How are Clep and DSST Scores Determined at your University

[cookderosa]

I've never taken a Clep or DSST test before so I don't understand the scoring method used for these tests.

My University requires that the students who are taking CLEP or DSST must score in the 75th percentile or higher in certain subjects, Or a grade of a B or higher in other test subjects.

How are the scores listed on the test and how would I determine if I passed according to my school requirements.

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Example Below:

For CLEP credit in the following courses, students must score in the 75th percentile or higher:
POLA 210 American Government
CHEM 107 General Chemistry I
MATH 121 Calculus I
PSYC 100 Introduction to Psychology
SOCI 201 Foundations of Sociology

For CLEP credit in the following courses, students must earn an equivalent of a “B” grade:
BSAC 112 Elementary Accounting
BSBL 340 Legal Aspects of Business
CPST 120 Fundamentals of IS/IT
CSHM 201 Humanities
CSHS 101 Western Civilization I
CSHS 102 Western Civilization II
CSNA 201 Natural Sciences
BSMT 231 Principles of Management
BSMK 320 Introduction to Marketing Principles

For DSST credit in the following courses, students must score in the 75th percentile or higher:
MATH 111 Statistics
EENS 111 Physical Geology

For DSST credit in the following courses, students must earn an equivalent of a “B” grade:
WLHP 180 Fundamentals of Health
CSRL 333 Introduction to World Religions
SPEC 140 Persuasive Public Speaking
BSFN 221 Introduction to Finance
BSFN 331 Money and Banking
HRDV 333 Introduction to Human Resources
BSMT 334 Organizational Behavior

That's funny, because CLEP and DSST don't tell you what the percentiles are. So, your college is making up this percentile thing. All scores are scaled. So, a score of 50 is not 50%, is not 50 raw correct, or even the 50th percentile. Simply, you will never know your percentile, and CLEP won't tell you- that's not even public information. You simply get a numeric score. Your college should provide you with a numeric score minimum in order to earn credit- it's quite simple. Most colleges use the ACE suggested score of 50, but every now and again you'll see schools that want 55 or even 60.

Now, your college may possibly have a numeric requirement. For example, a score of 55 (as opposed to 50). My guess, is that whoever in advising wrote this policy has hardly any experience with CLEP or they are using the wrong word- maybe they don't mean percentile? See, a score of 75 in a CLEP exam is more likely to be in the 99th percentile. Your school is confused. You'll be standing in line with those of us who have had to educate the advisors on CLEP policy. See, and you thought this wouldn't be fun!