CLEP Precalculus
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ExploreAbout this exam
The CLEP Precalculus exam is a College Board credit-by-examination assessment that measures mastery of the skills and concepts needed for success in a first-semester calculus course. It suits independent learners, returning students, and anyone who already knows precalculus material and wants to earn introductory precalculus credit without sitting the course. Colleges set their own credit-granting policies, so confirm your target school's required score and credit hours before registering; the ACE recommendation shown by College Board is a score of 50 for 3 semester hours. The exam emphasizes functions and their properties, including linear, quadratic, absolute value, square root, polynomial, rational, exponential, logarithmic, trigonometric, inverse trigonometric, and piecewise-defined functions, presented symbolically, graphically, verbally, or in tables. Questions also cover algebraic manipulation and equation solving, analytic geometry of conics and lines, and trigonometry applied in problem-solving contexts. Trigonometry appears across most topics and underlies roughly 30%–40% of questions. The test runs about 90 minutes across two sections: a calculator section where an online non-CAS graphing calculator is built into the software, and a no-calculator section. Most items are multiple choice, with some numerical answer entry. To prepare, review each function family and its transformations, practice reading graphs and tables, and drill calculator skills such as finding zeros, intersections, and extrema.
What you'll study
About CLEP Precalculus preparation
How long is the exam and how is it split?
You get approximately 90 minutes for about 48 questions in two sections. Section 1 has 25 questions in approximately 50 minutes and allows the built-in online graphing calculator (non-CAS). Section 2 has 23 questions in approximately 40 minutes with no calculator permitted.
What does the calculator section actually require?
Only some questions need the calculator. You may use it to compute exponents, roots, trigonometric values, and logarithms; graph and analyze functions; find zeros, intersections, and minima or maxima; solve equations numerically; and generate tables of values. The TI-84 Plus CE is integrated into the exam software.
What score do I need to pass?
College Board reports an ACE credit-granting recommendation of 50, worth 3 semester hours. That is a recommendation, not a guarantee: each institution sets its own credit-granting policy, so check your college's required score and credit hours before you register.
How much trigonometry is really on the test?
The trigonometry topic is listed at 15%, but College Board notes that trigonometry permeates most major topics. The actual share of questions requiring right triangle trigonometry or properties of trigonometric functions is approximately 30%–40%, so treat trig as a major study priority rather than a small side topic.
What question formats appear?
Most questions are multiple choice. Some questions require you to enter a numerical answer instead of selecting an option, so practice producing exact values without answer choices to pick from, especially in the no-calculator section.
What is the registration fee?
Registering for the Precalculus exam costs $97.00 according to College Board. Optional study materials, such as the CLEP Precalculus Examination Guide PDF priced at $10.00, are sold separately and are not required to sit the exam.
What should I study first?
Start with functions and their properties, since the largest portion of the exam targets them. Then work through transformations and graph reading across all function families, followed by algebraic equation solving, analytic geometry, and trigonometry. Finish with modeling problems that move between symbolic, graphical, tabular, and verbal forms.
What are common ways candidates lose points?
Two frequent problems are underpreparing trigonometry and relying too heavily on the calculator. Since Section 2 bans calculators, practice exact evaluation, identities, and algebraic solving by hand. Also rehearse finding zeros, intersections, and extrema on the built-in calculator so Section 1 time is not wasted on tool mechanics.
Can I retake the exam if I miss the score?
College Board's Precalculus page does not state a retake policy, so confirm current retake rules and any waiting period through your CLEP student portal or the Help Center before scheduling a second attempt. Your college's score requirement is also worth rechecking, since policies vary by institution.