Credit by Examination Student Guide

Credit by Examination

The Temple College Testing Center provides information and assistance regarding the College’s Credit by Examination program.

The Testing Center is located in the Temple College Main Building #38, Room 120.

Students who have acquired college-level knowledge through previous coursework, training, employment, independent study, or other experience may be eligible to receive college credit by completing an approved examination.

Temple College provides opportunities to earn college credit through the following examination programs:

1. College Board Advanced Placement (AP)
2. International Baccalaureate (IB)
3. College-Level Examination Program (CLEP)
4. DSST (formerly DANTES)

Credit awarded through examination is subject to Temple College policies, course requirements, and applicable institutional guidelines.

Student Policies and Procedures

1. Official Score Reports

   • Credit by examination will be awarded only from an official examination score report.
   • Students are responsible for requesting that the appropriate testing organization send an official score report directly to the Temple College Testing Center or designated college office.
   • Credit by examination will not be awarded solely from a high school or college transcript.

2. AP and IB Examinations

   • AP and IB examinations are generally administered through participating high schools or approved testing locations.
   • Students who intend to receive AP or IB credit at Temple College should request that their official examination score report be sent to Temple College.
   • College Board confirms that students must request an official AP score report to receive college credit or placement based on AP scores.

3. CLEP and DSST Examinations

   • CLEP and DSST examinations are administered through approved Temple College testing locations and are subject to current Testing Center availability, procedures, and requirements.
   • CLEP examinations are administered and scored through the College Board.
   • DSST examinations are administered and scored through Prometric.
   • Students should contact the Testing Center for current examination availability, registration procedures, fees, and testing requirements.

4. Transfer Institution Policies

   • CLEP and DSST credit policies vary by college and university.
   • Students planning to transfer to another institution should contact the receiving institution directly to determine whether examination credit will be accepted and how the credit will apply toward the student’s degree or program requirements.

5. Previously Completed Coursework

   • Students may not attempt a CLEP or DSST examination for a course in which they have already successfully completed coursework or received college credit.

6. Prerequisite and Co-Requisite Requirements

   • Students must meet all applicable prerequisite and co-requisite requirements before attempting a corresponding CLEP or DSST examination.
   • A Department Chair may approve an exception when appropriate and in accordance with Temple College policy.

7. Examination and Administration Fees

   • Applicable administration fees must be paid before testing.
   • For examinations requiring payment through the Temple College Cashier, students must obtain and retain their payment receipt and present the required documentation to the Testing Center before testing.
   • Students should contact the Testing Center for current examination fees and payment procedures.

8. Refunds

   Deadline

   Refund requests must be submitted to the Testing Center in person within 30 days of the original payment date shown on the payment receipt. Requests submitted after 30 days, or without the original receipt, will not be processed.

   • Administration fees may be eligible for a refund when an examinee does not test.
   • The original payment receipt is required to process a refund request.

9. Registration and Testing Information

   • Current registration information, examination procedures, testing requirements, and applicable fees are available through the Temple College Testing Center.
   • Students should contact the Testing Center before making test arrangements to ensure they have the most current information.

10. Residency Requirement for a Degree

    • At least 25 percent of the credit hours required for a degree must be completed through coursework at Temple College.
    • Credit earned through examination does not satisfy this 25 percent institutional residency requirement.

College Board Advanced Placement (AP) Program

The Advanced Placement (AP) Program, administered by College Board, provides students with the opportunity to demonstrate college-level knowledge through standardized AP examinations.

AP examinations are generally administered annually in May through participating schools and approved testing locations.

Students should contact their high school counselor or AP coordinator for information on AP course enrollment, exam registration, deadlines, and exam administration.

Students who wish to receive AP credit at Temple College are responsible for having an official AP score report sent to Temple College.

College Board currently provides online services for students to send official AP score reports to colleges and universities.

* If AP credit for ENGL 1301 has already been earned, or if ENGL 1301 has been completed, credit for ENGL 1302 may be awarded as applicable.

International Baccalaureate (IB)

The International Baccalaureate (IB) program provides academically motivated students with the opportunity to complete college-level coursework and examinations.

Students participating in the IB program should contact their high school counselor or IB coordinator for information regarding course requirements, examination registration, and score reporting.

Students seeking Temple College credit must have an official IB examination score report sent to the College.

College-Level Examination Program (CLEP)

The College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) allows students to demonstrate college-level knowledge gained through independent study, employment, previous coursework, specialized training, or other experiences.

CLEP examinations require a substantial level of subject knowledge.

Students may obtain current CLEP examination information through the Temple College Testing Center and College Board.

DSST Credit by Examination Program

The DSST Program, formerly known as DANTES, is a college credit-by-examination program administered by Prometric.

DSST examinations allow students to demonstrate college-level knowledge in specific subject areas. Credit may be awarded when students achieve the required score and meet applicable Temple College requirements.

DSST examinations are commonly used by adult learners, military personnel, returning students, and others who have gained college-level knowledge through professional experience, independent study, or specialized training.

Important Information for Students

Students are encouraged to contact the Temple College Testing Center before requesting an examination or official score report.

Policies, approved examinations, minimum scores, course equivalencies, fees, testing locations, and procedures may change. Students should always verify current information before testing or requesting credit.

Credit by Examination Guide — Revised: August 27, 2026