General Exam Guidelines

Guidelines for General Exams
Updated 2023

NOTE: A student cannot take a CLEP General Exam if 60 credits or more have been earned. 

1.  College Composition and College Composition Modular
     Credit not acceptable for William Paterson University students. 

2.  College Mathematics 
     a. Minimum score of 50 
     b. 3 credits awarded upon passing exams and to be allocated as follows: 
               • 3 credits toward Contemporary Math (MATH 1100) 
               • UCC-3E Ways of Knowing/Quantitative Thinking 
     c. No credit awarded if Contemporary Math (MATH 1100) or any other mathematics course 
        higher than MATH 1100 has been completed prior to CLEP Exam. 

3.  Humanities 
     a. Minimum score of 50 
     b. Possible 6 credits total awarded upon passing exam and to be allocated as follows: 
               • Fine Arts Section: 3 credits as free elective 
               • Literature Section: 3 credits as free elective 

4.  Social Sciences and History 
     a. Minimum score of 50.
     b. Possible 6 credits total awarded upon passing exam and to be allocated as follows:
               • Social Science section:  3 credits - Introduction to Political Science POL 1100 
                                                       UCC-3E Ways of Knowing/Social & Behavioral Sciences
               • History section:             3 credits toward free electives
                                                       No credit is awarded if any history course has been completed prior to CLEP Exam.

5.  Natural Sciences 
     a. Minimum score of 50 
     b. 3 credits toward free electives
     c. No credit awarded if comparable course is completed prior to CLEP Exam. 

 

If you have any additional questions or concerns, you may contact the Office of Testing 
by telephone (973-720-2570) or email:
 Testcenter@wpunj.edu.

 

William Paterson University's CLEP Program reserves the right to make changes in its policies and offerings.

Changes are designed to enhance the learning experience for all students.