The Test Center provides students with the opportunity to receive college credit by demonstrating their knowledge of a particular subject area. Passing these examinations earns college credit at HCC or other institutions of higher learning. We offer the College-Level Examination Program® (CLEP) and DSST.
HCC Students: If you have questions about whether your CLEP or DSST test grants college credit or need assistance with the form, please contact the Office of Admissions & Advising.
- The College-Level Examination Program® (CLEP) provides the opportunity to receive college credit for earning qualifying scores on 34 computer-based examinations. There are 2,900 colleges and universities that grant credit for CLEP exams.
- The DSST program provides the opportunity for you to earn college credit for what you have learned outside of the traditional classroom by computer-based examinations. The program is accepted or administered at over 1,900 colleges and universities nationwide and approved by ACE (American Council on Education).
- CLEP and DSST test administration is available year-round on Tuesdays through Thursdays from 2:00pm to 5:00 pm, except during finals weeks, peak placement exam times, and campus closures. You can see our most up-to-date hours here.
- To schedule an in-person appointment, please do so at Register Blast.
In order to ensure credit for CLEP and DSST exams, students, including HCC students, are advised to contact their institution’s admissions or advising offices prior to taking an exam to determine the appropriate exam and required score.
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CLEP Test
Prior to sitting for your exam, please take the following steps to ensure a smooth process:
- Contact your institution's Admissions and Advising department to learn the appropriate exam and score accepted by the institution.
- Set up an account at the College Board and purchase your exam. Be sure to register your name exactly as it appears on your government-issued photo ID, including any hyphenated names.
- Go to www.registerblast.com/howardcc and choose the following from the drop-down menus: On-Campus Testing ->On-Campus: Credit by Exam-> CLEP to make your appointment.
- Pay a $30 proctoring fee to the Howard Community College Cashier's Office, located in room 200A of the Rouse Company Foundation Student Services Hall (RCF), or by calling 443-518-1862. Payment may be made by cash, money order, or credit card.
- Bring a valid picture identification such as a driver’s license or passport. The name on your registration must exactly match the name on your government ID.
- You can view the Howard Community College CLEP Credit Table for more information.
- Upon successful completion of the CLEP test, you must submit a Transcript Evaluation form to receive credit towards your degree.
CLEP has a 90-day re-test policy.
Modern States offers free online, on-demand courses in each CLEP subject.
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DSST Exam
The DSST program enables people to use knowledge acquired outside the classroom to accomplish their educational and professional goals. Prior to taking your exam, take the following steps to ensure a smooth process:
- Contact your institution's Admissions and Advising department for the appropriate exam type and score.
- Go to Register Blast . Choose ->On-Campus Testing ->On-Campus: Credit by Exam-> DSST
- A $100 exam fee, charged by the test organization Prometric, must be paid at the time of test administration using a major credit card.
- An additional $30 proctoring fee must be paid to the Howard Community College Cashier's Office, located in room 200A of the Rouse Company Foundation Student Services Hall (RCF), or by calling 443-518-1862. Payment may be made by cash, money order, or credit card.
- Prior to the test administration, all test takers must present current and valid picture identification such as a driver’s license or passport.
- Upon successful completion of the exam, you must submit a Transcript Evaluation Form to receive credit towards your degree.
DSST has a 30-day re-take policy.
