In disciplines where no CLEP, DSST, AP, or IB 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.
Credit by Exam Requirements:
- Student must be admitted to VWCC in a program of study.
- Request must be made with at least two weeks prior notice of the requested exam date.
- Credit-by-Challenge Exam is not available for all courses taught at the college.
- Requests for challenge exams must be submitted to the appropriate academic/department office.
- Challenge exams may be taken only one time for a course.
- A grade of “C” or higher must be attained 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.
- 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.
- Grade earned on the exam will not be calculated into the student’s cumulative GPA.
- Grade earned on a department exam will be recorded on the student’s official transcript.
- There is no charge for Challenge exams or for having credit recorded on the student’s permanent record.
- Credit by exam may not transfer to other institutions.
Credit by Exam form (PDF)
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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