I’m in the US and I’m going back to college after 15 years in the work force. I’d like to try to test out of some basic classes I have a lot of experience in, but no college credits. How does this work? Who runs this program, an accredited testing board or individual colleges? If you test out of a class, would that count as 3 (or equivalent) credit hours of college credit for other purposes such as professional licensure? Are there issues with acceptance by colleges of these types of tests? Thanks!
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Sounds like you need to speak with your advisor.
In my limited experience with technical education, as it was explained to me, schools are actually more reluctant to let students test out of the “basic” classes, as that’s where most of the un-testable soft skills that are required for advanced classes are picked up.
100% and it varies on the institution. I was given test and transfer credit counting towards overall hours, but not replacing requirements for upper division courses. Often the mandatory lower division classes are “weed outs” to streamline the students who will major, since programs can’t handle more than a certain number.
Really proud of you for going back to school OP — best wishes.
Talk to the advisors at the college.
A lot of (community) colleges do placement test, in my experience. I tested out of all my mathematics courses.
CLEP exams let you test out of basic courses and get the course credits without taking the class. I did three classes that way a few years ago. I’d still recommend studying since the tests cover specific material. They’re not general knowledge/life experience exams, but you can study at your own pace and test out when you’re ready. clep.collegeboard.org
If you have a specific institution in mind you’d like to attend, you’ll need to talk with some combination of their admissions, advising, and testing center staff.
Why go to college if you aren’t going to take the classes?
