Few things are more frustrating while attending college than going through the course selections while preparing for an upcoming term and seeing the words: “Prerequisite: ______”. Some prereqs seem like a waste of time and have nothing to do with a chosen major, others are stepping stones that you may not need if you have a good background in that particular class already. Unfortunately prerequisites are a part of the college experience and are demanded of everyone.

But why waste time, money and energy in a class that really does little to contribute to the end goal of your major or is beneath your current understanding of the course path you have chosen? To be sure anyone can find something relevant and new in any class, but to sit through it for the full term, spend enormous amounts of time studying for tests and doing homework seems hardly worth the effort at times. Don’t you wish you could just get on with the business of studying for those classes that you see as really moving you in the direction of your goal? In situations like these there is a better, quicker way – test out!

Many students know about CLEP tests, but fewer actually take advantage of them. Perhaps it is the fear of not really knowing the details that might be asked on a test. Perhaps it is the concern that the school will throw them a curve on the CLEP test just so they have to sit in the class. The truth is that CLEP tests are not that demanding and with a little preparation are within the means of any student. Yes, some preparation is advised just so that the little used math formula or obscure literary figure can be recalled on the test, but you really do not need a full term of class work to refresh your memories.

Take a lesson from an example that is repeated all too often on college campuses. One student we know took a great deal of time to lay out his course work. Unfortunately when his junior year was about to start he discovered that many of the classes he wanted (had) to take all had prerequisites. Furthermore, the classes he really needed for his major were only offered in fall term and if he had to take the prerequisites he would essentially be sitting around all spring waiting for the fall semester to start. The ability to test out of the prerequisites saved this student an entire year.

Was it hard? According to the student it was a lot easier than he anticipated and it saved him hundreds of dollars in required reading alone – not to mention lost time. How did he do it? A little preparation from an inexpensive study guide was all it took. He passed all of the CLEP tests and entered his junior year right on schedule.