Flying Prep vs Modern States
An honest look at the free CLEP course provider, and where adaptive drilling fits alongside it
By Alex Stone · Facts verified: August 20, 2026
Modern States is a free nonprofit, founded by Steve Klinsky, that offers 32 free video-lecture courses, one aligned with each existing CLEP exam, taught by college professors. Students who complete a course and pass its final exam with 75% or better earn a voucher covering the CLEP exam fee. It is a genuinely good, free option for the learning and exam-fee part of the CLEP path. Here is where it stops, and where Flying Prep picks up.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Modern States | Flying Prep |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free, always | $39/mo or $150 for 6 months |
| Learning Format | Video lectures taught by college professors | Adaptive, question-led practice |
| CLEP Exam Fee | Voucher covers the $97 fee after you pass the course (75%+) | You pay the $97 fee yourself, plus a separate test-center or remote-proctoring administration fee |
| Test-Center Admin Fee | Not covered by the voucher | Not covered (same as every provider) |
| DSST Coverage | Not offered | Full DSST catalog included |
| Practice Questions | Course quizzes and a final exam | Adaptive practice questions plus full-length practice exams |
| Flashcards | Not offered | Spaced repetition flashcards per exam |
| Readiness Signal | Course completion and final-exam score | Confidence/readiness scoring before test day |
| Guarantee | Not applicable (free) | 30-day money-back guarantee |
Cost
Free, always
$39/mo or $150 for 6 months
Learning Format
Video lectures taught by college professors
Adaptive, question-led practice
CLEP Exam Fee
Voucher covers the $97 fee after you pass the course (75%+)
You pay the $97 fee yourself, plus a separate test-center or remote-proctoring administration fee
Test-Center Admin Fee
Not covered by the voucher
Not covered (same as every provider)
DSST Coverage
Not offered
Full DSST catalog included
Practice Questions
Course quizzes and a final exam
Adaptive practice questions plus full-length practice exams
Flashcards
Not offered
Spaced repetition flashcards per exam
Readiness Signal
Course completion and final-exam score
Confidence/readiness scoring before test day
Guarantee
Not applicable (free)
30-day money-back guarantee
Choose Modern States if...
- Budget is the constraint. It is completely free.
- You learn well from video lectures taught by college professors.
- You want the CLEP exam fee covered by a voucher after you pass the course.
Choose Flying Prep if...
- You want adaptive, question-led practice that targets your weak areas.
- You want spaced repetition flashcards and confidence/readiness scoring before test day.
- You need DSST exams, which Modern States does not offer.
How people use both
A common, sensible path: take a Modern States course to learn the material and earn the exam-fee voucher, then use Flying Prep to drill with adaptive practice questions and spaced repetition flashcards, and check your confidence score before scheduling the exam. Modern States teaches; Flying Prep tells you when you are ready.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Modern States really free?
Yes. Modern States is a nonprofit founded by Steve Klinsky. Its 32 courses, video lectures taught by college professors, and CLEP exam-fee vouchers cost students nothing.
Does the Modern States voucher cover everything?
It covers the CLEP exam fee (currently $97) after you complete a course and pass its final exam with 75% or better. It does not cover the separate test-center administration fee that some test centers charge, so budget for that fee even with a voucher in hand.
Does Modern States cover DSST?
No. Modern States is CLEP-only: one free course aligned with each of the 34 CLEP exams, and no DSST courses or vouchers.
Why pay for Flying Prep when Modern States is free?
They solve different problems. Modern States teaches the material through video lectures and covers the exam fee. Flying Prep is a drilling and readiness layer: adaptive practice questions, spaced repetition flashcards, confidence scoring, and full-length practice exams that tell you when you are actually ready to sit the real exam, plus DSST coverage that Modern States does not offer. Many students use a Modern States course to learn the material, then use Flying Prep to drill and confirm readiness before test day.
Try Flying Prep free, no credit card required
7 days or 50 practice questions, whichever comes first, no credit card required. See how adaptive practice and confidence scoring help you know when you are ready.
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