Exam Basics
Q: What exam should I take?
A: Ultimately, only you can decide which exam(s) best meet your goals. However, in
making your decision it is very important that you consult with your Admissions or
Academic Counselor who can help you choose an exam that will appropriately fit into
your chosen degree program. In addition, your Academic Counselor can direct you to study guides that can help you prepare for the exam.
Q: What exams does Charter Oak State College accept for credit?
A: Charter Oak State College accepts most (but not all) standardized exams. A chart
of all of the major test providers, along with their contact information, can be viewed
on the Exam Resources page.
Registering for / Taking Exams
Q. Where are the exams held?
A. Exams are held at:
Charter Oak State College
55 Paul J. Manafort Drive
New Britain, CT 06053-2150
(860) 515-3708
Directions
or
For other test centers please see our Exam Resources page.
Q: How do I register for an exam at Charter Oak State College?
A: All of our registration information can be viewed on the Exam Registration and Schedules page. We urge you to read all of this information carefully so you are clear on administration
fees, scheduling and test company information. Online registration is available through
PrepBlast for CLEP and DSST exams. If you are ready to register now, visit PrepBlast
Q: How soon should I register for an exam?
A: Testing sessions fill up quickly, so it is important you complete the appropriate
registration forms and pay the associated testing fees as soon as possible*. We suggest
the following lead times per testing company:
- Charter Oak State College exams - 5 weeks before the scheduled date
- CLEP sessions - at least 3 weeks before the scheduled date
- DSST exams - at least 2 weeks before the scheduled date
- TECEP exams - 7 weeks before the scheduled date
* Registration forms and fee information can be found in
Exam Registration and Schedules.
Q: How do I pay for an exam?
A: Each exam you take requires two fees, an administrative fee payable to Charter
Oak State College, and a testing fee paid to the test company. Only the Charter Oak
State College administrative fee can be paid by check, money order or charge. We're
sorry, but the testing staff cannot accept cash payments for exams. Each test company
(CLEP, DSST, etc.) has different specific requirements for payment of their exam fee.
Please refer to the registration information for each exam for the correct amounts and the accepted forms of payment. Read this
information carefully to avoid delay in processing your request.
Q: When are the exams offered at Charter Oak State College?
A: You may download a copy of the latest schedule at Exam Registration and Schedules.
Preparing for Exams
Q: How do I study for an exam?
A: The various test companies publish information describing their exams. You should
carefully review this information, as it is the best resource regarding exam content.
There is a wealth of information is on the CLEP and DANTES/DSST Web sites. In addition,
we have assembled a list of resources at Exam Resources.
Q: How long will it take to study for an exam?
A: Your study habits have a lot to do with the time needed. Most exams are worth 3
semester hours of college credit. We suggest that you provide yourself with ample
time that suits your learning style. Some test takers may be able to complete their
study in less than the time of a typical course. However, this varies by the individual.
The key to remember is "time" is not your focus. Learning the subject matter is what
counts.
Q: Where do I find the textbooks to study for the exam?
A: DSST includes a list of recommended books with their exam information. Barnes &
Noble, Amazon.com and other booksellers can special order any book you choose. CLEP
suggests that you contact a local college that offers a course comparable to the CLEP
exam you plan to take and find out what textbook(s) are required for that college's
course to help you prepare. Likewise, you may want to search Charter Oak's Online Courses to find the textbook information for courses in the subject-area that you are interested
in completing your exam. Most course materials can be purchased through Charter Oak's
Online Bookstore.
Q: I need more assistance to complete my self-study for a standardized exam. What
should I do?
A: Commercial test preparation guides are available in larger bookstores or online.
They may provide some secondary assistance in your study regimen. If you need even
more structure, you might consider the istudysmart study program.
Exam Scores/Credits
Q: I am a matriculated Charter Oak student, how do I have my exam score added to my
transcript?
A: In order for Charter Oak to receive your score, you must let the test company know
that Charter Oak State College is your designated score recipient. You will receive
an updated Status Report each time you have earned credit for exams. The Charter Oak
code for CLEP exams is 3292; for DSST it is 9928
Q: If I am not matriculated and do not plan to earn a degree at Charter Oak State
College, will you automatically place credits on a transcript?
A: No. If you are not matriculated (enrolled) at Charter Oak State College and would
like a transcript of credits for exam(s) passed, you will need to use our credit registry
service. Contact our Associate Registrar, Paul Morganti, at pmorganti@charteroak.edu or (860) 515-3823 for more information on this service. If you are matriculated at
another college you should have the test company send the score directly to your college.
Q: I took my exam at Charter Oak State College; do you have the score?
A: Not necessarily. Charter Oak State College is only a test center for your exam.
We will only be sent your score if you specifically tell the test company that Charter
Oak State College should be a score recipient. If you have not designated Charter
Oak State College as your score recipient, you will need to contact the test company
directly to access your score.
Q: How long does it take to receive my exam score?
A: CLEP scores are shown immediately (with the exception of English Composition with
Essay) with the official scores mailed from CLEP in approximately two weeks. DSST
scores are sent approximately 4 weeks after the test date. Charter Oak State College
results are issued in about two weeks and TECEP results take two months.
Q: If I don't pass an exam, when can I re-take it?
A: In most cases, you will need to wait at least 6 months to re-take an exam.
Q: What score do I need to pass?
A: The American Council on Education (ACE) recommends that each standardized test
have a cut-off score. However, each institution has its own policy on accepting exams
and the scores required. CLEP exams have a cut-off score of 50 for credit awards;
DSST exams' cut-off scores range from 45-52, depending on the exam. Charter Oak State
College uses the ACE-recommended passing scores to award credit. If you are not a
Charter Oak student, check with your home institution for its policy.
Q: Will Charter Oak State College provide a grade for passing my exam?
A: Because DSST exams are standardized, normed exams, Charter Oak State College will
issue a grade for passing those exams. CLEP exams are not scored in the same manner
and therefore no grade other than "P" (pass) can be issued for CLEP exams.
Q: Do exams offer different levels of credit?
A: Yes. Exams are offered at different levels of difficulty. The chart below indicates
the level as they are typically designated by test providers:
| B/L |
Basic or Lower (introductory) Level |
| I |
Intermediate Level |
| U |
Upper (junior/senior) Level |
| B, I, U |
Combination of Basic, Intermediate, Upper Level |
Note: you can use the General Education Course Search to locate exams and courses based on Lower or Upper levels. This is important since
Charter Oak State College degree concentrations require attainment of both upper and
lower level credits.
