Is there a way to take one big test to get rid of a class?

Question

For college. Like is there a way that you can study your butt off and maybe pay to take a test. And if you pass that test, you get credited for it, and don't have to take the class? Just the standard general studies or something, and it'd be with a community college, unless you could do a university???

Answer 1

What you're asking about is the College Level Examination Program (CLEP) provided by the nice folks that bring you the SAT.

There are 5 general exams that are worth 6 credits each. The whole series is worth 30 semester hours which is equivalent to a whole year of college.

There are also a number of subject tests that are worth between 3 and 6 hours each covering a wide variety of topics.

The web page is here ---> http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/clep/about.html

Understand, these are not easy tests and they require considerable knowledge. You should check with the college of your choice to make certain that they accept the exam you want to take. Some colleges only accept the general exams, some only the subjects, some only accept some exams but not others. Some won't accept any but most colleges know these tests well and will accept the credit.

There are a couple of other options out there too such as AP, IB, DANTES, and ECE that are well accepted but the CLEP series is probably the most well accepted.

Also, most colleges allow for departmental examinations. This is where you take the final for the course you want credit for and if you pass, you get credit.

There are some people who have completed their whole degree by taking examinations. This is a very difficult prospect though and not one most of us can accomplish.

Happy learning.

Answer 2

Yes. Many universities will let you take a test and "quiz out" of basic entry level subjects. For example, I quizzed out of speech at K-State. You will need to contact your college or university for their specific rules however, as the classes where this is possible varies from institution to institution. Your adviser should be able to help you.

You can also take AP (Advanced Placement) tests. These are offered in several subjects (European History, Am. History and Government, Psychology, Calculus, etc.). Generally high school students take these as classes and then test at the end of the year, but perhaps it's possible to just take them. Most colleges or universities will give you credit for these if you make a high enough score. I believe they cost around $80 - $100 each to take.

Answer 3

Yep. You can often do this sort of thing at most schools, though not with every course. You have to pay for the credits anyway, so you should take that into account. The department secretary at the department that offers the course in question will know all about this sort of thing.

Academically, I'm not sure it's always such a great idea.

Answer 4

CLEP testing.

If you're university administrates it, is a great way to get credit for certain lower level courses while costing only ~$70 (at my university) for the exams.

Often, for degrees, you may get credit for the course, but still have to take a higher level course of the same subject for a letter grade if the CLEP'd class is part of your major degree requirements.

Answer 5

There's CLEP, if your college accepts CLEP scores. Go look up CLEP on the Collegeboard website. Of course, if you want to transfer your credits to a four-year college, and you are in community college right now, only apply to schools that take CLEP credits. And you'll want to score more than 50 on each test.

Answer 6

A lot of colleges do have placement tests to test out of intro. courses.

Like intermediate algebra, college algebra, calculus I, calculus II, biology, chemistry, maybe physics I, etc.

You can't test out of your upper classes, because part of the degree program is interacting with the faculty and such.