CPL: Section 8-Credit Earned from DSST, NYU and Other Exams

  Steps to Request an Evaluation of Other Exam Credit:

1. Apply for admission and choose a program of study (declare a major).
2. Enroll in a credit course.
3. Request your official test score report sent NOVA’s College Records Office. If needed, the mailing address is: NVCC College Records Office, FX-P3 3924 Pender Drive, Fairfax, VA 22030.

It takes approximately four to twelve weeks to get credit posted to your record. Updates will be sent to your NOVA student email. 

Credit Earned from Other Exams

General Information

Northern Virginia Community College grants college credit for faculty approved national exams listed in this section. Through a comprehensive review process NOVA’s faculty, evaluates the instructional content of the standardized examinations to make clear recommendations about specific NOVA courses to which the underlying passing exam is equivalent. The following additional exams are eligible for college credit. If you do not see an exam listed here or in other sections of the CPL Manual, please consult the Credit for Prior Learning Unit at cpl@nvcc.edu to discuss other CPL methods. 

Abitur Example

Abitur exams are college preparatory instruments designed to measure a student’s command of introductory-level college material. NOVA currently recognizes the following Abitur Exams and will reward credit for the scores designated in the chart below.

Certified Manager (CM) Program Exam

The Certified Manager (CM) Program is sponsored by the Institute of Certified Professional Managers and founded by the National Management Association. The Institute is a business center of the College of Business at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia. Credit for prior learning is available effective Spring 2006, for students who take the exam and meet the following conditions reflected in the chart.

DANTES Subject Standardized Tests & Exams (DSST)

Administered by Prometric, DSST Exams (DANTES Subject Standardized Tests) were created under the Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support program to provide college credit to military service members.  In 2006, these exams were made available to military and civilian examinees. NOVA awards specific course credit to students who pass DSST exams with a minimum score of 400, as recommended by the American Council on Education. The attached table overviews the DSST Exams NOVA recognizes, the minimum score requirement and the NOVA equivalent and credits earned for the appropriate score.  A complete listing of current and prior tests can be found at http://getcollegecredit.com.  Requests for credit for DSST Exams not shown here should be made to Credit for Prior Learning Committee. 

Excelsior College and UExcel Examinations

NOVA recognizes the Excelsior College and UExcel Examinations, formerly known as ACT Proficiency Exam Program (PEP). Credit is granted in accordance with the recommendations of the American Council on Education National Guide at http://www2.acenet.edu/credit

Certification of Computing Professionals: ACP & CCP Exams

NOVA provides credit for students who provide an ACE transcript showing that they have successfully completed the Associate Computing Professional (ACP) Exam or the Certified Computing Professional (CCP) Exam within the past 10 years.  If both exams have been passed, no more than 9 credits of IT Electives can be awarded overall.

New York University (NYU) Foreign Language Proficiency Exams

NOVA awards credit for students who have completed NYU’s Foreign Language Proficiency Exams. This option is intended for students who were educated in a language other than English and they wish to earn college credit for their native language. NOVA will accept the 12-Point exam for World Language 201 and 202. Scoring for this test can take up to eight weeks and the scores are valid for five years. Students must take the exam at a designated location in the United States if not taking it at NYU. Credit is awarded based on ACTFL ratings. Students take a 12-point exam that tests listening, reading, and writing skills. Students are given two hours to complete the entire 12-point exam.

• A score of at least 7-9 points (Intermediate-Mid) for a 201 level course.
• A score of 10-12 points (Intermediate-High) may receive credits for levels 201 and 202.
  • If credit is earned for a 201 and/or a 202 level in a language, 101 and 102 level courses will be waived. The student should enroll into General Education courses to meet the minimum credit requirement for the degree. 
• A successful score on any language exam for a language course not taught at NOVA will receive up to six Humanities elective credits based on the score. 
  • HUM elective credits may be substituted for language credit requirements in the A.A. Liberal Arts degrees. 
• The chart below has examples of college credit awards. More information on exam offerings can be found at NYU’s website.

Updated 04/2025