On April 19, 2001, at 10:00 a.m., La Sierra University’s Learning Support and Testing Center gave its first College Level Examination Program (CLEP) computer-based tests, signaling its innovative progress in testing.

Valerie Smith, director of the Testing Center, photographed Angel Gomez, a La Sierra University student interested in receiving credit for college level Spanish. Why spend time in a class when you can take a test to prove your prior knowledge?

The Educational Testing Service (ETS) chose several testing centers to pilot the computer-based tests, and after much preparation La Sierra University has successfully become one of those centers. Buying new memory for one of our computers and spending hours on the phone with the CLEP technical support and Luis Lopez at La Sierra’s Computer Information Services finally paid off when the CLEP testing was completely installed on our computers here in the LSTC. Our computers connect with the ETS via the internet to provide the test. The tester’s scores are instantaneously sent to ETS and printed out for the tester. The tester walks away with his score in hand. No waiting for three weeks wondering if you’ve passed! Furthermore, the total cost of $76 is major savings versus 8 hours of tuition credit.

By July of 2001, CLEP will become computer-based nationwide. But in the meantime, La Sierra University is honored to be piloting the program and getting one step ahead of the game at the same time. Additionally, the center anticipates increasing its revenue income from non-La Sierra students and LSU students who choose CLEP options.