Credit by Institutional Exam (CBIE)
If you believe you can demonstrate mastery of the learning outcomes for a Kaua'i CC course, you can ask the course instructor to give you a comprehensive exam to test your knowledge. If you get a grade of C or higher on the exam, you will earn course credit. This process is also called "taking a challenge exam" or testing out of a course.
The exam can include a written component as well as skills or proficiency demonstrations. Please note that not every course is available for CBIE.
You are responsible for scheduling your exam if it will be held in the Testing Center. You will need to present a copy of the receipt for the test fee you paid to the Business Office, or the signed PLA application with the receipt attached at the time of the examination.
To apply to take an institutional exam, you must follow the procedures for applying for prior learning credit, including paying fees and securing agreement from the course instructor who will need to design or obtain an appropriate exam for you.
Standardized Testing
Standardized tests are national exams that allow you to demonstrate your proficiency in specific subject areas. To apply for credit by standardized testing, you must follow the procedures for applying for PLA credit. The Testing Center at Kaua'i CC offers some of these tests, including CLEP exams.
For specific instructions on how and where to take a standardized test and the fees involved, see your academic counselor and consult the websites listed below.
There are several types of standardized tests considered for acceptance at Kaua'i CC, including:
For a list of available CLEP tests, visit:
CLEP Exams (College Level Examination Program)
For a list of available ECE exams, visit:
Excelsior College Exam Program
For a list of AP subject area tests, visit:
Advanced Placement Examination Program
For a list of DSST exams, visit:
Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support
The IB Program is an internationally accepted qualification for entry into institutes of higher education, much like the AP program. Students who receive minimum scores of five or higher on IB exams may receive credit for the equivalent course.
Non-Collegiate Sponsored Education (NCSE)
NCSE is training you received somewhere other than at a college, such as through your job or military service. To receive credit, your NCSE training must have contained content equivalent to college-level work in a course offered at Kaua'i CC.
In some cases, Kaua'i CC may already have an agreement with the training institution, making it easy for you to receive credit. If no agreement already exists, you will need to demonstrate how your training equates to what you would have learned in the relevant Kaua'i CC course.
To apply to receive credit for non-collegiate sponsored education, you must follow the procedures for applying for prior learning credit, including paying fees and securing agreement from the course instructor who will need to review your training syllabus.
Portfolio Assessment
If you have extensive experience, you can create a portfolio that documents the learning you acquired through previous work
experience or training. Your portfolio must match your achievements to the learning outcomes of the courses for which you would like to get credit.
Portfolios require extensive documentation showing what you learned, how you learned it, what you achieved and how well you performed. This documentation includes a detailed overview written by you and concrete evidence, such as letters of endorsement by former employers, transcripts, certificates earned, photos of projects completed, and so on. Because preparing a portfolio is a complex process, you may opt to have a special tutor to guide you through the writing and preparation phases.
To apply to receive credit for portfolio assessment you must follow the procedures for applying for prior learning credit, starting with making an appointment with your academic counselor.