Credit Awarded by Exam
Tennessee Tech awards credit for certain examinations and courses. Students may obtain credit through a high score on the ACT test, Advanced Placement exams, the College Level Examination Program (CLEP), International Baccalaureate (IB) diplomas and courses, and Statewide Dual Credit.
For full details on what credit is available, and what scores are required to earn those credits, select the exam or course you participated in from the list below:
- » ACT
Entering students and regularly enrolled students may obtain credit in certain courses by obtaining high ACT scores or equivalent SAT scores:
ACT English sub-test score of 27-30: ENGL 1010
ACT English sub-test score of 31 or higher: ENGL 1010 and ENGL 1020
Credit obtained through high test scores on ACT, SAT, CLEP and PLTW receive a grade of “S” for satisfactory and does not affect the student’s GPA. Up to 60 semester hours of credit may be obtained through any combination of AP tests, military equivalency credits, correspondence courses, special departmental examinations, and extension courses.
- » Advanced Placement (AP)
Students who have taken Advanced Placement exams may receive credit for select courses based on the score they achieved. Credit obtained through high test scores on ACT, SAT, CLEP and PLTW receive a grade of “S” for satisfactory and does not affect the student’s GPA. Up to 60 semester hours of credit may be obtained through any combination of AP tests, military equivalency credits, correspondence courses, special departmental examinations, and extension courses.
Below is a complete list of Advanced Placement exams accepted by Tennessee Tech and the classes awarded.
AP Examination Score Course Exemption Semester
Hours2-D Art and Design 4 ART lower-division elective 3 3-D Art and Design 4 ART lower-division elective 3 Art History 4 ART 1030 3 Biology 3 BIOL 1010 or BIOL 1113 4 4 BIOL 1010 & 1020 or BIOL 1113 & 1123 8 Precalculus 3 MATH 1730 5 Calculus AB 3 MATH 1830 3 4 MATH 1910 4 Calculus AB Subscore 3 Math 1830 3 Calculus BC 3 MATH 1910 & 1920 8 Chemistry (Non-STEM major) 3 CHEM 1010 4 4 CHEM 1010 + 1020 8 5 CHEM 1010 & 1020 8 Chemistry (STEM major) 4 CHEM 1110 8 5 CHEM 1110 + CHEM 1120 8 Computer Science A 3 CSC 1200 3 Computer Science Principles 3 CSC 1200 3 Drawing 4 ART lower-division elective 3 Economics: Microeconomics 3 ECON 2010 3 Economics: Macroeconomics 3 ECON 2020 3 English Language and Composition 3 ENGL 1010 3 4 ENGL 1010 & 1020 6 Environmental Science 3 ESS lower-division elective 4 English Literature and Composition 3 ENGL 2235 and ENGL SO1B 6 European History 3 HIST 2210 & 2220 6 World History: Modern 3 HIST 2310 & 2320 6 French Language and Culture 3 FREN 1010 & 1020 6 4 FREN 1010, 1020 & 2010 9 5 FREN 1010, 1020, 2010 & 2020 12 German Language and Culture 3 GERM 1010 & 1020 6 4 GERM 1010, 1020 & 2010 9 5 GERM 1010, 1020, 2010 & 2020 12 Government and Politics: United States 3 POLS 1030 3 Human Geography 3 GEOG 1012 3 Spanish Language and Culture 3 SPAN 1010 & 1020 6 4 SPAN 1010, 1020 & 2010 9 5 SPAN 1010, 1020, 2010 & 2020 12 Statistics 3 MATH 1530 3 Physics 1: Algebra-Based 3 PHYS 2010 4 Physics 2: Algebra-Based 3 PHYS 2020 4 Physics C: Mechanics 3 PHYS 2010 or 2110 4 Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism 3 PHYS 2020 or 2120 4 Psychology 3 PSY 1030 3 United States History 3 HIST 2010 & 2020 6 - » College Level Examination Program (CLEP)
Credit obtained through high test scores on ACT, SAT, CLEP and PLTW receive a grade of “S” for satisfactory and does not affect the student’s GPA. Up to 60 semester hours of credit may be obtained through any combination of AP tests, military equivalency credits, correspondence courses, special departmental examinations, and extension courses.
