CLEP Testing

2008-2009 COLLEGE LEVEL EXAMINATION PROGRAM (CLEP) AND MICRO/MACRO ECONOMICS CREDIT-BY-EXAMINATION (CBE) OPPORTUNITIES AT IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY

You may earn academic credit by taking CLEP computer-based Subject and General exams, as well as the departmental paper-based exams of Macro- and Micro-economics You can now schedule a 2-hour appointment Monday through Friday in Room 2030 Student Services Building (Testing Office). To register, please fill out the attached “CLEP and Micro/Macro Economics CBE Opportunities” form

The following CLEP examinations do not fulfill specific course requirements but will count toward graduation in all colleges except Engineering.

Examination Title                                                         Credit
Humanities (Fine Arts & Literature)                           6 cr.
Natural Sciences (Biological & Physical Sciences)    6 cr.
Social Sciences & History                                           6 cr.

If you’re enrolling in the College of Engineering, please do not take these three CLEP exams.

Common Questions About CLEP Exams and Micro/Macro Economics CBE

Q:  How long is a CLEP or Macro/Micro Economics CBE?
A:  The CLEP exams are 90 minutes with multiple-choice questions to be answered; however, some exams do have fill-ins.  The French and Spanish exams consist of reading and listening skills, and include three separately timed sections. Your total score on the language examinations determines whether credit for one to four semesters is awarded.  The Macro/Micro Economics departmental exams are paper/pencil format and each consists of 100 multiple-choice questions to be answered in 90 minutes.

Q:  Should I take CLEP exams or departmental test-outs?
A:  If you are sure the credits will be accepted in your major, if you have completed advanced studies (such as honors, advanced placement, or a college level course) in a particular subject area, and if you scored above 24 on the ACT, you should consider taking these exams.  Go to http://www.admissions.iastate.edu/cbe/   for more information about credit by exam opportunities at Iowa State University.

Q:  How do I know if the CLEP or departmental test-out credits will be accepted in my major?
A:  Almost all programs at Iowa State accept credit for such CLEP subject area exams as Psych 101, Soc 134 or Pol Sci 215.  Other CLEP and departmental test-out credits, such as Acct. and Econ. are more specialized and may not be accepted as readily.  Only an academic advisor can say with certainty.  If you have doubts, talk with your advisor and refer to the on-line Iowa State University catalog at http://www.iastate.edu/%7Ecatalog/ before you register for the tests.

Q:  What about the CLEP General exams?  Will those credits be accepted in my program?
A:  These credits can be used as electives in all colleges except Engineering, and they’ll meet general course requirements in all colleges except Engineering and Liberal Arts and Sciences.  If you have any uncertainty, please check with your department before registering for the examinations.

Q:  How do I prepare for the CLEP exams?
A:  Visit the CLEP PREP CENTER on the College Board Web site (http://www.collegeboard.com/clep) for useful tips on assessing your readiness and preparing for any of CLEP's exams.  Also in the CLEP PREP CENTER are individual subject study guides which can be downloaded for $10 apiece and the CLEP Sampler which can be downloaded free of charge.  Prices subject to change.

Q:  What is the cost of the exam?
A:  The total cost is $100, consisting of two separate payments.  A $70 exam fee is payable by check, money order or credit card.  In addition, a $30 administrative fee is payable by u-bill, check, money order or cash.  All fees are non-refundable and subject to change.

Q:  What is a passing score on CLEP exams at ISU?
A:  You will need a score equivalent to a B grade (for French/Spanish information for passing scores, go to:  http://www.iastate.edu/~stdtcouns/TestServicesMain2.html and select Testing Services/Spanish and French CLEP).

      In order to reach the total score you see on your score report, two calculations are performed.

      First, your “raw score” is calculated.  This is the number of questions you answer correctly.  Your raw score increases by one point for each question answered correctly, and no points are gained or lost when a questions is not answered or is answered incorrectly.

