Challenge course? Earn college credit!

One common way to gain credit quickly is to try to obtain college credit by challenging a course. Many institutions have a system in place by which a student may obtain a credit without actually participating in the course – if they pass a specific and tailored test. This test is not necessarily standardized, and is based heavily on the lectures and course work. You may get a copy of the course syllabus and the textbooks in order to study, and if you pass the exam you will receive the credit for the entire course.

Departmental exams – Challenge course in specific discipline

These exams are also referred to as departmental exams. The procedures for taking these tests vary from institution to institution, so it is important to check the rules and regulations before petitioning to write a course challenge exam. They usually do not cost anything to take, but the tests themselves are exhaustive – they cover a lot of material that you may have no personal knowledge of. These exams are best suited for a student who has taken a similar course at another institution, but cannot transfer the credit over.

College credit for life experience beyond challenge course credit

There are many ways that you can use your current education, life experience and knowledge to gain credits at university or college. Even if you have no formal education past high school, there are portfolio and life experience options as well as the challenge course option already discussed.

If nothing in this college credit for life experience series has helped you decide how to approach accelerating your college or university education, check out some of our online college reviews of colleges offering college credit for life experience.

There are options for everyone to get even a few credits added to their college or university education, and it is definitely worth your time to research. Whatever your life situation is, chances are you have a unique and valuable skill – don’t let this just lie dormant. Use your expertise to its full potential, and get some college credits out of it. By using online programs, life experience credit, testing for credit and course challenge credit, you can add dozens of credits to your transcript in a few short months, and jump forward a year or two towards your goal of graduation.