What This Exam Covers
The Principles of Marketing CLEP is similar to an introductory marketing course. It covers the entire marketing process: identifying customers, developing pricing, target markets, distribution channels, and running promotions. This exam has a lot of vocabulary and if you can master it then you'll most likely pass. Since we are all in such a consumer led economy many of us have some of these concepts already even if we've never taken a formal marketing class.
Exam at a Glance
| Questions | 100 multiple choice |
| Time | 90 minutes |
| Passing score | 50 (most schools) |
| College credits | 3 semester hours (typical) |
| Exam fee | $97 |
What's on the Principles of Marketing CLEP*?
| Category | Weight | Topics |
|---|---|---|
| Role of Marketing in Society | 8%–13% | Global marketing, ethics and social responsibility, digital and direct marketing, sustainability, consumer protection |
| Role of Marketing in an Organization | 17%–24% | Marketing concept, marketing strategy, the marketing environment (economic, competitive, legal, technological), marketing decision systems |
| Target Marketing | 22%–27% | Consumer behavior, market segmentation, targeting, positioning, market research methods |
| Marketing Mix | 40%–50% | Product and service management, branding, pricing policies, distribution channels and logistics, promotion, integrated marketing communications, e-commerce applications |
Source: For a full breakdown of what is on the exam, see the College Board Principles of Marketing CLEP page.
How hard is the Principles of Marketing CLEP*?
This is one of the easier business CLEP exams, with a 97% pass rate among our students. Many adults already understand pricing, advertising, and distribution from their daily experiences. However, some vocabulary may be unfamiliar, such as psychographic segmentation, push vs. pull strategy, and price elasticity.
Plan to study for 2 to 4 weeks with no business background, or just a few days if you have previous business experience or courses.
How to study for the Principles of Marketing CLEP*
- Work through InstantCert flashcards, focusing on missing vocabulary.
- Take a look at the College Board's free Principles of Marketing practice questions for a free practice test.
- ModernStates offers a free Principles of Marketing course built for CLEP, particularly useful for consumer behavior and global marketing sections.
What score do you need to pass?
A score of 50 is the standard passing threshold at most schools but some schools set the bar at 60. Passing the Marketing CLEP credit typically counts toward a business core or general elective requirement. Confirm with your institution how it applies to your degree before testing.
Pass and the CLEP shows up on your transcript as a Pass, with no letter grade and no GPA impact. Fail and the attempt does NOT appear on your transcript at all. You can retake after 3 months, though you will lose the $97 fee.
Can you pass Principles of Marketing CLEP* with just flashcards?
Many of our students have only used our flashcards and our 97% pass rate reflects how well it works. The test is largely vocabulary-based, making flashcards a good fit. Students with business backgrounds often find the exam easy.
Which colleges accept the Principles of Marketing CLEP*?
Most universities in the United States accept the Principles of Marketing CLEP for 3 semester hours. Be aware that schools often cap the total CLEP and DSST credit you can apply toward a degree, and highly selective universities like Harvard do not accept CLEP credit at all.
Use the College Board's CLEP credit-granting policy search tool to check your school's policy. The tool is not always up to date, so confirm with your college before you test.
Principles of Marketing CLEP* vs. taking the class
If you just need the credit, the CLEP is dramatically cheaper and faster than a semester-long class. A marketing degree or concentration will involve several upper-level marketing courses, making the classroom version a better choice if you want a deeper understanding of marketing.
| Exam fee | $97 (military: 1 free attempt) |
| Tuition equivalent | $500 to $1,500+ for a 3-credit course |
| Credits earned | 3 semester hours |
| Prep time | 2 to 4 weeks depending on background |
| GPA impact | None (pass/no record) |
| Transcript for fail | No record |
Happy testing!