Second, your raw score is converted into a “scaled score” by a statistical process called equating.  Equating maintains the consistency of standards for test scores over time by adjusting for slight differences in difficulty between test forms.  This ensures that your score does not depend on the specific test form you took or how well others did on the same form.  Your raw score is converted to a scaled score that ranges from 20, the lowest, to 80, the highest.  The final scaled score is the score that appears on your score report.

Q:  What happens when I return my registration form for the CLEP exams or Micro/Macro Economics CBE?
A:  Upon completion/return of form you may schedule a two hour appointment by: 1) coming to the Testing Office, Rm 2030 Student Services Building, or 2) emailing scsclep@iastate.edu, or 3) calling 515-294-0178.  Bring two photo ID’s to the exam.

Q:  How soon will I receive my results?
A:  You will receive your official candidate score report upon completion of the exam.  Your scores are reported only to you, unless you ask to have them sent elsewhere.  If you want your scores sent to Iowa State University, you must select this option through the examination software.  This service is free of charge only if you select your score recipient at the time you test.  A $20 fee will be charged for each score recipient you select at a later date.  For the macro/Micro Economics exams, you will receive your score the next day.  All passing scores for both CLEP and Macro/Micro Economics will then be sent to the Registrar’s office, and a “Test Out” grade for the designated credit will usually be posted on your transcript at the end of the semester in which you took the exam.

CLEP EXAM DESCRIPTIONS
(Complete descriptions are available at http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/clep/exams.html )

Humanities tests general knowledge of literature, art, and music and other performing arts, with questions on all periods from classical to contemporary and in many different fields:  poetry, prose, philosophy, art, architecture, music, dance, theater, and film. The examination requires candidates to demonstrate their understanding of the humanities through recollection of specific information, comprehension and application of concepts, and analysis and interpretation of various works of art.

Natural Sciences covers a wide range of topics frequently taught in introductory courses surveying both biological and physical sciences at the freshman or sophomore level.  It emphasizes the knowledge and application of the basic principles and concepts of science, the comprehension of scientific information, and the understanding of issues of science in contemporary society.

Social Sciences and History covers a wide range of topics from the social sciences and history disciplines.  The content is drawn from introductory college courses that cover United States history, Western civilization, world history, government/political science, geography, sociology, economics, psychology and anthropology.

Financial Accounting assesses student mastery of the skills and concepts required for success in a first-semester financial accounting course. 

American Government covers material that is usually taught in a college level one-semester introductory course in American government and politics, with emphasis on national government.  Topics include the institutions and policy processes of the federal government, the federal courts and civil liberties, political parties and interest groups, political beliefs and behavior, and the content and history of the Constitution.

Biology covers material that is usually taught in a one-year college general biology course, and covers three major areas:  molecular and cellular biology, organismal biology, and populational biology.
 
French and Spanish` cover language skills usually learned from the end of the first semester through the second year of college study.  They include two Listening sections totaling 30 minutes and one 60 minute Reading section.

Calculus covers skills and concepts usually taught in a one-semester college calculus course, with the content of each examination approximately 60% limits and differential calculus and 40% integral calculus.  Algebraic, trigonometric, exponential, logarithmic, and general functions are included.

Principles of Macroeconomics – includes introduction to resource allocation; national income and fiscal policy; money, banking and monetary policy; macroeconomic problems and monetary policies; international economics and domestic economic polisy. This is a departmental multiple choice, paper-based exam. Calculators are permitted.

Principles of Microeconomics – includes the nature of economics; supply and demand; consumption, production, and cost; markets and pricing; the distribution of income; and international economics, gains from trade, and trade policy. This is a departmental multiple choice, paper-based exam. Calculators are permitted.

Introductory Psychology covers material that is usually taught in a one-semester undergraduate course in introductory psychology.  It stresses basic facts, concepts, and generally accepted principles in 13 areas.

Introductory Sociology assesses an individual’s knowledge of the material typically presented in a one-semester college level introductory sociology course.  It emphasizes basic facts and concepts as well as general theoretical approaches used by sociologists.

QUESTIONS?  CONTACT:  Student Counseling Service, Testing Office, Room 2030 Student Services Building, Iowa State University, Ames IA, 50011 (515) 294-0178 or scsclep@iastate.edu.

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