How credit by exam works
Instead of sitting through a course, you study on your own and take one exam. If you score high enough, your school can give you credit for the course. This works best for subjects you already know from work or life.
CLEP
CLEP is run by the College Board. It offers 34 exams, mostly in introductory college subjects. Around 2,900 colleges and universities grant credit for CLEP.
Each school sets its own policy. It decides which exams it accepts, what score you need, and how many credits you get.
Free CLEP study courses are available through Modern States at modernstates.org.
DSST
DSST is run by Prometric. It offers 30 or more exams. ACE has recommended college credit for its exams. DSST includes some upper-level subjects, not just intro courses.
Check these three things first
- Does your target school accept this exam?
- What score does the school require?
- How many credits by exam will the school accept in total?
If the school does not accept the exam, passing it will not help your degree.
School rules change. Always confirm the current policy with your school before you enroll or take a course.