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Credit by exam or a full course?
College Algebra CLEP vs a full online course for credit
Two ways to earn college algebra credit. CLEP College Algebra is one exam for people who already know the material. UPI Study's College Algebra is a full online course for people who want to learn it first.
UPI Study is not a CLEP exam or credit by exam: it is a course with a proctored final exam and an NCCRS credit recommendation.
Side by side
College Algebra CLEP exam vs the course, compared
CLEP facts link to the College Board page they come from. Course facts are from the UPI Study catalog.
| CLEP College Algebra exam | UPI Study College Algebra course | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | CLEP charges a $97 exam fee, plus a proctoring fee: the test center's own administration fee College Board, or $30 for remote proctoring at home College Board. | $250 for the course, with no proctoring or exam fees. A transcript is $20. |
| Format | One exam: about 60 questions in 90 minutes College Board. Taken at a test center or at home with remote proctoring; all 34 CLEP exams can be taken remotely College Board. | Online and self-paced: lessons, quizzes, an assignment and a final exam. The final is proctored, or lightly proctored with no camera needed if you already have 70% before it. |
| Time | 90 minutes for the exam itself College Board, plus however long you study on your own. No fixed test dates: you book a time with a test center, or with the remote proctor College Board. | Self-paced: start any day and finish as fast or as slow as you want. |
| What you get | A score report to send to your college. Up to 2 colleges get your score free if you choose them when you register; after the exam, sending a score costs a fee College Board. | A full course to learn from, with lessons, quizzes and Athena, an AI tutor that explains the lesson you are on. When you pass, a transcript to send to your college. |
| Credit recommendation | ACE recommends 3 semester hours for a score of 50 or higher on this exam College Board. Scores run from 20 to 80 College Board. | NCCRS recommends 3 semester credits. |
| Who decides | Each college sets its own CLEP policy: the score it needs and the credit it grants College Board. | ACE and NCCRS have over 2,100 cooperating colleges that will consider accepting credits; the final decision is with the universities. |
The College Algebra exam covers material usually taught in a one-semester college course in algebra College Board.
Who should pick which
Which route fits you?
Both are honest routes to college algebra credit. They suit different people.
CLEP suits you if
- You already know college algebra well, from a class, work or self-study.
- You are ready to show it in one timed exam.
- Your college's CLEP policy lists the College Algebra exam and the score it needs.
A full course suits you if
- You want to learn college algebra step by step, with lessons and quizzes.
- You would like help along the way from Athena, the AI tutor in each lesson.
- You would rather earn your grade across quizzes, an assignment and a final than in one sitting.
Either way, check first
- Ask your college which route it takes for your requirement.
- Some colleges won't grant credit for a CLEP exam if you have already attempted a college-level course closely aligned with it College Board.
- Keep your college's answer in writing.
The UPI Study course
College Algebra, at a glance
Math 111
College Algebra
- Credits 3 semester credits
- Recommendation NCCRS recommends 3 semester credits. NCCRS listing
- How it works Online and self-paced: lessons, quizzes, an assignment and a final exam. The final is proctored, or lightly proctored with no camera needed if you already have 70% before it.
- Passing A score of 70 or more passes. Quizzes can be retaken as often as you like, and if you fail the final exam, one retake is free.
- Syllabus Open the syllabus (PDF)
One course, yours to keep
$250No proctoring or exam fees. Or take every course with a plan.
Enroll in College Algebra View the course pageBefore you enroll: ACE and NCCRS have over 2,100 cooperating colleges that will consider accepting credits; the final decision is with the universities. Search your school in Find My College, and ask your registrar which course or requirement this would count for.
Questions
College Algebra CLEP or the course: common questions
Is UPI Study's College Algebra a CLEP exam?
No. UPI Study is not a CLEP exam and not credit by exam. College Algebra (Math 111) is a full, self-paced online course: lessons, quizzes, an assignment and a proctored final exam, with Athena, an AI tutor, to explain each lesson. It carries an NCCRS credit recommendation for 3 semester credits. It is an alternative to the CLEP College Algebra exam, not a version of it.
How much does the College Algebra CLEP exam cost compared with the course?
CLEP: a $97 exam fee, plus a proctoring fee: the test center's own administration fee College Board, or $30 for remote proctoring at home College Board. UPI Study: $250 for the course, with no proctoring or exam fees. A transcript is $20.
What score do I need?
CLEP: Scores run from 20 to 80 College Board. ACE recommends 3 semester hours for a score of 50 or higher on this exam College Board. Each college sets its own CLEP policy: the score it needs and the credit it grants College Board. UPI Study: A score of 70 or more passes. Quizzes can be retaken as often as you like, and if you fail the final exam, one retake is free.
Can I retake the College Algebra CLEP exam?
Yes, after a wait. You may not retake an exam of the same title within three months of your test date College Board. In the UPI Study course, quizzes can be retaken as often as you like, and a failed final exam gets one free retake.
Will my college accept the credit?
For CLEP: Each college sets its own CLEP policy: the score it needs and the credit it grants College Board. For UPI Study: ACE and NCCRS have over 2,100 cooperating colleges that will consider accepting credits; the final decision is with the universities. Either way, ask your registrar before you start, with the course syllabus in hand.
Can I use both CLEP and the course for the same requirement?
Usually only one will count. Some colleges won't grant credit for a CLEP exam if you have already attempted a college-level course closely aligned with it College Board. Pick one route for each requirement and confirm it with your college first.
Keep going
More on college algebra and credit
Sources
Where the CLEP facts come from
Every CLEP fact on this page is from College Board, which runs CLEP, and links to the page it came from. Last checked 19 October 2026. College Board can change its fees and policies, so check its pages before you register.
- College Board: College Algebra exam https://clep.collegeboard.org/clep-exams/college-algebra
- College Board: Register for an Exam https://clep.collegeboard.org/register-for-an-exam
- College Board: Registering for a CLEP Exam with Remote Proctoring https://clep.collegeboard.org/register-for-an-exam/registering-remote-proctoring
- College Board: Take a CLEP Exam with Remote Proctoring https://clep.collegeboard.org/about-remote-proctoring/take-clep-exam-remote-proctoring
- College Board: Find a Test Center and Schedule Your Test https://clep.collegeboard.org/find-a-test-center-and-schedule-your-test
- College Board: Understand Scores https://clep.collegeboard.org/scores/understand-scores
- College Board: CLEP Exam Policies (retest policy) https://clep.collegeboard.org/clep-exam-policies
- College Board: Understanding Colleges' CLEP Policies https://clep.collegeboard.org/colleges-that-recognize-clep/understanding-colleges-clep-policies
- College Board: How to Register https://clep.collegeboard.org/register-for-an-exam/how-to-register
- College Board: CLEP College Credit Policy Search https://clep.collegeboard.org/clep-college-credit-policy-search
UPI Study facts are from our course catalog, price list and course rules. CLEP is a registered trademark of College Board, which is not connected with UPI Study.