On Exam Day
What you can expect when you walk into the test center
What to bring to the test center
Be sure to bring the following items with you:
- Your completed Registration-Administration Form. Be sure to check with your test center administrator prior to the day of the exam to be sure you are using the correct form.
- Personal identification. You will be asked to show two forms of personal identification in order to be admitted. The primary form of identification must be a government-issued photo ID card that bears your signature, such as a passport, state-issued driver's license, or state-issued ID card. The secondary form of identification must have a photo and/or signature, such as a Social Security card, military ID, student ID, credit card, or employee ID. All funded military candidates must present a current military ID.
- The fee for each exam is $65. You may pay by credit card (preferred payment method), or check or money order made out to CLEP on the day of the exam. Credit cards accepted are: VISA, MasterCard, American Express. Your test center may also require a separate nonrefundable service fee of $15; contact the test center about payment.
- Your glasses if you need them for reading.
What NOT to bring to the test center
Please refrain from bringing the following items with you to the test center.
- Books, papers, and notes
- Pagers, cell phones, PDAs, watches that beep
- A calculator — If a calculator is required/permitted, it is built into the test and will be available to you on the computer. The CLEP Sampler, as well as the pre-test tutorials, will show you how to use this feature.
When you enter the test room
Here's what you need to do before you begin the exam.
Request special accommodations.
If you have special needs, be sure to communicate them before testing begins. You'll be assigned a seat, but the test center administrator can usually accommodate special needs if you have any. For example, if you're left-handed, ask to be assigned a seat with a left-handed writing board, if possible.
Read directions and listen to instructions carefully.
If you don't understand the directions, ask for help before test timing begins. If you must ask a question after testing has begun, raise your hand and a proctor will assist you. The proctor can answer certain kinds of questions but cannot help you with the exam.
Take the pre-test tutorial.
Even if you have used the CLEP Sampler (.zip/9.6MB; PC only; you will need a compression utility such as WinZip), this will help you be familiar with the test format just prior to taking the exam.
Know your rights as a test taker.
You can expect to be given the full working time allowed for taking the exam and a reasonably quiet and comfortable place in which to work. If a poor test situation is preventing you from doing your best, ask if the situation can be remedied. If bad test conditions can't be remedied, ask the person in charge to report the problem in the Irregularity Report.
You may also wish to immediately write a letter to CLEP, P.O. Box 6601, and Princeton, NJ 08541-6601. Describe the exact circumstances as completely as you can. Be sure to include the name of the test center, the test date, and the name(s) of the exam(s) you took. We will investigate the problem to make sure it does not happen again, and, if the problem is serious enough, may arrange for you to retake the exam without charge.
For more advice, go to Multiple-Choice Tips.
