FAQs: CLEP and AP Exams

CLEP and AP exams, administered by the College Board, not only earn college credit, they also validate your high school transcript and demonstrate your ability to complete college-level work. A passing score on these exams can boost applications in the college admissions and scholarship selection process.

Therefore, after taking each course listed below, Dr. Shormann's recommends taking the corresponding  CLEP/AP Prep Course and the CLEP or AP exam.  We do not recommend taking the prep course during the course. If taking an AP exam, take the CLEP exam within a week or so, in case you don't pass the AP. 
 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

When should I start the CLEP Professor for CLEP & AP course?

While it is best to start as soon as possible after finishing the corresponding high school course, it is important that the student first complete all the lessons in  the High School course. For example, if your student is taking Shormann Algebra 2, they should complete all the lessons in that course before starting the College Algebra prep course. 

Why Take a CLEP or AP Exam?
 

A passing score on a CLEP or AP exam can:

• Earn up to 8 college credits
• Make students stand out in the admissions and scholarship selection process
• Develop college-level study skills
• Both CLEP and AP exams validate the home school transcript and demonstrate readiness for college admissions and scholarship committees. However, according to the College Board, a passing score on the AP Calculus exam is the number one indicator of college success.
• Learn More: Advanced  Placement FAQs

What are CLEP Exams?
CLEP exams are administered by the College Board and accepted by over 2900 colleges and universities nationwide, allowing students to earn college credit by passing an exam instead of taking the college course.

What are AP Exams?
Advanced Placement (AP) exams are also administered by the College Board and accepted by over 2900 colleges and universities nationwide, allowing students to earn college credit by passing an exam instead of taking the college course. Advanced Placement FAQs

What is the difference between CLEP and AP exams?
CLEP exams are 90-minute computed-based, multiple-choice exams. AP exams have a 90-minute multiple-choice section and a 90-minute free response (handwritten) section. Because they are more rigorous, AP exams are more widely accepted than CLEP exams.

When and where can I take CLEP and AP exams?

• AP exams are administered once a year, in early May at your local high school. Contact the College Board in November to find a school near you and register with that school. See AP Registration here: Advanced Placement FAQs
   
• CLEP exams can be taken anytime at your local community college or university testing center. Register here: College Board

Which exams will my college accept?
Most colleges post the CLEP and AP exams they accept on their website. However, since most students don't know which college they will attend until their senior year, we recommend taking the CLEP or AP exam after completing each corresponding high school course. Good scores on these exams validate your transcript and make your college admissions and scholarship applications more competitive. Learn more about CLEP and AP exams here: CLEP/ AP Prep

What prep courses are available?
See the chart on this page: CLEP / AP Courses

• Is CLEP Professor included with my course?
   
• My student completed Apologia Biology (without DIVE). Can he take the AP Biology exam?
   
• If Apologia  Biology and Human Body were completed, without the DIVE Biology course, can the student take CLEP Professor Biology?
   
• The first two lessons in CLEP Professor Biology are about chemistry. Is that correct?
   
• Updates to the 2025 AP Physics Exams
   
• College Board Updated AP Physics course and exam descriptions for 2019-2020

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