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)
Application for Challenge Exam (PDF)
Challenge Exam FAQs (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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