Tag: extra credits

Course Placement and Credit by Exams

Earning credits through examinations can determine the course placement of students at a university. Many credit by exams are recommended when enrolling for a particular course, while others are optional. A high school graduate can earn an elective undergrad course if they are able to pass these exams.

Credit by exams have eligibility criteria set, so not everyone aspiring to go to a University are able to earn credits for a preferred course. The requirements are established by the academic department with the approval of the dean.

Earning credits by passing a course is equivalent to passing a credit by exam. The only exception is that credit is not earned in residence. Failure of passing credit earned examinations does not threaten their chances of getting scholarships during the first year of college and does not reflect on their official transcript.

Students with a score eligible for credit has the option to either get a placement only prerequisite or credit only. If the latter is preferred, the Registrar’s office reports the credit the student qualified through credit by exam given that the student is not prohibited from enrolling in the said university. If the students would like to use the qualifying score to enroll in a course, he may do so. A credit-only may later be used as a placement for a course upon student’s petition, but a course credit cannot be changed to placement only. Students who are officially enrolled or former students are allowed to take examinations to establish eligibility for either placement or credit only.

There are also other credit by exams, that upon the approval of the academic dean and department head, a student may take the exam offered by the University. Those who are officially enrolled in the said University will have the chance to take the exam. IF they receive a qualifying score, they will receive credit for their preferred course.

 

CLEP Tests

Every university student goes through times where life is beyond stressful and preparation seems to be limitless. Fortunately, there is a way to cut down your to-do list during the term. College Level Examination Program (CLEP) is a group of standardized assessments designed by the College Board. These assessments allow students to take college-level examinations with the chance of “CLEP-ing” out of getting a semester’s worth of a particular class. Students can take CLEP tests at most community colleges. Each test costs around $100, which is much less costly than getting a class for a complete term at a private college. They are also much simpler than investing 15 weeks seated through a class.

CLEP tests are pass-or-fail and you have a chance to study before getting the examinations. “I only tested for four times for Humanities; it was worth it because I do not have to take Imagination In Culture,” sophomore Garret Todd said. CLEP assessments usually cover pre-reqs and primary classes such as basic math and Writing in Culture. They also cover some electives. “I heard about it through buddies,” senior Joshua Kauzlarich said. “I researched it and heard I could really reduce my schedule for my last term. Not only that, but I could save a reasonable sum of cash.” Taking CLEP assessments allows students to reduce expenses and reduce their university load considerably.

“Next term I only have Wednesday and Friday sessions,” Todd said. He took two CLEP assessments, Humanities and Analyzing & Interpreting Literary works, for six credits each. Kauzlarich took the Humanities test as well. “CLEP assessments are excellent because they provide you a chance to reduce your course load as well as offer a probability to obtain extra credits and graduate early,” sophomore Bieber Geerts said. Geerts says he plans on taking CLEP assessments because they are a much better substitute to a regular term of a basic course. Kauzlarich said he would suggest other students to look into getting CLEP assessments as well and that he would have taken advantage of them early in his college stint, but he is too far into his educational plant to exchange any more credits over from CLEP assessments.