How to Accelerate Your Degree Plan
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Proficiency Examination Programs (PEP)
PEP tests are available in 38 subjects within arts and sciences, business, education, and nursing. The exams are 3 hours long, contain either objective or extended response questions, and are graded according to a standard score, letter grade, or pass/fail. Taking PEP exams can help you earn undergraduate credit and graduate credit. These exams are more expensive than the CLEP, but still offer significant savings. Fees vary, depending on the subject and type of exam; multiple choice tests cost $45 to $80, and essay tests are $140. The Excelsior College (formerly Regents) program includes more than 40 tests for credit, including GRE credit. These examinations are accepted at nearly 900 colleges and universities (see the Excelsior College Examinations registration guide for a list of institutions granting credit.) Testing includes areas in the arts, business, education, nursing, and the sciences. Each exam is modeled on a course outline that is provided in the subject free study guide.

Graduate Record Examinations (GRE)
The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is generally the standard admissions test for students seeking admission to graduate school. The GRE is sometimes also used to assess student's learning at the undergraduate level. There are two types of GRE examinations: general testing and subject (discipline) specific. Credit for these exams can go up to 30 credits. The GRE general examination is $99.00; the subject exam costs $130.

Many colleges and universities also have credit-by-examination programs through which students earn college credit. The most well known are through Ohio University, Thomas Edison State College, Charter Oak College and the University of North Carolina.

Ohio University offers approximately 150 examinations for obtain credit. To take an examination, students must enroll in the subject course. The fee for a correspondence or Internet course is $95.00 per quarter hour. Exams can be taken on campus or at another proctored location.

Thomas Edison State College offers more than 50 exams in business, liberal arts, and professional areas. Non-resident students may to take the tests with a proctor at any accredited American college or university or U.S. military base. Most of the tests are essay questions or multiple choice. Time limits range from 90 minutes to 4 hours, depending on the exam. Cost per exam for Thomas Edison students is $50; those not enrolled pay an additional $100.

Charter Oak State College.
Charter Oak provides multiple options for sources of college credit. Proficiency tests and portfolio assessments are used to evaluate prior learning, as well as taking courses through correspondence and credit banking.

The University of North Carolina offers a credit by examination option for 140 correspondence courses in business administration, education, electrical and computer engineering, foreign languages, health administration, humanities,
social sciences, mathematics, and natural sciences. The examination fee is $75. The exam may be taken on campus or under supervision at an accredited local college or university.

To learn more about gaining credit through examination, see the ACE Guide to Educational Credit by Examination.

Credit for Corporate, Military, or Professional Training
Have you completed corporate, military, or other professional training programs? The American Council on Education has two programs that assist in translating professional and career training courses, certfications or examinations into college credit. One such program is the College Credit Recommendation Service. The CCRC serves to evaluate formal educational programs sponsored by professional and voluntary organizations, labor unions, the government, hospitals, business and industry. These college credit recommendations are listed in The National Guide to Education Credit for Training Programs. If your training or program is recommended for credit in the ACE guides, your school may count it as college credit.

TheThe ACE Military Program evaluates courses provided through the Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Department of Defense, Navy, and the Marines. The military recommendations are in The Guide to the Evaluation of Educational Experiences in the Armed Forces. For Army veterans, The Army/American Council on Education Registry Transcript System (AARTS) will provide a transcript of ACE credit recommendations for all coursework completed while in service, the military occupational specialities (MOS's) held, and examinations passed.

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