Need advice from people who have taken CLEP exams

Hi everyone! I’m planning to start at a four-year college in Spring 2027, and I’m trying to use CLEP exams to earn as many useful credits as possible before I start.

My goal is to finish my CLEPs before Spring 2027, but I don’t want to take exams that will only end up as random elective credits. I’m trying to choose exams that will actually apply toward my degree requirements.

My current list is:

• College Composition Modular
• Analyzing and Interpreting Literature
• College Mathematics
• American Government
• Introductory Psychology
• History of the United States I
• Humanities
• Natural Sciences

I originally had Macroeconomics and Western Civilization I on my list, but I’m considering Psychology and U.S. History I instead.

I’m also debating whether I should replace Natural Sciences with another CLEP.

For people who have actually taken these exams:

• Which ones did you find easiest and hardest?
• How long did you study for each?
• Which CLEPs would you recommend?
• If you took Natural Sciences or Biology, which did you find easier?
• Are there any CLEPs you wish you had taken instead?
• What study resources helped you the most?
• Is there a CLEP that you thought would be easy but ended up being difficult?

I’m trying to make my exam choices carefully because I don’t want to spend time studying for an exam and then find out the credits aren't useful.

Any advice from people who have actually taken these exams would be really appreciated!