Credit by Exam allows students to earn college credit by passing standardized tests like CLEP, DSST, or AP exams rather than taking traditional college courses.
What is Credit by Exam?
Credit by Exam (CBE) is a pathway for earning real college credit by demonstrating subject mastery on a standardized test rather than sitting through a semester-long course. For homeschoolers, this approach pairs naturally with self-directed learning: study at your own pace using your preferred curriculum, then validate your knowledge through an exam. The major CBE options—CLEP, DSST, and AP—are accepted at thousands of colleges and universities, with each exam potentially replacing a 3-credit college course and saving $1,000-$4,000 in tuition.
Key Takeaways
- CLEP offers 34 exams accepted at 2,900+ colleges with 90-minute tests available year-round
- DSST provides 30+ exams including unique subjects like Astronomy and Personal Finance, accepted at 1,900+ institutions
- AP Exams with scores of 4-5 are widely accepted, but testing occurs in May only through a local school
- Each passed exam saves $1,000-$4,000 compared to taking traditional college courses
- Modern States provides free vouchers covering 100% of CLEP exam fees with no limit on how many you can earn
Comparing CLEP, DSST, and AP
How Homeschoolers Use Credit by Exam
The CBE approach aligns beautifully with homeschool flexibility. A student studying U.S. History through their regular curriculum can validate that learning with a CLEP exam, earning both high school credit and college credit simultaneously. Many homeschoolers strategically target CBE opportunities for general education requirements—those foundational courses every degree program requires. By arriving at college with 15-30 credits already completed, students reduce both time to graduation and total educational costs. Some families have documented savings exceeding $20,000 through systematic use of credit-by-exam.
Getting Started with CBE
The Bottom Line
Credit by Exam offers homeschoolers a powerful way to leverage their self-directed learning for tangible college credit. The combination of cost savings, flexible scheduling, and validation of actual knowledge makes CBE particularly attractive for families already emphasizing mastery-based learning. Start by researching your target colleges' CBE policies, then strategically incorporate exam preparation into your high school planning. Modern States' free CLEP vouchers remove the financial barrier entirely, making this pathway accessible to virtually any family.
