CLEP study guides: the official materials, free and paid

Free from College Board

One thing to know: the free sample questions don’t explain the answers. Use them to check your level, then study the topics you got wrong.

• The exam page for each subject, with the number of questions, time and content breakdown
• A resource guide and sample questions PDF for each subject
• Information for Test Takers, a bulletin on registration, scores and test-taking tips
• Study resources by exam, with free outside courses and websites for each subject

Paid official guides

The CLEP e-guides are downloadable PDFs, one per subject. Each has practice questions, the exam description, tips and information on earning credit. You can buy them from the College Board Store, or add one when you register. They’re refundable within 7 days.

The CLEP Official Study Guide puts many subjects together in one book, which can be the better buy if you’re taking several exams. We couldn’t confirm the current edition’s price or exactly which exams it covers, so check the store listing first.

The Official CLEP Exam Guide App has the same questions as the e-guides, plus tools that show your weak spots. It’s free to download, with each subject $14.99 in the app.

The Spanish exam

Spanish is one of the most searched CLEP subjects. Spanish Language has three timed sections: two listening sections worth 40% together, and reading worth 60%. So practice listening as much as reading. ACE recommends 6 credits at a 50 and 9 at a 63. If you can write well in Spanish too, look at Spanish with Writing, which adds a writing section.

Watch out for unofficial guides

Plenty of third-party books and sites sell CLEP prep. Some are good, but they aren’t checked by College Board, and their practice scores won’t match the 20 to 80 scale exactly. College Board has a page on warning signs to look for before you pay.