University Requires High CLEP Scores for One Subject Only?

[atroph]

Thanks for all of the responses.

As for studying and taking it again that is out of the question as I don't think I can get that high even after studying my tail off. I just can't read and absorb information if it is not super interesting to me (especially history subjects). Electronics, computers, and other tech stuff I can do. Just the way I am. Funny thing is that I know I will ace the class if I sit for it. As of now I have registered for the class at my local community college. I was tentatively scheduled to graduate this summer contingent on passing the CLEPs. I did indeed pass them, but just not to their "standards" which I think are flawed and illogical.

For instance, I attended my local community college so I have the residency requirement done. I have taken lower and upper level courses at my 4 year school. I can take my credits from the 4year and roll them in to the community college and graduate immediately after rolling in my CLEP scores in History with an AS in General Studies. To me this does not make sense that my CLEPs in History count for EVERY institution in Virginia that reports the passing scores to the governing body within the state (SCHEV). If it is good enough for the community college that is so intertwined with my 4year with their articulation agreements and transfer programs that they don't accept the CLEP for History at its recommended ACE value.

Still haven't heard from the Chair of the History Department and his last email asked if I was a prospective freshman for the fall. I think this person doesn't have a clue as to what I am getting at and I think I am going to the dean next. Either way I will get a definitive answer. I may not get the credit and I have planned for that, but I will not be ignored.

Here is my last correspondence with him:

In the past month I have taken the US History I, US History II, and Western Civilization I CLEP exams all with passing scores at every other university or college that reports to SCHEV with the exception of XXX. At a glance it appears that XXX is the ONLY university that reports to SCHEV that requires a score higher than the ACE recommended score of 50.

My question is why does XXX require the equivalent of an "A" on the CLEP EXAM for history subjects only and follows with the American Council of Education for the rest of the accepted CLEP tests? Is this old policy that has not been looked at for several years?

As of now with 3 passing CLEP exam scores in History, I have enough credits to get a Certificate in General Education from community college x and then transfer that to XXX to satisfy the general education requirements, but XXX will not accept my passing CLEP scores as they stand? This doesn't make sense.

[cookderosa]

Thanks for all of the responses.

As for studying and taking it again that is out of the question as I don't think I can get that high even after studying my tail off. I just can't read and absorb information if it is not super interesting to me (especially history subjects). Electronics, computers, and other tech stuff I can do. Just the way I am. Funny thing is that I know I will ace the class if I sit for it. As of now I have registered for the class at my local community college. I was tentatively scheduled to graduate this summer contingent on passing the CLEPs. I did indeed pass them, but just not to their "standards" which I think are flawed and illogical.

For instance, I attended my local community college so I have the residency requirement done. I have taken lower and upper level courses at my 4 year school. I can take my credits from the 4year and roll them in to the community college and graduate immediately after rolling in my CLEP scores in History with an AS in General Studies. To me this does not make sense that my CLEPs in History count for EVERY institution in Virginia that reports the passing scores to the governing body within the state (SCHEV). If it is good enough for the community college that is so intertwined with my 4year with their articulation agreements and transfer programs that they don't accept the CLEP for History at its recommended ACE value.

Still haven't heard from the Chair of the History Department and his last email asked if I was a prospective freshman for the fall. I think this person doesn't have a clue as to what I am getting at and I think I am going to the dean next. Either way I will get a definitive answer. I may not get the credit and I have planned for that, but I will not be ignored.

Here is my last correspondence with him:

In the past month I have taken the US History I, US History II, and Western Civilization I CLEP exams all with passing scores at every other university or college that reports to SCHEV with the exception of XXX. At a glance it appears that XXX is the ONLY university that reports to SCHEV that requires a score higher than the ACE recommended score of 50.

My question is why does XXX require the equivalent of an "A" on the CLEP EXAM for history subjects only and follows with the American Council of Education for the rest of the accepted CLEP tests? Is this old policy that has not been looked at for several years?

As of now with 3 passing CLEP exam scores in History, I have enough credits to get a Certificate in General Education from community college x and then transfer that to XXX to satisfy the general education requirements, but XXX will not accept my passing CLEP scores as they stand? This doesn't make sense.

This is true, but you're outside of an articulation. So, if you complete an AA/AS articulation, your university will accept the exam at the score. You're applying your credits independent of that articulation, meaning that they'll be evaluated individually. It's too late now, but if you'd have taken your exams and earned the AA/AS it would be a non-issue. If you are not opposed to the idea, and you're not going to let go of this, my suggestion is to go to the CC tomorrow and meet with an advisor. See if they'll provide you a WRITTEN copy of the articulation agreement and find out if it's too late to get in on that agreement. Don't say squat about the CLEP exam being your motive. It will be rolled in and life will be puppies and rainbows.

[atroph]

This is true, but you're outside of an articulation. So, if you complete an AA/AS articulation, your university will accept the exam at the score. You're applying your credits independent of that articulation, meaning that they'll be evaluated individually. It's too late now, but if you'd have taken your exams and earned the AA/AS it would be a non-issue. If you are not opposed to the idea, and you're not going to let go of this, my suggestion is to go to the CC tomorrow and meet with an advisor. See if they'll provide you a WRITTEN copy of the articulation agreement and find out if it's too late to get in on that agreement. Don't say squat about the CLEP exam being your motive. It will be rolled in and life will be puppies and rainbows.

