CLEP for Military: How to Get Free College Credits Through DANTES
If you're active duty military, you have one of the best-kept secrets in education: free CLEP and DSST exams through DANTES (Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support).
What DANTES Covers
- All 34 CLEP exams — completely free (normally $93 each)
- All DSST exams — completely free
- No limit on attempts (one free attempt per exam title)
- Test center fees often covered at on-base education centers
How to Get Started
Step 1: Visit Your Education Center
Every military installation has an education center. Walk in and tell them you want to take CLEP exams. They'll set you up.
Step 2: Prepare
This is where most service members make a mistake — they walk into the exam cold. Even 10-20 hours of focused prep dramatically increases your pass rate.
Free prep options:
- Modern States — free courses + free exam voucher (civilian program, but military can use it too)
- PrepLion — free diagnostic tells you exactly what to study
Step 3: Take the Exam
Schedule at your base education center or any Prometric testing center.
Step 4: Submit Credits
Send your score report to your college. Most military-friendly colleges accept all CLEP credits.
How Many Credits Can You Earn?
| Strategy | Credits | Savings | |----------|---------|---------| | 1 CLEP exam | 3-6 | $1,200+ | | 5 easy CLEPs | 15-30 | $6,000+ | | Full freshman year | 30+ | $12,000+ |
Best CLEP Exams for Military
- Introductory Psychology — universal, easy to pass
- American Government — military members often know this well
- Principles of Management — military leadership translates directly
- Principles of Supervision (DSST) — NCO experience is relevant
- Introduction to Business (DSST) — broad, common-sense material
The Bottom Line
You earned this benefit. Use it. A weekend of study can earn you 3-6 college credits for free. Stack 5 exams over a few months and you're a semester ahead — at zero cost.