Prep for the CLEP

When I see something advertised as "the best kept secret" I often close out the computer screen. Everyone knows that people in marketing don't keep secrets -- they shout things across cyberspace and tweet them from the telephone poles. Yet I think the CLEP is a well kept secret... not, of course, among those offering CLEP books or other services (who can't keep secrets either!) but out in 'the real world' and in academia.
 

CLEP stands for College Level Examination Program, and it's a way to 'test out of' college courses, earn lower-division credits, and save time and money. The CLEP was envisioned as a way for those with real-world learning experience -- for example, those in the military -- to show mastery of college level skills. It also allows home schoolers to demonstrate their learning while getting a jumpstart on their college careers. Even as so many are struggling economically, the cost of a university education is on the rise. Those who manage to secure financial aid are often left with spiraling debts. By reducing the time it takes to earn a college degree, CLEP can help many people who would not otherwise have the opportunity to complete college.