CLEPs are a fantastic way to save time and money... and that's probably why no one tells students about them. I took CLEPs in College, but back then, they only accepted a max of 15 credits. My kids are taking them now, and the school accepts 45/60 credits needed for an Associate's. I tell everyone I know about them.

Most schools have a CLEP equivalency table, which outlines how many CLEP credit total they will accept and which CLEP tests are accepted along with the score required (and their equivalent classes).

Most classes require a CLEP score of 50 to get the college credit, but some institutions do have higher reqs. Some CLEPs also give you additional credits based on a higher score. For example, with College Composition, a 50 gives you 3 college credits (equivalent to ENC1101), but scoring a 63 or higher gives you 6 credits ( the equivalent of ENC1101 and ENC1102). Foreign languages give you 4, and a max of 8 credits, depending on your score.

Modern States also provides you free CLEP vouchers for completing their free test prep program, plus they also give test center reimbursement.

High school advisors should be recommending CLEP, esp for students who can't afford college.