CLEP (College Level Examination Program)
Students may wish to earn credit by examination for prior knowledge they have in an area of study. One way to obtain credit based on examination is to take course examinations in the CLEP. Students may receive credit for certain CLEP examinations with an acceptable score. Credit is not given for the general examinations. For information on specific tests and credit awarded, see the table at the bottom of the page.PLTW (Project Lead the Way Credit)
ENGR 1210 (1 credit hour) will be awarded to secondary school students who participate in “Project Lead the Way” and achieved a minimum grade of 70% on the nationalized “Final Exam on Principles of Engineering.” The requesting student will need to have their scores sent to Tennessee Tech.Credit by Examination
A student who has had sufficient training or experience in a subject to merit the establishment of credit by comprehensive examination, but who has not enrolled in the same, comparable, or higher-level course at the college level, may request the privilege of taking a special examination prepared by the department involved. A grade will be recorded on their permanent record.Non-Credit Courses and Professional Certification
Academic credit may be awarded on occasion for professional certification or non-credit courses. Requests for the award of such credit must be submitted to the appropriate department chairpersons. As the executor of departmental policy, they will evaluate the request and submit a recommendation to the college dean and Office of Records for final approval.- Guideline for Earning CLEP Credit
- A maximum of 60 semester hours of credit may be obtained by any combination of correspondence courses, extension courses, special departmental examinations, advanced placement, or military equivalency credits. This includes the CLEP testing program.
- Transfer students must meet the same guidelines. CLEP credit earned at another institution may not necessarily be transferred as credit to Tennessee Tech.
- When the student passes the CLEP test, a grade of “S” for satisfactory is placed on the transcript. No grade is awarded if the score is not passing. This CLEP credit does not affect the student’s GPA.
- Tennessee Tech does not guarantee the transferability of CLEP credit to other institutions. Certain professional schools either have no policy with regard to CLEP credit or will not accept such credit, especially for courses normally requiring laboratory work.
- Students may not take the CLEP exam to replace a grade.
- Register for the CLEP Exam
- First, examinees must use the CLEP website at clep.collegeboard.org/started to register for the exam. Follow the online instructions for registration.
- Next, sign up for a date to take the exam at the Tennessee Tech Testing Center for a fee of $25 per test. This payment is due before day the exam is administered. You can choose your testing day and pay this fee at epay.tntech.edu.
Scaled Scores on CLEP Tests and Equivalent Tech Courses and Credits
Effective September 1, 2019Examination Required Minimum Score Tennessee Tech Course Credit Financial Accounting 50 ACCT 2110 3 Biology 50 BIOL 1010 & 1020 or BIOL 1113 & 1123 8 Human Growth and Development 50 HEC 2200 3 Chemistry 50 CHEM 1010 & 1020 or CHEM 1110 & 1120 8 Information Systems* 50 DS 2810 3 Microeconomics, Principles of 50 ECON 2010 3 Macroeconomics, Principles of 50 ECON 2020 3 Educational Psychology, Introduction to 50 PSY 2210 3 College Composition** 50 ENGL 1010 & 1020 6 American Literature 50 ENGL 2130, Sophomore Literature 6 English Literature 50 ENGL 2235, Sophomore Literature 6 French Language, College-Level (2 and 4 semesters) 50 FREN 1010 & 1020 6 59 FREN 1010, 1020, 2010 & 2020 12 German Language, College-Level (2 and 4 semesters) 50 GERM 1010 & 1020 6 60 GERM 1010, 1020, 2010 & 2020 12 Western Civilization I: Ancient Near East to 1648 50 HIST 2210 3 Western Civilization II: 1648 to Present 50 HIST 2220 3 History of the United States I: Early Colonization to 1877 50 HIST 2010 3 History of the United States II: 1865 to Present 50 HIST 2020 3 Precalculus 50 MATH 1710 3 Calculus 50 MATH 1910 4 American Government 50 POLS 1030 3 Psychology, Introductory 50 PSY 1030 3 Sociology, Introductory 50 SOC 1010 3 Spanish Language, College-Level (2 and 4 semesters) 50 SPAN 1010 & 1020 6 63 SPAN 1010, 1020, 2010 & 2020 12 Spanish with Writing (Level 1) 50 SPAN 1010 and 1020 6 Spanish with Writing (Level 2) 65 SPAN 1010, 1020, 2010 and 2020 12 *To receive credit for the examination, the exam must be taken prior to enrolling in basic engineering, decision science or computer science course.
**The CLEP essay is required. - Guideline for Earning CLEP Credit
- » International Baccalaureate (IB)
Tennessee Tech recognizes the International Baccalaureate diploma and individual IB courses by awarding credit on IB higher-level examinations. Some standard-level examinations may also be considered for credit.
