DSST Excelsior Update

[CLEP101]

So far as I know, EC is not giving graded credit out for any of those tests if they were the new version. By all means someone correct me if I'm wrong. If you really need the graded credits, I recommend going to EC and making sure your future test plans will get you there.

I believe you are correct. On my transcript, EC gave letter grades to the older version DSSTs only. The new DSSTs are pass/fail like CLEPs.
I might just take Substance Abuse for a "P" so I don't have a "C" on my transcript from the older Drug and Alcohol Abuse exam.

[motuterry]

I’m going to start my reply by stating this basic belief:

I believe the Big Three assessment colleges should do everything within their power to protect the integrity and value of the degrees they award.

Now, if you don’t agree with that premise, then you probably don’t need to read any further. However, if you do—or if you’re undecided, consider this:

Excelsior College has decided not to award upper-level credit for the four exams noted in the first post of this thread, despite the new ACE recommendations. Clearly, ACE recommendations have been their primary guide in awarding credit.

As far as I'm aware, Excelsior has made no decision on any of these refreshed DSST exams. As late as this past friday, I was informed this issue was still under review.
If the ACE, which has been the guiding authority for years, has indicated these 4 refreshed exams are UL, then certainly colleges have an obligation to review them and make their own determination. From the threads posted on this site, it's clear that many folks who have sat for these new refreshed exams came away feeling the tests were significately more difficult. I sat for all of them and I found that to be the case. Reportedly the pass rates have dropped as well.

Should Excelsior, or any other college, deem these exams as LU based on their fair review of content, then so be it. That is their right and resonsibility. On the other hand, if decisions are made to break from the long established policy of following ACE guidelines because of a perceived potential for loss of income, then integrity will clearly have been compromised.

On a side note, I have no vested interest in how this all shakes out. I will have finished with my degree and watching from the sidelines by the time this gets sorted out.

Best to all.

-Terry

[Joel]

Having taken all four DSST exams in question, I will say without reservation that Religions, Ethics and CJ are more difficult than other tests that EC awards UL credit for...I'm thinking specifically of Substance Abuse and ECE HRM. HTYH is on par with SA in my opinion.