College-Level Examination Program
The College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) is a group of standardized tests administered by College Board that allow students to earn credit based on knowledge acquired through experience or independent study. The table below details how Purdue awards credit based on CLEP exam scores. Please note that optional CLEP essays are not required to earn credit.
To receive credit from CLEP results, you must request your official scores be sent electronically directly from College Board to Purdue University (code 1631).
For descriptions of the specific Purdue courses listed in the table below, refer to Purdue’s course catalog.
| CLEP Exam | Purdue Course | Purdue Semester Credit Hours | Required Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Government | POL 10100 | 3 | 50+ |
| American Literature | ENGL 25000 | 3 | 50+ |
| Analyzing and Interpreting Literature (essay not required) | ENGL 23100 | 3 | 50+ |
| College Algebra | MA 15300 | 3 | 50+ |
| College Composition | UND 1XXXX | 3 | 50+ |
| College Composition Modular | UND 1XXXX | 3 | 50+ |
| College Mathematics | MA 1XXXX | 3 | 50+ |
| English Literature | ENGL 1XXXX | 3 | 50+ |
| Financial Accounting | MGMT 20000 | 3 | 50+ |
| French | FR 10100 | 3 | 50-58 |
| French | FR 10100 and 10200 | 6 | 59-63 |
| French | FR 10100, 10200 and 20100 | 9 | 64-68 |
| French | FR 10100, 10200, 20100 and 20200 | 12 | 69+ |
| General Biology | BIOL 11000 | 4 | 55+ |
| General Biology | BIOL 11000 and 11100 | 8 | 70+ |
| General Calculus | MA 16010 | 3 | 50+ |
| General Calculus | MA 16500 | 4 | 60+ |
| General Chemistry | CHM 11100 | 3 | 50+ |
| General Chemistry | CHM 11500 | 4 | 65+ |
| General Chemistry | CHM 11500 and 11600 | 8 | 70+ |
| German | GER 10100 | 3 | 50-58 |
| German | GER 10100 and 10200 | 6 | 59-63 |
| German | GER 10100, 10200 and 20100 | 9 | 64-68 |
| German | GER 10100, 10200, 20100 and 20200 | 12 | 69+ |
| History of the United States I | HIST 15100 | 3 | 50+ |
| History of the United States II | HIST 15200 | 3 | 50+ |
| Human Growth and Development | HDFS 21000 | 3 | 50+ |
| Humanities | UND 1XXXX | 3 | 50+ |
| Information Systems and Computer Applications | CNIT 2XXXX | 3 | 50+ |
| Introduction to Educational Psychology | EDPS 49000 | 3 | 50+ |
| Introduction to Sociology | SOC 10000 | 3 | 50+ |
| Introductory Business Law | MGMT 2XXXX | 3 | 50+ |
| Introductory Psychology | PSY 12000 | 3 | 50+ |
| Macroeconomics | ECON 21000 | 3 | 50+ |
| Microeconomics | ECON 21000 | 3 | 50+ |
| Natural Sciences | SCI 1XXXX | 3 | 50+ |
| Precalculus | MA 15800 | 3 | 50+ |
| Principles of Management | MGMT 1XXXX | 3 | 45+ |
| Principles of Marketing | MGMT 1XXXX | 3 | 50+ |
| Social Sciences and History | UND 1XXXX | 3 | 50+ |
| Spanish | SPAN 10100 | 3 | 50-58 |
| Spanish | SPAN 10100 and 10200 | 6 | 59-63 |
| Spanish | SPAN 10100, 10200 and 20100 | 9 | 64-68 |
| Spanish | SPAN 10100, 10200, 20100 and 20200 | 12 | 69+ |
| Spanish with Writing | SPAN 10100 | 3 | 50-58 |
| Spanish with Writing | SPAN 10100 and 10200 | 6 | 59-63 |
| Spanish with Writing | SPAN 10100, 10200 and 20100 | 9 | 64-68 |
| Spanish with Writing | SPAN 10100, 10200, 20100 and 20200 | 12 | 69+ |
| Western Civilization I | HIST 10300 | 3 | 50+ |
| Western Civilization II | HIST 10400 | 3 | 50+ |
Understanding Undistributed Credit
- Courses listed as “1XXXX” or “2XXXX” transfer as undistributed credit, meaning Purdue does not have a direct course equivalent or the minimum grade requirement for course equivalency has not been met.
- Undistributed credit appears on your Purdue student record as credit hours within the respective subject area.
- Following admission, consult with your Purdue academic advisor to determine how undistributed credit may be best used to meet curriculum requirements within your degree plan.