Credit by Exam
Credit by exam is a system used by CollegePlus! students to prove their mastery of a subject. Students are granted credit by an examination board because they have proven by their exam score that they have an understanding of the information equal to or greater than that of a student who receives credit for completing a comparable college course.
By taking advantage of this examination approach to earning college credit, students are given the opportunity to excel in several areas over and above their traditionally schooled counterparts. Benefits include:
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More effective use of time by gaining credit for information students have already covered in high school. (The first two years of college are normally remedial.)
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Intense study of subject material facilitates improved comprehension rates as opposed to a wider topic distribution over a longer period of time.
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Studying at their own pace on their areas of interest increases students’ abilities to remain focused on the subject at hand.
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Application of study skills designed to increase speed of absorption, comprehension, and retention.
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Flexibility to students’ schedules as part of an individualized approach allows greater freedom for them to remain involved in extracurricular activities, as well as pursue internship and hands-on learning opportunities.
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Recent credit by exam research indicates that CLEP students perform as well as if not better than their traditional counterparts in nearly every case. (See: An Investigation of Education Outcomes).
CollegePlus! degree consultants and coaches will navigate students through the plethora of exams available. We assist the students in discerning which credits are required for their specific degree choice and will meet the requirements to transfer to the regionally-accredited school granting their degree.
Think You’re Not the Best Test-Taker?
You’re not alone. Many of our students who have not tested well in the past have benefited greatly from the study skills courses that CollegePlus! offers. Through the assistance of our innovative coaching program, these students become highly successful at earning credit through exam.
Credit by Exam Options:
CLEP
The College Level Examination Program (CLEP) offered by the College Board is the most popular credit by exam option. (The College Board is also known for producing and administering the Scholastic Aptitude Test [SAT].) Nearly 3,000 colleges and universities award credit to students who successfully complete 1 of 34 exams—comprised of 5 general subject exams and 29 subject specific exams offered on a range of topics. A passing grade (score) grants the student 3 or 6 credits, depending on the exam. There are more than 1,300 testing centers located across the country. Most schools and universities accept varying amounts of credit in this form.
For more information:
DANTES/DSST
The Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES) program offers students 3 credits for a passing grade (score) on each of the 37 subject exams currently offered.
For more information:
TECEP®
Thomas Edison State College offers more than 50 examinations for credit. These examinations, known as TECEP® exams, are specifically designed to permit students to demonstrate the college-level knowledge they have gained through work, personal interests, or independent study by taking a single examination. TECEP® examinations can be proctored at any accredited college or university or at a public library.
For more information:
PLA
Prior Learning Assessment (PLA), also known as portfolio assessment, is an alternative, flexible, and efficient way of earning college credits for college-level knowledge you have acquired outside a traditional college classroom. Thousands of adult learners have earned credit towards their degree based on knowledge they have acquired through hands-on-learning experiences. Credits earned through the PLA program are honored by many colleges and universities throughout the country.
For more information:
R.C. Sproul Jr.,