Southwest Tech acknowledges students bring valuable experiences to college, often gaining knowledge that matches or even surpasses classroom learning. A student has the option to test out of courses in which he/she feels the learning was achieved before coming to Southwest Tech.

CLEP Test

College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) test is an assessment test developed by the College Board. In order for Southwest Tech to award credit for the course, a score of 50 must be achieved on the test, unless otherwise noted. The following tests are accepted for credit at Southwest Tech.

  • Business
  • CLEP Exam Course # Course Name Credits Issued
    Financial Accounting 10-101-111 Accounting 1 3
    Principles of Macroeconomics 20-809-211 Principles of Macroeconomics 3
    Introductory Business Law 10-102-109 Business Law 1 3
    Principles of Management 10-102-130 Management Principles 3
    Principles of Marketing 10-104-130 Marketing Principles 3
    Principles of Microeconomics 10-809-143 Principles of Microeconomics 3
  • History/Government
  • CLEP Exam Course # Course Name Credits Issued
    American Government 10-code Course American Government 3
    History of the United States I 20-803-211 American History 1607 - 1865 3
    History of the United States II 20-801-212 American History 3
    Social Sciences and History 20-803-211 American History 6
    Western Civilization I 3
    Western Civilization II 3
  • Science
  • CLEP Exam Course # Course Name Credits Issued
    Biology 20-806-234 General Biology 3
    Chemistry 10-806-109 or
    20-806-209    		 Fundamentals of Chemistry or
    College Chemistry 1    		 6
    Natural Sciences 6
  • Mathematics
  • CLEP Exam Course # Course Name Credits Issued
    Calculus Any 3 Credits of Math 4
    College Algebra 10-834-110 College Algebra 3
    College Mathematics 10-804-107 or
    31-804-305 or
    10-804-113    		 College Mathematics 3
    Precalculus 10-804-114 or
    20-804-229    		 College Technical Math 1B or
    Math Analysis    		 4
  • Foreign Language
  • CLEP Exam Course # Course Name Credits Issued
    French Language 9
    German Language 6
    Spanish Language College Mathematics 6
    Spanish Language with Writing 6
  • Social Science
  • CLEP Exam Course # Course Name Credits Issued
    Human Growth and Development 10-809-188 Developmental Psychology 3
    Introduction to Educational Psychology 3
    Introductory Psychology 10-809-198 Intro to Psychology 3
    Introductory Sociology 10-809-196 Intro to Sociology 3
    Humanities 3
  • Computer Science
  • CLEP Exam Course # Course Name Credits Issued
    Information Systems 3

Other CLEP tests are available and will be accepted as elective credits to a program. Please see the Prior Learning tab on your program page for more information on what is available for credit for prior learning in your program.

Registering For CLEP

To register for a CLEP test, visit https://clep.collegeboard.org/clep-exams and click on the exam you wish to take. If you scroll down, the topics covered on the CLEP are listed. At the top of the page, there is a link to purchase the test. Once you have purchased the test, call the Southwest Tech Testing Center  (608-822-2313)  to reserve a time to test. There is an additional charge of $20 per test to test in the Testing Center.

Available CLEP testing dates for 2025:

  • January 17, 2025
  • March 21, 2025
  • June 12, 2025
  • August 15, 2025
  • November 21, 2025

Preparing For CLEP

On the same page you order the testing, there is an option to purchase study guides. We recommend you use https://modernstates.org/. This site offers free courses to prep for the CLEP test.

Modern States will cover the CLEP testing fee for students who complete the Modern States prep course for that test.

Requesting Disability Accommodations

If you have a learning or physical disability that would prevent you from taking a CLEP exam under standard conditions, you may request accommodations. Please email disabilityservices@swtc.edu or call (608-822-2632) to request accommodations prior to registering for your exam.

Other Nationally Accredited Exams

Other nationally accredited exams are also accepted. If a student has documentation of an acceptable test score (transcript/report) for a nationally accredited exam, the student will submit it to Student Services. Potential exams include Advanced Placement (AP) with a score of 3 or higher, GED test score of 175 or higher, DSST (formally known as DANTES), or Excelsior exams. For other national exams, scores will be reviewed to determine if the score is acceptable. Southwest Tech will also accept CLEP test results taken at another testing center with the official transcript.