Standard-Level IB Courses
IB Course Minimum Score Tech Course Credit Art A 4 Art Studio Elective 3 5 ART 1035 3 6 - 7 ART 1035, Studio Elective 6 Art B 5 - 7 ART 1035 3 Biology 6 - 7 BIOL 1010 & 1020 or BIOL 1113 & 1123 8 Chemistry 5 - 7 CHEM 1010 & 1020 8 Economics 6 - 7 ECON 2010 & 2020 6 French A1 6 FREN 1010 & 1020 6 7 FREN 2010 & 2020 6 Further Mathematics No credit awarded. German A1 6 GERM 1010 & 1020 6 7 GERM 2010 & 2020 6 Language A1 6 ENGL 1010 3 7 ENGL 1010 & 1020 6 Math Analysis and Approaches SL 6 MATH 1710 & 1830 6 Math Applications and Interpretations SL No credit awarded. Mathematical Studies No credit awarded. Mathematics 5 MATH 1710 3 6 MATH 1710 & 1830 6 Mathematics SL 6 MATH 1710 & 1830 6 5 MATH 1710 3 Mathematics Methods SL 6 MATH 1000 3 Mathematics Studies SL 6 MATH 1000 3 Music A 5 No credit awarded. 6 - 7 MUS 1030 3 Philosophy No credit awarded. Physics No credit awarded. Psychology 5 - 7 PSY 1030 3 Spanish 6 SPAN 1010 & 1020 6 7 SPAN 2010 & 2020 6 Theatre Arts 5 - 7 THEA 1030 3 Higher-Level IB Courses
IB Course Minimum Score Tech Course Credit Art 5 Studio Elective 3 6-7 Up to 6 credits Studio Elective with portfolio review. Biology 5-7 BIOL 1010 & 1020 or BIOL 1113 & 1123 8 Chemistry 5-7 CHEM 1110 & 1120 8 Economics 5-7 ECON 2010 & 2020 6 French A1 5 FREN 1010 & 1020 6 6-7 FREN 2010 & 2020 6 Further Mathematics HL 6 MATH 1000 & 1710 6 German A1 5 GERM 1010 & 1020 6 6-7 GERM 2010 & 2020 6 History 5-7 Lower-Division History Elective 3 Language A1 5 ENGL 1010 3 6-7 ENGL 1010 & 1020 6 Mathematics 5-7 MATH 1730 & 1910 9 Mathematics HL 5 MATH 1730 & 1910 9 Math Analysis and Approaches HL 7 MATH 1730 & 1910 9 Math Applications and Interpretations HL 6 MATH 1710 & 1830 6 Philosophy 5-7 PHIL 1030 3 Physics 5-7 PHYS 2010 & 2020 8 Spanish A1 5 SPAN 1010 & 1020 6 6-7 SPAN 2010 & 2020 6 Theatre Arts 5-7 THEA 1030 3 - » Statewide Dual Credit Challenge
Tennessee Tech awards credit for certain Statewide Dual Credit courses. Students who have earned credit by exam should email transfer@tntech.edu so credit can be officially awarded.
Statewide Dual Credit Course Tech Course Introduction to Agriculture Business AGBE 2100 2013 - 2016 American History HIST 2020 2017 Introduction to Business Business Elective 2023 College Algebra MATH 1130 2013 - 2015 Greenhouse Management AGRN 1100 & 1110 2013 - 2016 Precalculus MATH 1730 2015 Principles of Marketing Business Elective 2023 Psychology PSY 2010/1030 2016 Sociology SOC 1010 2014 - 2017 Introduction to Sociology SOC 1010 2017 Speech and Communications COMM 2025 2017 Statistics MATH 1530 2015 World History HIST 2320 2016 Note: Students that earned credits in courses that were changed or retired are still eligible to receive credit.
- » Cambridge International
Exam Level Minimum Score Tech Course Credit Biology A C or better BIOL 1010, 1020 or 1113, 1123 8 Biology AS C or better BIOL 1010 or 1113 4 Chemistry A C or better CHEM 1110, 1120 8 Chemistry AS C or better CHEM 1110 4 English Language A C or better ENGL 1010, 1020 6 Literature in English A C or better ENGL 2130, 2235 or 2330 3 Language and Literature in English A C or better ENGL 2130, 2235 or 2330 3 History A or AS C or better History Elective 3 Mathematics A C or better MATH 1730, MATH elective (1 credit hour) 6 Mathematics AS C or better MATH 1710 3 Marine Science A D or better Biology elective 4 Music A D or better MUS 1030 3 Music AS D or better MUS 1030 3 Psychology AS A or better PSY 1030 3
If you have questions about what credit may transfer, or can’t find your exam listed, contact the Admissions Office for assistance at admissions@tntech.edu.