Very true and I have already cast that die in respect to the community college. I have enough credits including my CLEP tests to have an AS which will transfer. I do have to take a test on computer stuff like email, spreadsheets, and word processing. I would figure that those tests will be fairly easy since I have done more with those items in the last two years of full time study that I am fairly competent in those subjects.

I am not working under an articulation agreement as I have already passed that stage but in the 4 year university catalog it clearly states that an AS in general studies will satisfy all of the lower level requirements. An AAS requires a certificate in general studies but I am not sure if the certificate transfers on its own. Either way It is a mere formality at this point. I am taking the history class as an added backup just in case something goes wrong. I can not wait any longer as my job will REQUIRE a BS by December or I will not get the promotion. The class will be dynamic over three weekends so I will be done fairly early so that I can roll that History class in in my AS doesn't pan out.

And yes I will be pursuing this until I get a valid answer. It is a matter of principle at this point. "We have high standards" is BS as this is not an Ivy League School. Upholding a higher standard for History only doesn't make sense.

[BGSU_Alum_86]

OP, you have raised my curiosity. I just couldn't resist doing a little research on the CLEP passing scores at universities in Virginia (public or private). Yes, I did see mostly (emphasize "mostly") 50s, but did come across some that do require higher scores on selective subject tests. I am fairly certain I have discovered which B&M school you attend. If I am correct, the history exams are not the only ones that have a higher score requirement.

I think it is fine for you to pursue this, but I would not suggest that you make the very generalized statement that ALL of the other universities in Virginia accept a 50 as a passing score. Check out George Mason, Virginia Union, and Liberty as just a few examples.

Every college/university that decides to offer CLEP credit is permitted to set their own requirements, and yes, this can even go so far as by department. For instance, I saw that George Mason will not grant any CLEP credit to students who have declared majors in their College of Humanities & Social Sciences. Doesn't seem fair, but they have every right to set their own standards. There are some colleges who will only grant credit for one CLEP exam (and the required passing score may be very high), or maybe just a few. Then there are quite a number who will grant credit for all of them.

[atroph]

Yup my school isn't hard to find and is VERY interweaved with the local CC's in the "Tidewater" Virginia area. The only variation with the standards set forth by ACE were in Business and Foreign Language (and obviously history lol). Even though they deviate from the ACE recommended minimum the deviation is a max of 3 points IIRC. 14 points above the norm in history is nuts IMO.

The easiest place to check what schools accept what is here: B10: Part C: Advanced Placement Tests and Scores Accepted by Virginia Institutions

Not all schools report to SCHEV but many do and it gives a very good statistical estimate. For instance Virginia Tech isn't listed IRT CLEP, but at Tech's site you can see that they align with the ACE norms. https://www.registrar.vt.edu/documents/clep_eq_1415.pdf

IMO if it is good for Tech it should be good for my school.

I will still drive this topic as it has become important to me. I am still taking History of the US I at my local CC so that I can roll it in at my B&M in time for my commissioning (military) in/around December time frame. I'd like to be done now but it doesn't look like that will happen. It would be nice if my B&M took the letter grade from my CC as I am only 0.01 points away from Summa Cum Laude and I only need 1 graded point at 4.0 to get me over the hump. I'll live with Magna Cum Laude but it was one of my goals while attending. I did get the highest GPA of my department so I was treated to a fancy dinner and a medal That experience gave me quite a few hook-ups within the faculty and my time as a TA so I might see if I can get some other faculty assistance to drive this one home.

I did look at Liberty, GMU, Virginia Union and all of those institutions require a 50 for the History tests. IMO those are very reputable schools so I don't understand why mine has "higher standards" as stated from the History chair. He was just blowing smoke. I still haven't heard back from him and I will get hot tomorrow. I may take a trip to the campus so that I can be in his face to state my case or go to the dean if he doesn't give me a sufficient answer. (I also checked Regent (50 or higher on all accepted tests), Virginia Wesleyan (same as Regent), and Norfolk State (same a regent))

[cookderosa]

at the end of the day, the university gets to make the call. It doesn't have to be higher standards, it could be because the sky is blue and it's Friday. The fact that they accept CLEP at all is a gift. That said, I respect you going after what you want.

[atroph]

Now this is an interesting turn of events. I looked at my transcript today as I am waiting on final grades for 1 class. My class is there and what do I see. Credit for a CLEP in history! I scored a 55 on my US History I and II tests. Interesting. Adds another point to my argument so that the website can/will be changed. I think I will back off right now until my degree is conferred (still waiting for Sociology and College Comp CLEP credits to drop in). Lol!

[bricabrac]

Now this is an interesting turn of events. I looked at my transcript today as I am waiting on final grades for 1 class. My class is there and what do I see. Credit for a CLEP in history! I scored a 55 on my US History I and II tests. Interesting. Adds another point to my argument so that the website can/will be changed. I think I will back off right now until my degree is conferred. Lol!

Congratulations! Gotta love the squeaky wheel! I actually admire a bit of student rebellion, where would this country have been without it.

Don't expect a public notice of change, what you just received was more than likely an exception. God forbid the university not continue to make money off of the obedient sheep who would not dispute the initial decision and register for the class. Since you were going to take the course elsewhere, they were not making any money holding you back.

Enjoy your down time and good luck in your military career! cheersmate