Challenge Exam

Challenge Exam (EX) Credit

In certain circumstances, when students can show that they may have sufficient knowledge in a subject area due to relevant education and experience, they can earn CPL for a course by passing a comprehensive examination on the course material. Deciding which courses qualify for EX credit is up to the faculty in individual academic disciplines.

Challenge Exam Procedure
To receive course credit, students attempting a Challenge Exam must earn a minimum score as determined by the faculty in the department offering the exam. If students score below the minimum requirement, they should register for the course. Please note that EX credits may not be transferrable to other postsecondary institutions.

EX Credit Awarding Procedure

1. Students interested in taking a Challenge Exam must review the listing of available Challenge Exams and complete a Request of Credit for Prior Learning Form.
2. The associate dean/Center of Excellence dean will review the completed form and direct students to the appropriate faculty coordinator/program manager/program director to complete the Challenge Exam.
3. Attempt the Challenge Exam(s).
4. The faculty examiner will then determine if Credit for Prior Learning will be awarded and will then, route the final recommendation to the Academic Affairs Dean.
5. The dean of Academic Affairs reviews the faculty recommendation and signs off on credit to be awarded. Students will be notified of the decision via their Tri-C email address. 
6. If award of credit is approved, student must pay the appropriate fees ($50 per course) for the Award of Credit for Prior Learning at the Campus Enrollment Center.
7. The Campus Enrollment Center will forward all paperwork via intercampus mail to the Office of the Registrar for posting to the student’s record.

Information and Next Steps

• Students may not take Challenge Exams for previously attempted Tri-C courses. This applies to courses for which a student earned a "W," "A-F" or "P-NP."
• Students are allowed one Challenge Exam attempt per course.
• If a given course has a prerequisite course requirement, the prerequisite must be satisfied by either exemption or successful completion of the course before a Challenge Exam may be attempted.
• Students attempting a Challenge Exam must earn the minimum score as determined by the division offering the exam to receive course credit. If the student scores below the minimum requirement, the student should register for the course.
• Results of Challenge Exams may not be transferrable to any other institutions.
• Upon successful completion of a Challenge Exam, and processing by the Office of the Registrar, the credit will be posted to the student’s academic record as “EX” within five business days (during peak enrollment period, time may be longer).
• Students may appeal the credit award decision based on the following reasons only:
  • Score miscalculation.
  • Inconsistency with the College’s Credit for Prior Learning procedure.

Students may not appeal CPL decisions based on disagreements with grade-weighting methods or scores earned on standardized exams.

College Level Examination Program (CLEP) Credit

The College Level Examination Program (CLEP) gives students an opportunity to earn college credit for what they already know — for the fraction of the cost of a college course. Earning a qualifying score on one or more of the available exams can help students reach their academic goals, whether they are getting a head start on college or working to finish their degree.

Tri-C students who pass a CLEP exam with the minimum required score will earn college credit based on CLEP credit chart recommendations.

For general CLEP information, or to purchase a CLEP exam, visit the College Board CLEP website at https://clep.collegeboard.org. It is recommended that students meet with an academic counselor prior to purchasing a CLEP exam to ensure that credit is applicable to their degree or certificate program. 

CLEP Credit Awarding Procedure

1. Students must have the College Board send their CLEP score(s) to: Cuyahoga Community College/ Office of the Registrar/ P.O. Box 5966/ Cleveland, OH 44101
2. The registrar will evaluate CLEP score(s) upon receipt to determine applicable credit. After evaluation, the Office of the Registrar will send results to students at their Tri-C email address. If CLEP credit for a course(s) is awarded, it will be posted to the student’s academic record within five business days (during peak enrollment period, time may be longer).