ES4210 - Challenge Test Administration

1.  The Vice President, Academic Affairs and/or their designee and the Administrative Assistant for the Vice President, Academic Affairs are responsible for the upkeep of current Challenge Tests.
2. Students may challenge a DMACC course for which there is no College Level Examination Program (CLEP) or DANTES Standardized Test (DSST) Exam. Only officially approved exams can be used to challenge a course.  Credit by departmental examination (Challenge Test) is a means of granting alternative credit by satisfactorily demonstrating subject-matter competency through an approved examination developed, administered, and evaluated by college faculty.  Administration by a specified DMACC Testing Center may also be assigned by the faculty.  Access this Tests Offered through DMACC Testing Center to review the currently available Challenge Tests.

Procedures

A.  The student initiates the course Challenge Test process by completing the Challenge Test Request Form located on the DMACC Testing Center’s Tests Offered page and myDMACC.

B.  The request is then routed to Academic Records who will determine if the student is eligible to take a course Challenge Test.  A student may only challenge a course once and may not do so if they have already received a grade in the course at DMACC. 

C.  The student will receive an email if Academic Records finds the student to be ineligible to take the Challenge Test.

D.  If eligible, Student Accounts will follow up with the student about fee assessment and payment.  The student will be assessed a non-refundable $50 administrative fee to be paid prior to attempting the Challenge Test.  Once the payment occurs, the form progresses.  Charges are not rescinded, nor is payment refunded, if the student does not successfully pass the Challenge Test.

E.  If the student challenges a course in which they are currently enrolled, has paid the course registration fee, and the dates is beyond the 100% refund date, the student is assessed the $50 administration fee, and tuition is not refunded if they pass the exam.

F.  Student may take a Challenge Test up until the last date to withdraw from Part of Term 1 to ensure credit is awarded on the final transcript.  DMACC Academic Calendar - key dates & events throughout the year.

G.  Once paid by the student, the contact person will arrange for the exam and coordinate with the student.

H.  Once completed, the faculty will grade the exam and complete the Challenge Test Form.  Grading of the Challenge Test must occur within 10 days of test date.

I.  Once grading is completed and submitted, the Executive Academic Dean, Academic Records, and the student will be notified of the outcome of the Challenge Test.

J.  If enrolled in the course, the student may remain enrolled if the Challenge Test is unsuccessful.

K.  The passing grade for the Challenge Test is determined by the program.  The credit is recorded on the student’s transcript with a grade of “T” at the end of the term when final grades are posted and will not be calculated in the student’s GPA. 

l.  The student will be notified when the form is completed.  If applicable, these credits will be used as prerequisites for appropriate higher-level coursework.  Registration will override the prior course requirement until the earned credits have been recorded.  The credit processing does not occur until the end of the academic term to avoid financial aid disruptions.

M.  Appeals Process

1.  If the student does not pass the Challenge Test, the student will be notified within 10 days of the test date through the Challenge Test Form.
2. Once notified, the student may appeal the decision to the Pathway Chair.
3. The appeal must be made in writing and submitted within 10 business days of the denial date.

N.  Tests offered through DMACC Testing Center

Cross Reference:
SA 504 - Credit by Examination  

Adopted: July 1, 1994
Revised:
November 1, 2017

May 10, 2022 - Cross-referenced to SA Policy 504.

March 14, 2023 - Minor changes added to include Provosts and Associate Provosts.

October 4, 2023 - Minor changes to wording regarding $50 fee.

May 22, 2025 - Procedure Totally Revised

Related Form:  

​​Challenge Test - New Item