College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Department of Political Science
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Political Science Course Test-Outs

If your background in a topic has already given you college-level proficiency, you may qualify for Credit by Examination (CBE) in relevant coursework. With CBE, passing a test roughly equivalent to the final exam of a class provides you credit for the associated course, allowing you to more quickly complete curricular requirements and progress toward graduation. At present, the Department of Political Science only offers test-out credit for POLS 2620, though more courses may be available in future semesters. For a study guide and an indicator of whether a test-out might be right for you, a list of skills and topics tested in POLS 2620 is available here:
https://iastate.box.com/s/doesecty0g5xp46ujl0m38ybp01o91t9

The university also provides general information about test-outs at:
http://www.admissions.iastate.edu/cbe/index.php

You can also view information about the Exam for Credit fee here:
https://www.registrar.iastate.edu/fees/glossary-of-fees#dept-exam

Political Science Test-Out Information

  • Date of examination: Thursday before Fall and Spring classes start
  • Time of examination: 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
  • Location of examination: Ross Hall 518
  • Fee: $100

The exam fee will be placed on your university bill and is not refundable, regardless of the outcome of the exam, unless enrollment in the exam is cancelled at least 24 hours before the exam starts. If you do not report for the scheduled examination, you must submit a new request and pay an additional examination fee to take a future exam.

To be admitted to the exam, you must:

  • Complete the Political Science Credit-by-Exam Application: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/3d2PUTUsSc
    The application must be received by the department at least 48 hours before the beginning of the test-out examination.
  • Bring your student ID and a writing utensil to the test.

Results are available by the Tuesday morning following the test date. If you pass the exam by performing at a level equivalent to a grade of C or better in the course, you will receive a T grade for the course at the end of the semester in which you pass the exam. T grades do not affect your GPA, but the credit appears on your transcript and counts toward completion of most graduation requirements.