College-Level Examination Program (CLEP)

The CLEP exam:  

• Is computer-based
• Lasts approximately 90-120 minutes
• Typically includes multiple-choice questions; may also have questions that are long-answer or essays.
• Provides points for correct answers and does not deduct for wrong ones.
• Maybe retaken, but you must wait three months before you can register.  

How do I get credit for CLEP?

When you take a CLEP exam, you can select the institution that should receive your scores. An official score report will automatically be forwarded to the school. You will also receive an unofficial copy of your score for your records immediately after the examination (except for Composition). If you do not indicate where you would like your score sent when you register, you can always request a transcript later for a fee. Just submit the Transcript Request Form — it’s available on the CLEP website, CLEP Scores – CLEP | College Board.

Macomb Community College awards credit for successful scores on 32 CLEP exams. Each college, however, reserves the right to set its own credit granting policy, so how much credit you receive for each CLEP exam varies by institution.

Macomb’s Credit Granting Scores

There is no limit to the number of CLEP examination credit hours that be earned at Macomb, however, for degree issuance, fifteen (15) credit hours must be earned through Macomb.

In addition, students may not repeat an exam within three months of the testing date. CLEP exams repeated earlier than three months will be canceled and your test fees will be forfeited. Macomb’s CLEP Credit Granting Policy is subject to change without prior notice.

For CLEP exams completed before July 1, 2001, contact the Enrollment Office for Equivalency Information.

The following table lists the exams for which credit is granted, the required score, and the equivalent course for which you would receive credit. Macomb Community College CLEP Credit Granting Policy is subject to change without prior notice.

Eligible veterans can receive full reimbursement for the CLEP exam and administration fees from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. More information about benefits available to veterans can be found on the CLEP website. Military personnel must present military ID. Retesting is no longer funded. However, service members may personally fund a retest after waiting six months.

The U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs only covers the first exam you take (per subject); however, service members can personally fund a retest after three months. Learn more about by visiting DANTES-funded CLEP testing.

Although Macomb charges proctoring fees, the examination fee is administered by CLEP. The cost ranges between $90 and $100 per exam.  For the most up-to-date information on exam fees, refer to CLEP’s website.

Macomb Community College's South Campus is a national and military-friendly CLEP testing site that administers all CLEP exams, EXCEPT optional essays for American Literature, Analyzing & Interpreting Literature, College Composition Modular and English Literature.

Any individual, including military personnel, who properly registers may take the CLEP examination at Macomb — enrollment at the college is not required. To register:

1. Create an account or log in to the College Board's registration portal.
2. Find out the recipient code number for the institutions you want to send your scores to using the College Board's Institution Policy database to find the numbers. (Macomb Community College's recipient code number: 1722)
3. Schedule an examination appointment with Macomb's Testing Center at 586.445.7400. Seating is limited, so we encourage you to register early.
4. Pay Macomb's nonrefundable administration fee of per CLEP exam (subject to change). The Testing Center accepts payment via debit, credit, or MacombOne card on the payment portal.

Note: Miliary funded-CLEP candidates are not required to pay the administration fee.  To learn more, please visit the CLEP for military personnel section of this webpage.

Report to Macomb Community College's South Campus J Building, Room 305-8 at your scheduled appointment time. South Campus is located at: 14500 E. Twelve Mile Rd., Warren, MI 48033

Students must bring the following on the date of their test:

• The CLEP Voucher (registration ticket)
• Receipt for Macomb $25 test administration fee (paid through Acceptiva).
• A government-issued photo identification with test taker’s full name (exactly as it appears on the registration ticket), signature and recent, recognizable photo. Examples of acceptable forms of ID include: Driver’s license, State ID, Military ID or passport. If the student is a minor, then the College Board Student ID Form must be used and notarized. Note: Student/college ID cards are not acceptable forms of identification.

Cell phones, calculators, PDAs of any kind, beepers, alarm watches, books, papers, and food are not allowed in the testing room. A calculator is provided if your exam permits you to use one.

Candidates with disabilities who require accommodations must make arrangements well in advance of the test date at 586.445.7400 or testing@macomb.edu.

There are numerous study guides available for you in order to help you prepare for the exam.  Various versions of the CLEP Official Study Guide are available for loan at the South and Center campus libraries.

The CLEP Sampler is available for download.

Individuals who indicate, at the time of registration, which college, employer, or certifying agency that they want to receive their CLEP test scores will incur no additional cost — the exam fee covers one transcript.

Contact CLEP if you did not indicate a score recipient institution at the time of your exam and you want to order a CLEP Transcript. The transcript will include all CLEP exams taken and the scores you earned in the last 20 years. The current fee is $20 per transcript. The current fee for Military personnel is $30 per transcript.

Score Reports and Transcripts

Macomb Community College cannot provide CLEP transcripts. Should you request that Macomb receive a copy of your CLEP test scores, the Enrollment Office will evaluate if you received a credit granting score and adjust your Macomb transcript accordingly.