Assessment by Local Exam (Challenge)
In disciplines where no CLEP or AP exam is accepted by Virginia Western, locally developed department “challenge” exams may be a means of earning college credit for prior learning by demonstrating satisfactory academic competency in a particular subject.
In order to be eligible for credit-by-exam, the student must be admitted to the college in a program of study, and the request must be made with at least two weeks’ prior notice of the requested exam date. Credit-by-Exam is not available for all courses taught at the college. Requests for department exams must be submitted to the appropriate academic office.
Each departmental exam may be taken only one time for a course, and the student must attain a grade of “C” or higher in order to receive credit for the examination. An exam may not be used to remove grades of “I”, “F”, “X”, or “W”, or to improve a grade already earned. In addition, a student may not challenge a lower level course in a subject which he/she has previously earned credit. Credits awarded by challenge examination may apply toward graduation requirements and will become part of the student’s permanent record. However, the grade earned on the exam will not be calculated into the student’s cumulative GPA. The grade earned on a department exam will be recorded on the student’s official transcript. There is no charge for the Challenge exams or for having credit recorded on the student’s permanent record.
International Baccalaureate (IB)
Students who have completed an IB exam with a score of 5 to 7 may be granted Prior Learning credit for a variety of courses. Students requesting IB credit must have an official transcript sent from the IB organization to the Virginia Western Records Office in order to be considered for credit. For detailed information, please contact the IB organization at:
https://www.ibo.org/programmes/diploma-programme/assessment-and-exams/requesting-transcripts/
7501 Wisconsin Avenue,
Suite 200 West
Bethesda, MD 20814
Phone: 301-202-3000
Fax: 301-202-3003
| Subject Exam | Score of 5 | Score of 6 or 7 |
|---|---|---|
| Art Design | ART 131 | ART 131-132 |
| Biology | BIO 101 | BIO 101-102 |
| Business and Management | BUS 200 | BUS 200 and 202 |
| Chemistry | CHM 111 | CHM 111-112 |
| Computing Studies | CSC 201 | CSC 201-202 |
| Economics | ECO 202 | ECO 201-202 |
| English A1 | ENG 111 | ENG 111-112 |
| English B | ENG 111 | ENG 111 |
| French A1 or B | FRE 101-102 | FRE 201-202 |
| Geography | GEO 210 | GEO 200 and 210 |
| German A1 or B | GER 101-102 | GER 201-202 |
| History | HIS 101 | HIS 101-102 |
| History of the Americas | HIS 121 | HIS 121-122 |
| History of Europe | HIS 225 | HIS 225-226 |
| Mathematics SL (Standard Level) | MTH 161 | MTH 161 and 261 |
| Mathematical Studies | MTH 154 | MTH 154 |
| Music | MUS 121 | MUS 121-122 |
| Philosophy | PHI 101 | PHI 101-102 |
| Physics | PHY 201 | PSY 201-202 |
| Psychology | PSY 200 | PSY 200 and 230 |
| Social Anthropology | SOC 211 | SOC 211-212 |
| Spanish A1 or B | SPA 101-102 | SPA 201-202 |
| Theater SL and HL | CST 130 | CST 130 |
| Visual Arts | ART 101 | ART 101-102 |
- Credit for Prior Learning Home
- Prior Learning/Graduation Requirements
- College Level Examination Program (CLEP)
- Credit for Credentials
- Military Training
- Credit by Evaluated Program (ACE/NCCRS)
- Experiential Learning/Work Experience
- Previous College Transfer Credit
- Advanced Placement (AP)
- Credit by Exam (Challenge & IB Exams)
Contact Us
Cathy Ferguson
Credit for Prior Learning Specialist
540-857-6825
cplinfo@virginiawestern.edu
Records Office
records@virginiawestern.edu
Chapman Hall C107
855-874-6690
Fax: 540-857-6102
Mailing Address:
3094 Colonial Ave. SW
Roanoke, VA 24015
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