It's a college level test, so they have to develop some incomprehensible new scoring system just to look cool. OK, granted, they probably have better reasons than that, but it seems to me that it would be so much easier if they just based it all on percentages. Ah well, if I ruled the world....
The Raw Score
This is the initial scoring system (the one you'll never see), where each correct answer counts for one point, and there is absolutely no penalty for incorrect or unanswered questions (a really good reason why you should always answer every question, even if you have no idea what they're talking about). If you get 70 questions right on a 120-question test, then your raw score is 70.
The Scaled Score
This is where things get complicated. Your raw score is now translated into a more "sophisticated" scaled score by a statistical process called "equating". I picture it as a magical little machine into which you insert a perfectly logical number and a weird scores pops out from the other side. This number will always be somewhere between 20 and 80. The ACE (American Council on Education) recommended passing score is 50 for most tests, but the actually credit-value for your test's score varies greatly by test and college.
When Your CLEP Scores Don't Matter
The truth is that, usually, if you get 50+ then you will get your credit hours, without affecting your GPA. That's right--it doesn't matter if you get a 50 or an 80, it's the same thing to your college.
Now as I said, this does vary. For example: at the University of Arkansas you get 3 credits for passing with a 50 on tests like College Mathematics and Humanities, but as many as 8 credits for passing with a 50 on Natural Sciences, and you only have to get 48 for College Algebra. In other words, nothing is set in stone. It all depends on the individual institution, what classes they offer, what their standards are, etc.
Foreign language CLEPs are a little quirky, too. The ACE recommended passing score for French Level 1 is 50 for 6 credits, but for French Level 2 you have to step it up a notch to 59, but you get 12 credits for your pains.
Get a detailed chart of ACE recommended scores here: www.collegeboard.com
The Letter Grade Equivalent
The "50" score basically means that if you had taken this subject as a class in college you would have received a "C"--barely passing. "B" could be anywhere from a 56 (Humanities) to a 67 (German Language, Level 2).
So, I hope all of this makes sense. If not, feel free to leave me any questions in the comment section!
Until next time,
