Credit by Exam Guidelines

The Credit by Exam (CBE) has to be administered in the format of a final comprehensive exam covering all skills that are taught in the course (reading, writing, listening, speaking) and should solely be offered on a case-by-case basis for upper-level, proficiency-based courses when no other viable options (such as a Special Problems course) are available. Before the CBE can be taken, students are required to seek approval from the departmental Chair and the instructor who administers the exam. It is also recommended that students schedule an appointment with their advisor to ensure the CBE is taken according to the UNT Catalog Limitations (see the information below). If students pass the CBE, they earn credit for the course but no letter or pass/fail grade is entered on their transcripts.

UNT Catalog Limitations on Credit by Exam and Advanced Placement Credit

Students who are earning credit through the placement exam or other types of credit by exam should be aware of limits to how they can apply the hours they earn. Of note, credit by exam:

  • may not be used to reduce the general degree requirement of completing a minimum of 30 semester hours in residence on the UNT campus;
  • may not be used to reduce the general degree requirement of completing at least 24 semester hours of advanced work at UNT;
  • may not be used to reduce the general degree requirement of completing at least 12 advanced hours in the major at UNT;
  • may not be earned in any course the student has previously completed at any university; and
  • may not be earned in any course prerequisite to another course in the same subject for which the student has previously earned credit.