External Standardized Examinations

Applicants must submit:

  • Official test score reports from testing agencies: College Entrance Examination Board Advanced Placement Program, College-Level Equivalency Program, etc.
  • Official transcripts if credit by examinations were earned at other regionally accredited institutions.

 

Students may not earn more than 32 total hours from any testing equivalency source.

College-level Examination Program (CLEP) Credit

TSC recognizes the credit-granting scores recommended by the American Council on Education (ACE). No credit will be awarded until the student has successfully completed at least six semester credit hours of course credit from TSC.

Students taking the CLEP test will earn equivalent college credit from TSC when attaining the scores indicated. No grade will be assigned for the corresponding course. CLEP credit is not applied to the transcript until the student has successfully completed six semester credit hours at TSC.

Advanced Placement (AP) Credit

Students taking the AP test will earn equivalent college credit from TSC when attaining the scores indicated. No grade will be assigned for the corresponding course. AP credit is not applied to the transcript until the student has successfully completed six semester credit hours at TSC. Scores are valid for five years from the date of testing.

Advanced Technical Credit (ATC)

To receive college credit for an ATC Statewide articulation course, a student must earn a minimum grade of a “B.” To receive college credit for an ATC statewide articulation course, a student must complete the course as a Junior (11th grade) or Senior (12th grade). The student should enroll in a public two-year institution within 15 months of high school graduation. The student must declare a specific program of study to receive a specific course taken during high school. The appropriate dean will approve or deny courses after turning in a Petition for Award of Advanced Credit to the Office of Admissions and Records.

The student must notify the Office of Admissions and Records of ATC course work. The Office of Admissions and Records is not responsible for initiating any process after the high school transcript has been submitted.

For further information, students should contact the Office of Admissions and Records.

International Baccalaureate Diploma (IBD)

The IBD is an international program of courses and exams offered at the high school level. In keeping with Senate Bill 111, TSC will grant (CR) credit for IB exams with certain required scores. TSC students may be eligible to receive up to 24 hours of credit for courses completed with a minimum test score of four in either the Standard Level (SL) or Higher Level (HL) subject group examinations. However, course credit does not have to be awarded on any IB exams where the score received is a three or less. This may mean that such students will not receive 24 hours of college credit, even if they have an IB diploma.

 

Prior to the award of credit for IB Diplomas or certificates, the student:

  1. Must meet all admissions requirements of the College.
  2. Must have earned six hours of credit with TSC.
  3. Must submit an official IB diploma or certificate to the TSC Testing Office and request examination scores directly from the International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO).
  4. Must have received at least a minimum score of four on the curriculum subject examination.
  5. Must show proof of meeting the Texas Success Initiative (TSI) requirements prior to their enrollment.

TSC students requesting diploma evaluations should consider the total number of qualifying credits to be awarded. Additional hours above the required amount to graduate may have an adverse impact on students' financial aid or other grant programs. In addition, students who have completed courses in the IBD program but who have not received the diploma may also receive college credit for completion of IBD courses with a score of four on the IBD examination.

Prior Learning Credit

The assessment of prior learning may be requested for specific technical programs by individuals seeking to obtain college-level credit for previous training or work-related experience. Sources of prior learning may include the following:

  • Certification/licensure/credentials equivalents
  • Military service
  • Workforce experience
  • Professional training
  • Open-source learning
  • Internal credit by exam
  • External exams (such as CLEP, AB, IP)

After admission to TSC, students should consult with their enrollment coach to determine whether prior learning may be applicable for college credit. Students must be enrolled in the current semester for which they are applying for prior learning credit.