Undergraduate Catalog

Policies: College Level Exam Program (CLEP)

Academic Policies and Procedures » College Level Exam Program (CLEP)

CLEP exams are offered by the College Board at test centers around the country. There are tests in many subject matter areas, but they are not connected to any preparatory course. Preparation for the tests is accomplished through independent study of texts and resources recommended by the Board. To learn more about the tests contact CLEP at 800-257-9558 or 212-237-1331, or visit the CLEP website.

The acceptable scores for CLEP examinations change over time. The College's current minimum satisfactory scores in subject tests are listed below. (Note that these may differ from what appears on CLEP's website. Note, too, that New Paltz does not honor the CLEP General Exams). Achievement of the minimum score will result in transcript credit for the equivalent course at New Paltz. CLEP tests may be taken at any time, except for the College Composition test, which must be taken prior to enrollment as a regularly admitted student.

Visit CLEP Test Center Search to find a test center near you. The following test center is closest to New Paltz:

Dutchess Community College (9.69 miles from New Paltz)

53 Pendell Road
Student Services Center, Room 104

Poughkeepsie, NY 12601

845-790-3734
CLEP Exams at Dutchess Community College


The following CLEP subject tests are acceptable at New Paltz.

CLEP Subject Examination Title
Minimum Score
Corresponding Credit
Essay
Remarks

Biology

General Biology

50

3 credits in BIO201 + 3 credits in BIO202

 

Students may earn 1 additional credit in BIO211 and/or 1 additional credit in BIO212 upon departmental evaluation

Business Administration

Principles of Management

47

3 credits in BUS250

not required

 

Intro. Business Law 51 3 credits in BUS271 not required  
Chemistry
General Chemistry 50 3 credits in CHE201 + 3 credits in CHE202   Students may earn 1 additional credit in CHE211 and/or 1 additional credit in CHE212 upon departmental evaluation
Economics
Principles of Microeconomics 47 3 credits in ECO206 not required  
Principles of Macroeconomics 48 3 credits in ECO207 not required  
English
College Composition 60 3 credits in ENG160 essay portion of the College Composition exam is required See * below (CLEP notes for GE4 Basic Communication)
Foreign Language
College-Level French 59 3 credits in FRN201 (Intermediate French I)   Possibility of 3 additional credits in FRN202 (Intermediate French II) upon satisfactory interview at SUNY New Paltz
College-Level German 60 3 credits GER201 (Intermediate German I)   Possibility of 3 additional credits in GER202 (Intermediate German II) upon satisfactory interview at SUNY New Paltz
College-Level Spanish 63 3 credits in SPA201 (Intermediate Spanish I)   Possibility of 4 additional credits in SPA202 (Intermediate Spanish II) upon satisfactory interview at SUNY New Paltz
History
History of the United States I 60 4 credits in HIS221 not required  
History of the United States II 60 4 credits in HIS222 not required  
Western Civilization II: 1648 to the Present 60 4 credits in HIS214 not required  
Mathematics
Calculus 55 4 credits MAT251   See + below (CLEP Note for Math)
Precalculus 55 4 credits MAT181   See + below (CLEP Note for Math)
College Algebra 55 3 credits MAT152   See + below (CLEP Note for Math)
College Math 55 3 credits
MAT120
  See + below (CLEP Note for Math)
Political Science
American Government 55 4 credits in POL216 not required  
Psychology
Introductory Psychology 50 3 credits in PSY101 not required  
Human Growth and Development 50 3 credits in PSY241 not required  
Sociology
Introductory Sociology 50 3 credits SOC100 not required  

* Notes for use of CLEP in meeting GE4 Basic Communication requirements:

  1. CLEP scores must be received prior to matriculation – i.e., no later than the first day of classes of the student’s first semester at New Paltz.
  2. If a student receives a score of 60 or above on the College Composition CLEP exam, which includes a required essay, the student may earn 3 credits in Composition I (ENG160). Only the College Composition exam with essay can be considered; the CLEP General exams in English and the Composition Modular without an essay are not acceptable.
  3. Composition I (ENG160) is the prerequisite for Writing & Rhetoric (ENG170), New Paltz’s GE4 Basic Communication course.

Students who matriculated prior to Fall 2019 follow GEIII. The following notes apply to use of CLEP to meet GEIII Composition requirements:

  1. CLEP scores must be received prior to matriculation – i.e., no later than the first day of classes of the student’s first semester at New Paltz.
  2. Composition I (ENG160) and Composition II (ENG180) are taken in a two-semester sequence upon matriculation to complete the General Education III Composition requirement. If, for any reason, the Composition courses are taken out of sequence, this does not provide exemption status for Composition I. Both courses cover specific writing techniques and skills and are not redundant syllabi.
  3. Subject exam entitled College Composition, which includes a required essay, is the only acceptable exam. The CLEP General exams in English Composition are not acceptable.
  4. If a student receives a score of 70 or above on the CLEP exam (the College Composition Exam only, NOT the Composition Modular Exam), the student may be exempt from Composition I.

+ Note for use of CLEP in meeting Math requirements.

Credits awarded for the courses shown may be applied as prerequisites to the next higher course.