QVCC offers the opportunity to obtain college credit via written examinations for some courses, provided the student is enrolled in an applicable degree or certificate program. A student who successfully passes a CBE is assigned a "TR" on the academic transcript. No quality points are earned and the student's GPA is not affected.
Why take a CBE?
To gain college credit for completing a beginning course for which the student has acquired knowledge through experience OR to demonstrate mastery of entry level skills in order to enroll in a higher level course.
What factors would make a CBE less desirable?
Students who are planning to transfer probably should avoid CBE 's because they may not transfer. It is important to check with an advisor at the transfer college to determine transferability.
Secondly, if a student has already enrolled in a course for which s/he then decides to do a CBE , the student should be advised that when s/he withdraws from the course, a "W" is placed on the transcript. Often students assume that they will automatically be dropped from the course or that the record of being in the course will be removed. This does not happen and students end up with an "F" as the final grade. Thus, it is important to complete CBE 's before registering for the course dealing with the same skill area. It is critical that any students with financial aid do the CBE before registering for a course since their satisfactory academic progress may be adversely affected. (Financial aid does not cover the costs of CBE 's.)
Third, students who wish to raise their GPA should not take CBE 's because they have no impact on the GPA.
What CBE's are currently available?
A student may take CBE 's for BOT* 111, CSA* 105, MAT* 137. In unusual cases, a faculty member may prepare an individual CBE for a student in a specialty area such as fine arts. There is a fee for each CBE as well as an additional cost to purchase a password for the CSA* 105.
Consult the Learning Center for details.
