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Benjamin Franklin once said “An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.” Although education can be pricey, it’s one of the few things in life that pays for itself, over and over, through the years.
Once you learn a new skill or train of thought, it stays with you forever. And learning doesn’t stop there. Once you know better, you do better. This explains why education is an amazing circle. You know better, you do better. You learn more, you’re more open to new ideas and thoughts. The circle just keeps going.
As homeschoolers, we know the cost of education is worth every sacrifice and high-quality book. But once kids graduate, the cost of education skyrockets. Many families think they can’t save money on college but they are wrong.
There are several ways to save money on college but the most simple and cost effective is by using CLEP testing. In fact, homeschoolers & CLEP testing go hand-in-hand like peanut butter and jelly. Like sweet tea and Doritos. Beyoncé and Jay-Z. Dave Ramsey and budgeting. Like homeschoolers and denim jumpers. I think you get the picture. 😉
This post is sponsored by Study.com. I received the product for free and was compensated for my time.
What is CLEP TESTING?
- CLEP stands for College Level Examination Process.
- Students can earn full or partial college credits based on what they know.
- CLEP tests are administered via a computer and take about 90 minutes to complete.
- Each CLEP test costs about $100.
- Tests are pass or fail, so you either earn college credit or you do not.
- Once a test has been failed, you must wait at least 3 months to retake the test.
- Most questions are multiple choice but there are some essay questions, depending on which tests you are taking.
- You can use a program like Study.com to help prepare you for any of the CLEP tests you choose.
Why are homeschoolers & CLEP testing such a good fit?
Resourceful and Self Motivated:
It’s no secret that homeschoolers are experts at using resources to help them achieve exactly what they need. From a young age, homeschoolers use books, games and videos to help them truly understand the content they’re covering. As teens, they use tried and true resources, like those from Study.com.
Self-Directed Study:
Homeschoolers tend to think outside of the box more than traditional students. They also take their education into their own hands, deciding exactly what they want to study, for how long and with extreme purpose.
Save Money on College:
College expenses are skyrocketing more and more each year. With graduates being faced with upwards of a hundred thousand dollars in student loans, they need to find a way to lessen the burden. There’s no reason to spend the rest of your life paying back excessive loans.
I had to pick my jaw up off the floor when I saw this graphic on Study.com:
Save Time:
There’s no point in spending hours upon hours covering material you already know. CLEP testing allows you to save time by testing out of the subjects you already know.
Focus on Subjects You Need:
There’s no point in spending precious time and money sitting in a class that teaches stuff you already know. Instead, direct your energy and time to classes that aren’t your strong suit. Spend the extra time and money ensuring success where you need it most.
Tips for Homeschoolers & CLEP Testing
Who’s Eligible?
There is no age requirement so you can begin taking the CLEP test as soon as you’re ready. Many families choose to start early on in high school, testing out of subjects as they cover it in their homeschool. Our plan is to do at least three CLEP tests each year of high school. With that goal, we should be able to knock out several college credits before they even graduate high school.
Where Can I Take the Test?
CLEP tests are administered via Internet-Based Training platforms. There are nearly 2,000 colleges and universities across the United States that offer this service. You can easily find the nearest testing centers using a quick Google search.
How Should I Prepare?
When there are thousands of dollars up in the air, it only makes sense to invest in quality materials that will help you do your very best. We searched high and low before deciding that for the best results, we needed to use Study.com. With over 25,000 lessons, courses and videos, Study.com covered all of our bases. You can learn the material through quick and fact-filled videos, then test your knowledge and weaknesses. Keep watching videos, using the study guides and taking practice tests until you’re confident in your knowledge.
Make it Count
If you’re anything like me, letting go of your hard earned cash can be stressful. You want to be sure you’re investing your money in a product or service that will help you see the growth you need. Study.com allows you to focus on hundreds of topics at a time. There’s no need to master one subject before learning another! You can work on as many subjects as you need! There’s no limit. With Study.com, you can make your time and money work for you!
