There are many standardized tests out there to demonstrate students' qualifications, whether they're looking to prove ready for admission into a particular post-secondary institution or showing that, despite logging the necessary hours, they deserve a high school diploma. Let's take a look at some of the tests that are out there.
Students earning their GED must pass five different tests (Writing, Reading, Math, Science, Social Studies) covering different subjects. GED's are comparable to high school degrees. Students can only pass by scoring 410 or higher on each test. The scores range from 200 to 800.
High school students take AP courses are eligible to take AP tests, for which they can earn college credits.
Students confident in their knowledge of particular fields can elect to take CLEP exams to earn credits for particular courses, thereby becoming eligible to simply skip over them once enrolling in a college or university. The test costs $72 most exams take 90 minutes to complete. Schools acceptances of these score-for-credit programs will vary.
The IB is an international education program for high school students between 16 and 19. Many colleges and universities recognize these programs for challenging curriculum, and some even allow score-for-credit transfers for students earning particularly high marks on the corresponding tests. There are three main areas spread over six courses – extended essay, action and service and theory of knowledge and creativity.
The ASVAB is a series of aptitude tests, that use a multiple choice format to determine a student's strengths and weaknesses for military and civilian careers. The fields are math knowledge, arithmetic reasoning and verbal composite.
When you have completed these tests, it is worthwhile to apply them towards the schools you have chosen to attend. AP, CLEP, and IB all transfer into academic credit at community, campus-based, and online education programs. The ASVAB can help you select a major at which you would excel.
Often when applying to schools, one can be concerned about whether or not the exams they have taken as AP, CLEP, or IB will transfer to the given program. If your scores are low, not all schools may accept them--but some may. A trick of the school trade and, coincidentally, a way to game the academic system is to transfer twice. Transferring to a community college or online associates degree program and then to a bachelor or online bachelor degree program can make those credit count as they will be accepted as transfer credit from the second institution.
Back to the Academic Resource Center.