Taking CLEP Exams outside of United States?

[CMAC80]

If you live in a country outside of United States are the exams paper based or computer based? If it is paper based how do we register for the exam? I haven't been able to locate on the CLEP registration form who we pay for the exam. I have contacted clep but haven't received a response. Also which exam is harder paper based or computer based? Any information would be great.

Thanks!

[Inwe]

Check out this website. CLEP Test Center Search

[gus]

Only 14 of the 34 subjects are available as paper based exams, here's the list from DANTES:

CLEP GENERALS
English Composition without essay
Social Science & History
Natural Sciences
Humanities
College Mathematics

CLEP SUBJECTS
Analyzing & Interpreting Literature*
College Algebra
Freshman College Composition*
Information Systems
Introductory Psychology
Introductory Sociology
Principles of Management
U.S. History I
U.S. History II

*Optional essay is available if required by the college or university.
NOTE: The CLEP General “English Composition with Essay” test is not available as a paper-based test and must be taken at a national test center as a computer-based examination.

COLLEGE LEVEL EXAMINATION PROGRAM (CLEP)

I don't think they are different in terms of difficulty, they are certainly more expensive ($120 vs $65+proctoring fee for the online version). The other difference (which was the thing with DSST exams as well) is the waiting game: a few weeks before the results come back vs instant gratification with the online version. But I guess if you don't have the online option, it's much better than nothing.

Paper based CLEPs used to be available as a service at the educational section of American consulates/embassies (many of which closed down to the public because of terrorist threats). If you'd contact the one in your area, they might be able to help you.

If you're taking the online version, you can either pay online while registering for the exam on the spot (right before taking the exam) or possibly pay the testing center in cash and they'd handle the payment (they do that either by using a pre-paid voucher or using a designated credit card), it all depends on the testing center's policies.

[CMAC80]

Thanks Gus for the reply! If the web link is accurate than that would be a sigh of relief! There is one more problem. My wife is not a US Citizen. Can she still register for the exam?

[zefrench]

As a Canadian I had no problem registering and passing a exam with CLEP, DSST, ACE, ACFL, ICCP, Penn Foster, and Excelsior. So far the only road block has been the online Fema course

[gus]

Thanks Gus for the reply! If the web link is accurate than that would be a sigh of relief! There is one more problem. My wife is not a US Citizen. Can she still register for the exam?

I'm assuming you meant taking the exam at the consulate/embassy. I'm really sorry but I wouldn't know for sure, best is to contact the embassy/consulate in your area directly (the educational section's phone number should be easily available on their local website) . The info I had gotten from Collegeboard is about 3 years old and like I said, many educational sections are closed to the public because of elevated terrorist threats, so it'll depend on your area.

Did you check Inwe's link, were there no testing centers in your area?

[knucyt]

CMA80 - anyone - U.S. citizen or not can take CLEP and DANTES exams at any offocial testing center - unless of course it is on a military base and they cannot get on base - but obviously there are a number of non-military base testing centers anyway per the URL that Inwe posted!

[CMAC80]

I am currently living in Indonesia and my wife is interested in taking the CLEP. I contacted CLEP and they stated that I would have to contact the US Embassy about their testing capabilities. Also a DSST center might due. One other thing if my wife doesn't have a social security number at the moment. How will CLEP find her records later on when she wants to send her transcripts to Excelsior?

[gus]

You don't need a social security number, I think name, date of birth and permanent address are enough for identification. In the past, you would have had to fill a form asking all sorts of questions, including hair and eye color as well ethnic group, weird, eh?

I wouldn't worry about it, I'd just make sure all the registration information is correct on the day of the exam (and that same registration information is re-used consistently on subsequent exams).

The nearest centers listed on Collegeboard's website are in Malaysia, Philippines and Autstralia, not very near I guess.

By the upcoming testing center, were you referring to this one:
INDONESIAN INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION FOUNDATION
MENARA IMPERIUM 28TH FLOOR
SUITE B
JL. HR. RASUNA SAID KAV.1
JAKARTA
INDONESIA
62-2 8317332
IIEF | The Indonesian International Education Foundation

I got this off The DSST Program, but the institution's website does not list DSST exams under testing (from what I could gather), typical.

Anyways, I'd call them up and ask if they can provide CLEP exams, even as favor (they already deal with Collegeboard for SAT exams so they might be able to order the paper based version or maybe even better, get them online).