Registration is a hassle, and nothing can be worse than being stuck with an 8 a.m. class on Monday just because your lottery number is next to infinity.
The general consensus from most college students is that core courses are overrated and they only serve the purpose of putting a limit on the number of interesting classes one can take.
Worry no more college students, especially incoming freshman.
College Board has just invented yet another standardized test, College-Level Examination Program (CLEP), which current or incoming college students can take in place of their core requirements.
“I have never heard that this was an option, but if I had had the chance I would have preferred that over some of the core that I have had to take,” said Kevin Saville ’06.
Students can save up to $29,455 of their tuition bill if they pass five exams, which is equivalent to one semester’s classes.
“I think this would take away Fairfield’s mission of providing a liberal arts curriculum if they were to utilize these exams,” said Mike Webb ’06.
CLEP exams consist of a multiple choice component and optional essay component for English Composition and Literatures exams.
CLEP exams, which cost $55 per exam, are compute-based, so wrong or skipped answers would not be penalized.
“I think this is a good idea, especially for people who are nursing majors and who have a strict curriculum,” said Casey Machon ’06.
“This would allow me to double major or even have a minor,” she added.
The exams are usually 90 minutes long and consist of multiple-choice questions. However some exams, such as the English Composition test, consists of other types of questions such as essays.
Candidates may not retake an exam in the same subject area within six months of the initial testing date.
“No high school seniors have asked me about the CLEP exams,” said Smita Balakrishna ’06, who works as a senior interviewer.
Fairfield University and 2,900 others colleges and universities across the nation will accept CLEP for credits.
Fairfield still advises students to consult with an adviser before taking the CLEP exams.
The scaled score ranges from 20 to 80 points, and Fairfield considers 50 points equivalent to three credits class. The point scale will fluctuate as the intensity of the class increases.
Will this be the answer to those horrifying Monday morning classes?
Or the inability to get into certain classes?
“I would definitely recommend the exams to incoming students if there is an interest,” Balakrishna said.
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