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College Level Examination Program

The College Level Examination Program (CLEP) is a group of standardized tests that allow students to earn credit based on knowledge they've acquired through experience or independent study.

CLEP exams are administered by the College Board and Purdue accepts credit based on the table below. Optional CLEP essays are not required to earn credit.


Table of CLEP Credit
CLEP Exam Purdue Course Purdue Semester 
Credit Hours
Required Score
Algebra, College MA 15300 3 50+
American Government POL 10100 3 50+
American Literature ENGL 25000 3 50+
Analyzing and Interpreting Literature (essay not required) ENGL 23100 3 50+
Biology, General BIOL 11000 4 55+
Biology, General BIOL 11000 and 11100 8 70+
Business Law, Introductory MGMT 2XXXX* 3 50+
Calculus, General MA 16010 3 50+
Calculus, General MA 16500 4 60+
Chemistry, General CHM 11100 3 50+
Chemistry, General CHM 11500 4 65+
Chemistry, General CHM 11500 and CHM 11600 8 70+
Composition Modular, College UND 1XXXX* 3 50+
Composition, College UND 1XXXX* 3 50+
English Literature ENGL 1XXXX* 3 50+
Financial Accounting MGMT 20000 3 50+
French FR 10100 3 50-58
French FR 10100 + FR 10200 6 59-63
French FR 10100 + FR 10200 + FR 20100 9 64-68
French FR 10100 + FR 10200 + FR 20100 + FR 20200 12 69+
German GER 10100 3 50-58
German GER 10100 + GER 10200 6 59-63
German GER 10100 + GER 10200 + GER 20100 9 64-68
German GER 10100 + GER 10200 + GER 20100 + GER 20200 12 69+
History of the United States I HIST 15100 3 50+
History of the United States II HIST 15200 3 50+
Human Growth and Development HDFS 21000 3 50+
Humanities UND 1XXXX* 3 50+
Information Systems and Computer Applications CNIT 2XXXX* 3 50+
Macroeconomics ECON 21000 3 50+
Management, Principles of MGMT 1XXXX* 3 45+
Marketing, Principles of MGMT 1XXXX* 3 50+
Mathematics, College MA 1XXXX* 3 50+
Microeconomics ECON 21000 3 50+
Natural Sciences SCI 1XXXX* 3 50+
Precalculus MA 15800 3 50+
Psychology, Introductory PSY 12000 3 50+
Psychology, Educational, Introductory EDPS 49000 3 50+
Social Sciences & History UND 1XXXX* 3 50+
Sociology, Introduction to SOC 10000 3 50+
Spanish SPAN 10100 3 50-58
Spanish with Writing SPAN 10100 3 50-58
Spanish SPAN 10100 + SPAN 10200 6 59-63
Spanish with Writing SPAN 10100 + SPAN 10200 6 59-63
Spanish SPAN 10100 + SPAN 10200 + SPAN 20100 9 64-68
Spanish with Writing SPAN 10100 + SPAN 10200 + SPAN 20100 9 64-68
Spanish SPAN 10100 + SPAN 10200 + SPAN 20100 + SPAN 20200 12 69+
Spanish with Writing SPAN 10100 + SPAN 10200 + SPAN 20100 + SPAN 20200 12 69+
Western Civilization I HIST 10300 3 50+
Western Civilization II HIST 10400 3 50+

*Course numbers listed as "1XXXX" or "2XXXX" transfer as undistributed credit, which means Purdue does not have an equivalent course. Such credit appears on a Purdue student record as credit hours within the respective subject area. You should consult with your Purdue academic advisor to determine how undistributed credit may be used to best meet curriculum requirements within your area of study.

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