How do you know about CLEP?

[nynavey]

I heard about proficiency exams from the US Military. They promote them as a means to get credit affordably (it's FREE to military members) and it's easier to do for some in the field than distance learning or traditional classes.

I have uttered CLEP or DSST/DANTES to other classmates and they look at me as if I speak another language...what? Some of the staff at my own college were unsure how to handle the difference between CLEP and DSST exams, and for a year and a half I was only getting 3 credits on several 6 credit CLEPs! My education using the proficiency exam system has in turn educated parts of my college admin staff.

I suspect colleges don't promote it terribly because colleges are, after all, in the business of making money. Helping students get a degree is secondary. I have 27 credits in proficiency exams now, and the total cost of exams and study materials is less than 5% of what my tuition for the same credits would have been.

I agree with the person here who said if everone did this, it would revolutionize the college experience. I am now a proficiency-exam ADVOCATE!