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Test Center

Prior Learning Assessment

General Information 
CLEP Exams
DANTES Exams
Portfolio Assessment
Division Exams
Excelsior Exams
Advanced Placement Exams
International Baccalaureate Organization
Registering for Credit by Exam

General Information

For a complete listing of all exams for which Harford Community College awards credit and links to study material, click here.

  • Prior learning assessment is a means of obtaining college credit for knowledge gained on the job or through individual study.
  • Students at HCC can earn as many as 30 credits by examination or a combination of examination and portfolio assessment.
  • Exams include College Level Examination Program (CLEP) exams, DSST exams, an Excelsior College exam, and division exams.
  • Credit for prior learning is not posted to the student’s record until the student has successfully completed at least one three-credit course in residence at Harford Community College.
  • HCC students are encouraged to see an academic advisor to determine how prior learning may fit into their programs of study and to determine if credits earned in this manner will transfer.
  • Students from other colleges who are taking a CLEP or DANTES exam at HCC are responsible for selecting the correct exams for their institution. 
  • Advanced placement standing may be awarded to students who have completed AP exams with qualifying scores.

CLEP Exams

CLEP Web Site

PLEASE NOTE:  Effective July 1, 2008, the CLEP fee increased to $70.  The HCC service fee remains $25.  Total fees for CLEP are $95. 

CLEP is a computer-based test. This means we can offer testing at frequent and convenient times and produce a score report (except for exams involving essays) immediately. Call us at 410-836-4352 to register for your CLEP exam or register using our online registration form.  We will schedule testing most days of the week and some Saturdays.  

The Test Center is an open center for CLEP examinations. If you are a student at HCC or any other college, you may take your CLEP exam at the Test Center.  Students receive unofficial results immediately from all CLEP exams except those involving an essay.  An official score report is then sent to your college.  Students must bring appropriate payment with them on the test date or they will not be permitted to test.   Cost per exam is $95 dollars. Two separate payments are required for the CLEP exam: a check payable to HCC for $25, the other payment to CLEP for $70.  CLEP and HCC strongly encourage candidates to use a major credit card for the $70 payment.  Bring this credit card with you on your test date.  

If you are taking an exam for which an optional essay is available (Freshman College Composition, Analyzing and Interpreting Literature, American Literature or English Literature), you must know if your school requires the optional essay.  You must also know the passing score required by your school on the objective portion of the test.  After completing and passing the objective portion of the test, you will then pay an additional $10 fee and the essay portion of the exam will be ordered for you.  You will write the essay at a later date. 

If you are a veteran, you may be eligible for reimbursement of CLEP fees.  Please visit this site www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/clep/veterans.html
for more information. 

More information about the computer-based test can be found at the Collegeboard On-Line. Test preparation materials for CLEP are available at the HCC Library circulation desk (ask for the CLEP Study Guide) or from the Collegeboard On-Line Store.

DSST (formerly DANTES) Exams

DSST Web Site

The DSST is a computer-based test. This means we can offer testing at frequent and convenient times and produce a score report (except for exams involving essays) immediately. Call us at 410-836-4352 to register for your DSST exam or register using our online registration form.  We will schedule testing most days of the week and some Saturdays. The Test Center is an open center for DSST examinations. If you are a student at HCC or any other college, you may take your DSST exam at the Test Center. DSST exams are scheduled individually.  Cost per exam is $95. On test day, students must payment of $25 for the HCC fee; this fee is payable by check or charge. The $70 DSST fee must be paid by credit card.  Students must bring payment with them on the test date or they will not be permitted to test. Students may view results immediately after completing the computer-based DSST exam; official results are sent to colleges in three to four weeks after the test date.  Exams requiring optional essays will require evaluation of the essay before results are determined.  

Test preparation materials for DSST exams are available online at www.getcollegecredit.com or at the HCC Library circulation desk (ask for the DSST (DANTES) Study Guide).

Portfolio Assessment

Portfolio assessment is a process by which up to 15 credits may be earned for learning acquired through work, volunteering, independent study, or many other means.  The process involves two required courses, APL 101 and 102, during which you will explore adult learning theory and your own life path and experiences.  You will learn to articulate those experiences in a way that delineates the learning you have acquired.  After completion of APL 102 (which may be repeated for additional work with the instructor), your portfolio will be submitted for review to expert faculty evaluators who will determine if your learning meets college-level criteria.  There are additional fees for the submission process.  English 101 is a prerequisite for APL 101.  Permission from the Coordinator for Assessment Services is required prior to enrolling in APL 101.  For more information, contact the Coordinator for Assessment Services at 410-836-4366.

Division Exams

Faculty at Harford Community College create division examinations for certain courses. These exams are scheduled on an individual basis. You must register for division exams at least two weeks prior to their desired test date. Cost per exam is $40. Most division exams require a faculty appointment prior to taking the examination. Contact the Test Center at 410-836-4352 for the correct faculty contact. Some division exams require a hands-on portion as well as a written exam, and some require a portfolio of work. If you plan to transfer, you should meet with an academic advisor to ascertain whether a division exam will transfer to another college or university. You will receive division exam results in 4-6 weeks.

Study material for division exams is generally the course syllabus and textbook for the course that is being challenged. Contact the Test Center for details.

Excelsior College Exam

Excelsior College Web Site  

Harford Community College accepts the Excelsior College (formerly Regents) exam for Abnormal Psychology. The Test Center is not a test site for these exams. Please visit the Excelsior College web site for assistance in registering for this exam.

Advanced Placement Exams

Advanced Placement Exams

Harford Community College grants credit for many Advanced Placement tests. These tests are typically administered while the student is in high school. Contact Darlene Anderson in the Registration and Records office for information on AP credit.

International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO)

IBO Web Site

International Baccalaureate Organization courses may be awarded credit for courses at Harford Community College.  The minimum grade for granting credit is 4 for higher level IBO courses and 6 for standard level IBO courses.  Students should submit official IBO transcripts to the Registration and Records Office for the transcripts to be evaluated.

Registering for Credit by Exam

You may register on-line or by phone for CLEP, DSST or Division Exams. You may also register in person at the Test Center, Fallston Hall, Room 105. Students registering on-line or by phone must bring payment as outlined above on the test date or the test will not be administered.  Please note that online registrations require three days' notice, i.e.,  requests made on Monday may be for no earlier than Thursday.  If an earlier test date is required, please call the Test Center.   


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