What is Credit by Exam (CBE)? The Complete Guide for 2025

Imagine graduating much faster than you expected – what if you could cut tuition costs, save time and skip the hassle of a traditional four-year education? Think it’s impossible? Think again. With credit by exam (CBE) your career could be more within reach than you ever imagined. CBE enables you to “test out” of college courses and earn college credits through exams rather than semester-long coursework. And if you want to know how Achieve Test Prep can support you with making testing out of college courses a reality, we’re here to help you succeed. 

In this guide, you’ll discover what credit by exam actually is, how it works, who could benefit and how Achieve Test Prep supports your CBE success. Ready to maximize college-time efficiency with CBE? Let’s get started!

What is Credit by Exam?

Credit by exam refers to testing out of traditional college courses by passing a standardized test that gives you credit because you have demonstrated competent proficiency in a subject matter. Because CBEs commonly test your proficiency in prerequisite and general education college courses, you can test out of many courses – provided your college or university is one of the thousands of accredited schools that allows credit for these kinds of standardized tests. 

If so, you can accelerate your degree and save you time, hassle and tuition costs with CBE credits. By preparing for and passing a standardized CBE test such as a CLEP, DSST or AP exam, you can fulfill your college credit requirements sooner. This fast-tracks your education and career in rewarding ways. Here’s a closer look at standard CBE options:

Quick CBE Comparison Overview:

CLEP (College-Level Examination Program)

CLEP exams provide college credit for 34 exams in areas like history, math, business and languages. The major advantage of CLEP is that you can prepare for each exam in weeks rather than in a semester. You can also pay $93 for the exam registration rather than thousands in tuition for each foundational course credit 

CLEP is a promising solution for those self-motivated students seeking to fast-track college by providing an independent study option that tests you out of semester-long courses.  

DSST (DANTES Subject Standardized Tests)

DSST exams with 37 test topics, covers topics like business, technology, humanities and social sciences. Although initially designed for military personnel, DSST exams are accepted by over 1900 colleges and universities nationwide. With focused prep of 1-3 months, you can pass a DSST rather than taking 6-month long courses. DSST tests offer an affordable and convenient way to test out of prerequisite and general education college credits.

AP (Advanced Placement Exams)

AP exams enable high school students to take a year-long course in college general education subjects so that they can pass one exam in May. With 40 exam subjects offered, students can test out of subjects like math, science, language and arts. High schoolers can jumpstart their college education by scoring between 3-5 on the AP placement exam, depending on the college acceptance standards.    

Who Can Benefit from Credit by Exam?

Credit by exam provides significant benefits to many students who are looking to fast-track their college education and graduate sooner while saving substantial expense and hassle. Those who might especially benefit include:  

• Working Adults and Busy Professionals: These working professionals can focus on daily priorities without sacrificing their commitment to their education and career,
• Students Seeking Affordable Degree Paths: Avoid being saddled with burdensome debt and reduce tuition costs with a CBE pathway. 
• Military Personnel and Veterans: Leverage prior skills, expertise and experience with CBE exams to avoid the hassle of semester-long courses.

Non-Traditional and Returning Students: Reintegrate into your academic life and complete coursework faster to make graduating easier.

How Achieve Test Prep Supports Your CBE Success

Achieve empowers you to propel ambition into achievement with our proven, flexible and efficient college education solutions. Pass your CLEP or DSST exams on the first try and with confidence

• Personalized Exam Prep Courses and Tutoring: Live, expert online courses designed to boost exam readiness and ensure you’re more than prepared.
• Customized Study Plans Tailored to Your Goals: Targeted study roadmaps to ensure you achieve your education and career priorities. 
• One-on-One Support from Expert Instructors: Access the guidance, support and motivation you need every step of the way.
• End-to-End Guidance to Maximize Exam Outcomes: From enrollment to exam day, Achieve empowers you to gain the confidence and clarity you need to succeed.

Real Success Stories: How Achieve Students Fast-Tracked Their Degrees with CBE

Succeed with Achieve, like so many of our students who have fast-tracked their graduation and careers. Hear from students who love the impact Achieve has had on their education pathway:  

"Now if you’re looking to earn college credit by test taking by means of the CLEP exam, I would definitely recommend Achieve. They definitely helped me take multiple courses in which I was able to get my college credit and they’ve been great. They definitely helped me find resources and helped me with the test taking strategies and the material that we need to pass these tests. So I definitely would recommend it." Brittany from Georgia - LPN to RN program

"I just got my CLEP exam pass last week. For the past four weeks I have been with Achieve Test Prep. I followed instructions and attended all my classes without missing one. I think that the fact that I attended classes and listened to the instructor helped me to pass my CLEP exam. I share this because if you guys are doubting, wIth a little bit of studying, and you follow classes and the instructors. It’s guaranteed. The sky's the limit." Gervais from New York - CNA to RN program

Bonus: Why Credit by Exam is the Future of Higher Education

As college education evolves, flexibility, efficiency and affordability have taken greater priority. Credit by exams provide a solution to these challenges by offering a faster, more affordable pathway to a college degree. It is a model that embraces both modern-day challenges of life and the impact of an autonomous pathway. 

With surging education costs and the need to fast-track graduation, CBE empowers students to embrace this future of higher education. Schools, students and employers alike recognize the value and benefits of how credits by exam propel students towards their future.

Ready to Fast-Track Your Degree?

What if you could graduate sooner, save thousands in tuition and get the support you need to accelerate your education pathway? Achieve makes this possible. Our expert-led, flexible CLEP and DSST test prep pathways ensure you pass exams on your first try. We’ve supported thousands of students to pass their exams with confidence. With Achieve, your college success is an exam away – contact us today!