Some University Core requirements can be fulfilled by successful completion of an exemption or challenge exam.  

Challenge Examinations

Challenge exams as a group carry academic credit and a grade. The student's transcript and grade point average reflect the score obtained on that exam. A schedule for taking exemption and challenge exams can be found in the current class schedule.

Some challenge exams are offered through the Testing Center and others must be arranged through departments. There is a fee to take each examination. In addition, students must request academic credit in order to have a letter grade posted to the transcript and reflected in the grade point average.

Procedure for Challenge Exams Given at the Testing Center

1. Contact the appropriate department for the exam procedure and content before going to the Testing Center.
2. Go to the Testing Center (265 HGB).
1. For testing dates on GE exams, see table in General Education section of the current class schedule.
2. Pay the required fee at the Testing Center.
3. After the exam is graded and the choice is made to receive graded credit, obtain a Challenge Examination Form at the Testing Center and have it validated there.
1. To accept the grade and receive credit for the course, sign the Challenge Examination Form and have the Testing Center submit it to the Records Office (B-150 ASB). After taking the exam there is a limited time to request that the grade be submitted to receive course credit. The time limit to choose the course credit is determined by the department, not to exceed one year. Graded credit will be added to the student's official university transcript, and the progress report will show any GE requirement as fulfilled.
2. Students taking the Physical Science examination may take the grade or an exemption if their score is 75 percent or above. If their score is between 60 and 74 percent, they may receive graded credit.
4. Students enrolled in the course when they pass its challenge exam must also drop the course. Students who drop the class after the add deadline (ten class days after a semester starts or six days after a term starts) will receive a W on their transcript for dropping the course. If the course is not officially dropped before the withdrawal deadline, the grade given by the instructor based on class performance will appear on the transcript.

Procedure for Challenge Exam Not Given at the Testing Center

1. Complete the Challenge Examination Form available from the department or from the Records Office.
2. Arrange with the department to take the exam.
3. Pay the $20 required fee at Student Financial Services in D-155 ASB and have the form validated there.
   1. $20 fee per course except for the language exam.
4. Present the validated form to the department examiner.
5. Have the grade and the credit recorded on the form by the examiner and obtain the necessary departmental signatures.
6. After seeing the grade, student may choose to have the credit posted to their academic record by signing the Challenge Examination Form and having the department send the completed form to the Records Office (B-150 ASB). After taking the exam there is a limited time to request that the grade be submitted to receive course credit. The time limit to choose course credit is determined by the department and is not to exceed one year.
7. Students enrolled in the course when they pass its challenge exam must also drop the course. Students who drop the class after the add deadline (ten class days after a semester starts or six days after a term starts) will receive a W on their transcript for dropping the course. If the course is not officially dropped before the withdrawal deadline, the grade given by the instructor based on class performance will appear on the transcript.

Exemption Examinations

Exemption exams do not, as a matter of course, carry academic credit or grades. A passing score on an exemption exam shows on the Progress Report form only as a completion of the requirement.

Exemption Examinations are offered in the Testing Center (265 HGB) for Precollege Mathematics and Physical Science. These are given early each semester/term so that students may evaluate their performance on an exam and adjust their schedule accordingly. Consult the Testing Center and advisement centers for the specific dates of these exams. First semester/term students are permitted to take the Precollege Mathematics exams free of charge one time. All other attempts will be subject to a fee, payable at the Testing Center.