People often refer to published pass rates to get a sense of how hard or easy an exam is. While I do think there is something to that perspective, I like to take those rates and regroup them by high school subjects. This ranking system allows you to find the best CLEP for your teen’s high school requirement.
The Spanish Language CLEP has held the position of overall “highest pass rates” for years, but that doesn’t mean every student starting from scratch is more likely to pass the Spanish than College Math! The Spanish pass rate probably more accurately represents the large number of bilingual people we have in this country and the prevalence of colleges using Foreign Language CLEP exams as placement tests rather than the “easiness” of that specific exam relative to other subjects.
In other words, your teen’s interest level, experience in the subject, and motivation to prepare for the exam are all significant factors in their own pass rate.
Foreign Language
Civilian Pass Rate (2017)
Military Pass Rate (2019)
Spanish Language
91%
84%
French Language
78%
69%
German Language
72%
57%
Some college admissions requirements are looking for 2 years of high school foreign language. It is reasonable to attempt a CLEP exam after 2+ years of a foreign language which can then meet a college degree requirement.
Behavioral Science
Civilian Pass Rate (2017)
Military Pass Rate (2019)
Introductory Sociology
80%
64%
Human Growth and Development
75%
34%
Introductory Psychology
70%
36%
Social Sciences and History
62%
41%
Introduction to Educational Psychology
60%
36%
May fall under high school elective category. College degrees may require 1 or more courses in the behavioral sciences.
Science
Civilian Pass Rate (2017)
Military Pass Rate (2019)
Biology
60%
39%
Natural Sciences
57%
63%
Chemistry
39%
23%
To follow 1 or more years of high school science. Colleges may award non-lab science credit for CLEP exams.
Social Science
Civilian Pass Rate (2017)
Military Pas Rate (2019)
Principles of Macroeconomics
72%
35%
Principles of Microeconomics
72%
32%
History of the United States I
69%
50%
Western Civilization I
68%
45%
Social Sciences and History
62%
41%
History of the United States II
56%
38%
American Government
52%
50%
Western Civilization II
48%
37%
These exams fit well with most high school requirements. College degrees may require 1 or more course from this category.
Language Arts
Civilian Pass Rate (2017)
Military Pass Rate (2019)
College Composition Modular (no essay)
83%
82%
College Composition
81%
74%
Analyzing and Interpreting Literature
75%
66%
English Literature
60%
29%
American Literature
51%
16%
College Composition is recommended over the College Composition Modular since most colleges do require the essay component. Most colleges consider Literature a different subject than composition.
Mathematics
Civilian Pass Rate (2017)
Military Pass Rate (2019)
College Mathematics
76%
64%
Precalculus
63%
38%
Calculus 53%
53%
34%
College Algebra
52%
24%
College Mathematics fits in well after Algebra 1 but College Algebra requires the completion of Algebra 2 and a little precalculus. Most non-STEM college degrees only require 1 math course.
Business
Civilian Pass Rate (2017)
Military Pass Rate (2019)
Principles of Marketing
79%
54%
Information Systems
71%
69%
Principles of Management
67%
33%
Financial Accounting
55%
14%
Intro. Business Law
51%
20%
Use as high school electives. Business credits do not fill general education requirements, but they do meet requirements of a business degree.
Fine Arts
Civilian Pass Rate (2017)
Military Pass Rate (2019)
Humanities
68%
36%
This is an interdisciplinary exam that includes art and literature.
