If you’re new to Homeschooling for College Credit, one of the first terms you’ll hear is “Credit by Exam.” I write about this a lot because I love, love, love credit by exam for homeschool families. But what does “college credit by exam” really mean? How does it work? And is it right for your teen? Let’s break it down in super simple terms.
What Is Credit by Exam?
Credit by Exam is a way for your teen to earn real college credit by passing a standardized test – in most cases it is an exam they can take at home. Instead of sitting through (and paying for) a 16-week college class, your teen can study independently using your favorite homeschool curriculum (religious or secular) and then take an exam to prove their knowledge. If they pass, they earn potential college credit—just like a traditional college student.
Types of Credit by Exam
The most common Credit by Exam programs used by homeschoolers include:
- CLEP (College Level Examination Program) – Offered by the College Board, CLEP exams are FREE to take if you use a voucher from Modern States. They cover subjects like College Algebra, US History, Psychology, and more. These are multiple choice and can be taken at a testing center or at home. Take 365/24/7
- DSST (formerly DANTES Subject Standardized Tests) – Originally designed for the military, these exams are now open to anyone. These exams are similar to CLEP, cover slightly different subjects than CLEP, and are also multiple choice which can be taken at home. Take 365/24/7
- AP (Advanced Placement) – Also from the College Board, AP exams are typically thought of as a test you take after an AP course, but homeschoolers can self-study and take AP tests without having taken an AP test. A big difference with AP is that you must take the test at a local high school, which can take some serious advanced planning. Taken only during the designated AP exam weeks in May.
Why Homeschoolers Should Love Credit by Exam
Homeschool families should love Credit by Exam for three big reasons:
- Affordability: CLEP, DSST, and AP exams cost under $100- that’s without discounts, vouchers, or other price reductions. Each passed exam can save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars later- it’s a HUGE return on investment.
- Flexibility: You choose the pace and the prep materials. Study using a textbook, video course, or your homeschool curriculum. The content of each exam is well publicized, making it easy for you to know exactly what your teen needs to learn.
- Control: You’re not locked into a specific program. You decide which subjects to pursue and when.
Will Colleges Accept the Credit?
Many do! It’s a smart question to wonder if your teen’s credit by exam will actually be worth college credit later. The truth is that you have no guarantees. A college that awards credit today might now award credit in three years when your teen eventually attends. Policies can and do change, so while it’s fun to look up exam acceptance policies, it’s not necessary. When you use the model we teach, college credit is frosting on the cake- not the whole cake! This means that if your teen doesn’t take the exam, doesn’t pass the exam, or college credit wasn’t awarded, nothing is lost. Our model is win-win.
🛠 How to Get Started with a New Subject
- List your teen’s homeschool subjects for the school year.
- Check if there’s a CLEP, DSST, or AP exam for any of those subjects.
- Choose your homeschool curriculum (regular or honors level) and begin teaching as usual.
- If your teen is engaged, enjoying the subject, and learning well, plan to add an exam at the end of the course.
- Get test prep materials from trusted free or low-cost sources.
- Blend test prep into your homeschool course—no need to replace what’s working.
- In the second half of the course, have your teen take 1–3 practice tests.
- If they’re scoring 65% or better, go ahead and schedule the official exam.
- Finish the homeschool course and award high school credit.
- Register for the exam and continue light review until test day.
- Take the exam!
- When it’s time to apply to college, they send the official exam scores to their chosen college.
- Colleges that accept credit by exam will convert the scores into college courses already completed!
✅ Final Thoughts
Credit by Exam is one of the most powerful tools in the Homeschooling for College Credit toolbox. It gives your teen the chance to earn real, transferable college credit—on your terms, on your schedule, and often at a fraction of the cost.
Ready to learn more? Download our free CLEP Layering Guide to understand how to layer your homeschool curriculum with credit-by-exam prep content. This guide works for CLEP, Advanced Placement, or DSST.
