP Test Center near you, visit https://clep.collegeboard.org/test-center-search

Prep for the CLEP

Free College Board CLEP Study Material
Upon registration, military members will receive a free eGuide. Create a My CLEP account at https://clep.collegeboard.org/earn-college-credit/military-benefits. eGuides are also available without registering for an exam.

Modern States
Modern States Education Alliance is a non-profit organization dedicated to making a high quality college education free of cost and accessible to any person who wants one. College Board and Modern States have partnered to help service members prepare for a successful testing experience. Visit their website for more information.

Watch this video: Passing the CLEP and Learning with Modern States

FY21 CLEP Military Pass Rates

The past fiscal year military pass rates are available. Review these pass rates with an education counselor or academic advisor to help you decide which exams will best satisfy your degree requirements.

FY21 CLEP Mil Pass Rates

FY21 Top 10 CLEP Mil Pass Rates

Request Your Transcripts

Scores for all DANTES-funded CLEP exams are automatically reported to the Joint Services Transcript (JST). Air Force scores are also reported to the Community College of the Air Force (CCAF), AFAEMS, and the Air Force Virtual Education Center (AFVEC) website.

A no-cost score report is delivered to two institutions of choice, if designated during online registration using the institution(s)’ four-digit institution code(s).

Service members can also pay for a consolidated transcript that includes CLEP and DSST exams using the online transcript ordering service.

To Use the Online Transcript Service:

Register for or login to your existing account
Select your documents
Input your order details
Submit/pay for your transcript
Track your order

GET STARTED WITH CLEP

Getting started with CLEP, College Level Examination Program, is easy, just follow these steps:

STEP 1: VISIT THE WEBSITE

VISIT COLLEGE BOARD

Previous Next

Program Overview

DSST exams are college subject tests that you can take to earn college credit for knowledge you acquired outside of a traditional classroom. There are 38 subject exams from which to select in disciplines such as Business, Humanities, Mathematics, Physical Science, and more. Because the exams are funded by DANTES, you could save hundreds or even thousands of dollars towards your degree.