How Military Personnel Can Benefit from CLEP Exams

Many military personnel dream of one day earning a college degree. However, with day-to-day job duties and lengthy deployments, many of men and women in the U.S. military are unable to make this dream become reality. CLEP (College Level Examination Program) exams allow military personnel to earn college credits toward general education course requirements by taking computerized examinations. Although many military serviceman and women may not have time to attend a traditional or online college course, they can often find time to prepare for a CLEP exam, a process that may only require studying for a few weeks. CLEP tests are a wonderful resource for those in the military who are interested in doing their undergraduate work or who plan to go after a degree in the future. 

What is so convenient about CLEP tests is that these exams are flexible enough for the tight schedules that military personnel often have throughout their careers. A CLEP exam allows these men and women to be able to start earning important credits needed to achieve their degrees. Even if the person who wants to take the tests doesn't have much background on a particular subject, he or she can easily prepare for a CLEP exams within just a few weeks. Because numerous CLEP study resources are available online, military personnel who are deployed to foreign countries can study as long as they have Internet access. Online study resources allow these personnel to study at their own pace and not worry about hauling bulky textbook or study guides around the world.

One of the most valuable aspects of CLEP for military personnel is the ability to take these exams for free. The government allows eligible active duty and reserve status military personnel to take CLEP exams for free using the DANTES-funded CLEP program. Another benefit of CLEP for military personnel is the option of taking these exams on many military bases both in the U.S. and abroad. Military personnel may also opt to take CLEP tests on college campuses in the U.S.; however, a small administration fee applies when military personnel take their CLEP exams on college campuses.

CLEP test are beneficial to military personnel because they enable people to obtain their undergraduate degree in a cost-effective manner. Rather than spending money on tedious coursework that takes months to complete, personnel can simply take one CLEP exam and receive credits toward a general education course required for their current or future degree. Several colleges and universities allow students to gain a large number of their general education requirements through CLEP exams and then attend traditional or online classes to complete the remaining courses. The time and money saved can allow the military serviceman to focus attention and energy on work, family, leisure, and community pursuits.

Educational Service Officers (ESOs) can provide a wide array of information for military personnel regarding how, where, and when to take CLEP exams as well as offer guidance for study tips and how to best use CLEP in the pursuit of educational goals. With so much to be gained and so little to lose, military personnel should schedule an appointment with their ESO to learn how they, too, can benefit from CLEP.