INSTRUCTIONS FOR TAKING CHALLENGE TESTS
The Department of Information Systems and Technology does not offer experiential credit. However, students may take the initiative to “challenge” nearly every course offered by the IS&T department. It is expected that a student ALREADY has knowledge of the course’s subject when they desire to challenge the course. Students should not expect faculty members to tutor or help prepare them for the challenge tests. It is the student’s responsibility alone to prepare for the challenge tests.
Challenge tests are available to students during Fall and Spring semesters, and by faculty pre-approval during summer session. During the first and last two weeks of any given semester, challenge tests are administered at the discretion of the department depending on availability of staff and/or faculty to administer and grade the challenge tests. Additionally, challenge tests can only be taken ONCE!
The following information will provide you with step-by-step instructions for taking any of the challenge examinations offered by the UVU Department of Information Systems & Technology (IS&T). If,after you have read through these instructions,you have additional questions; please contact Cheryl Levi, Administrative Assistant, Information Systems & Technology, CS 601, 801-863-8182.
- Do you qualify to take a challenge exam? If you can answer “No” to the following questions, you are eligible to take the challenge exam. If you answer “yes” to any of these questions, you may not take the challenge exam.
Yes / No / Qualification
/ / Are you currently enrolled in the course you want to challenge?
/ / Have you ever taken this course before, at this or at any other institution?
/ / Have you ever withdrawn from this course and received any grade (including a “W”) on your transcript?
/ / Have you already challenged more than 13 credits that will count toward your (AAS) major graduation requirements?
/ / Have you already challenged more than 27 credits that will count toward your (Bachelor's) major graduation requirements?
/ / Have you ever taken this challenge test before? (Challenge tests CANNOT be retaken.)
- What does it cost to take a challenge exam?
Fee Description / Amount / Instructions
Administrative Fee / $15.00 / This must be paid at ONESTOP BEFORE taking the test.
Proctoring Fee / $15.00
(add $5.00 for
IM challenge tests) / The test will be administered in the IS&T Testing/Tutoring Center. You will pay this fee to the attendant when you take the test.
Purchase of Credits / $5.00/credit / When you pass an IM test with a score of 80% or better;(or pass an INFO or IT test with a score of 70% or better), you may purchase the credits for the course at $5.00 per credit. In most cases, that will be $5.00 x 3 = $15.00.
Revised 11/15/2018
- How do I know what I will be tested on?
Check-off / Instructions
/ Talk withyour Academic Advisor, or Cheryl Levi, the Administrative Assistant, in CS 601. A study guide is available for some challenge tests. For other challenge tests, you will be instructed to visit with the course mentor or to study the textbook for the course.
Revised 11/15/2018
- So, how do I get started?
Check-off / Step # / Description
/ Step 1 / Contact your Academic Advisor, orCheryl Leviin the Information Systems & Technology department at 801-863-8182, to let he/she know that you are interested in takinga challenge test for one or more IM, INFO,or ITcourses. Your Advisor, or Cheryl, will give you a copy of the study guide (if available) for the test(s) you wish to challenge. Study guides are only available for some courses.
/ Step 2 / Next, visitthe IS&T Testing/Tutoring Center in CS 615A, or call 801-863-8431, to schedule a day and time for taking your test. After scheduling your test, you will receive an e-mail confirming your appointment. This e-mail will also give you instructions for paying the $15.00 Administrative fee.
/ Step 3 / If you wish to challenge a course, it is assumed that you are already familiar the content of the course through completing another similar course or perhaps through work experience. However, a study guide (available in some cases) can be helpfulin preparing to take the test. You may also want to purchase or borrow the current textbook as an additional study aide.
/ Step 4 / Pay your Administrative fee BEFORE taking the challenge test. This is done at the Cashier’s office in the Administration building, or on line (see the instructions in your confirmation e-mail).
/ Step 5 / Take the test in the IS&T Testing/Tutoring Center– CS 616. It is helpful to inform Cheryl when you have completed the test. Remember that challenge tests can only be taken once!
/ Step 6 / When taking the IM 1010 & 2010 challenge tests, you will receive your score at the end of your test. For other IM or INFO & IT challenge tests, you will be informed of your test score via a call, text, or e-mail within 1 to 2 businessdays of completing the challenge test.
/ Step 7 / You must score80% or better to pass the IM course challenge exams. If you pass, you will receive an e-mail confirming your score. This e-mail will also be sent to our Academic Advisor, Julie Harps, who will enter an override for this course. Purchasing the credits for some IM challengedcourse is optional. If you desire to purchase the credits, please tell the proctor in the testing lab when you schedule your test. You may purchase the credits on line the same way you paid your Administrative fee for taking the challenge test.
/ Step 8 / You must score70% or better to pass theINFO or ITchallenge tests.You must purchase the credits for these courses when you pass the test. You may purchase these credits on line the same way you paid your Administrative fee for taking the challenge test.
- How much time should I allow to take the test?
Challenge tests will thoroughly test your knowledge of the subject covered in the course. Allow yourself plenty of time to complete the test in one sitting. Once you start the test, you must complete it. You may not leave and return to complete the test later.
If you have additional questions after you have read through these instructions, please feel free to contact Cheryl Levi, Administrative Assistant, Information Systems & Technology, CS 601, 801-863-8182.
Revised 11/15/2018