Credit by Exam

Credit by examination refers to examinations given by various external agencies, such as the College Board's Advanced Placement (AP) Program and College-Level Examination Program (CLEP), DSST Exams, and others. Click the links below for information about required scores and course equivalencies.

AP
The College Board's AP program, gives students the chance to do earn college credit for work done while in high school.

International Baccalaureate (IB)
Students who have earned the IB diploma with a score of 30 or higher, will receive 30 credits.  Students who have completed the diploma with a score of 29 or less, and students who did not complete a diploma will be awarded credit for higher-level IB exams with a score of 5 or higher. (CUNY Registrar Policy & Procedure, June 28, 2017)

CLEP
CLEP exams, also from College Board, are offered in over 30 subjects and can be used to fulfill requirements in majors, minors, or general education, or to earn elective credits. Cost: approximately $100.

DSST
DSST exams from Prometric Inc. are also offered in over 30 subjects and can be used to fulfill requirements in majors, minors, or general education, or to earn elective credits. Cost: approximately $100 (free for eligible military service members).

NYU Foreign Language (12-point) Proficiency Exams
Grounded in the guidelines established by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL), NYU offers proficiency exams for more than 30 languages. Credits awarded vary based on exam score.

Students who have modern language competency can also satisfy the Gen Ed Foreign Language Requirement by taking a placement exam in the college’s Modern Language Center.

For more information, click here.

Other Exams
John Jay College will award a maximum of 15 credits of prior learning credit for passing other exams that have credit recommendations by the American Council on Education (ACE).  Only blanket credit will be awarded for these tests (i.e. Com 1) which cannot be used to satisfy general education, major, minor or certificate requirements.  These credits can be applied to move students closer to the 120 overall credits to earn a bachelor’s degree.