Credit by Examination

The State of Texas, through Administrative Code Chapter 74,  permits public school students the opportunity to demonstrate mastery in a subject or accelerate a grade level by taking a criterion referenced test without prior instruction in the course(s) being tested.

A student in grades 1-8 may accelerate to the next grade level if the student answers 80 percent of the questions correctly on the assessment from each of the four core areas (math, reading, science, social studies). 

A student in grade 6-12, without prior instruction in a course, may earn credit for the course if they answer 80 percent of the questions correctly on a criterion-referenced test. If a 6-12 grade student has had some prior instruction in a course, he or she may earn credit if they score 70 percent on a criterion referenced test. Tests will be administered at the student’s campus or other mutually agreed upon district location from:

October 7 - October 15, 2024

January 7 - January 10, 2025

March 31 - April 11, 2025

July 28 - August 4, 2025

Registration applications should be downloaded and completed from the Columbus ISD website. All completed applications must be turned into the CISD administration office, or campus counselor office no later than 4:00 p.m., September 3, 2024 or at least one month prior to the quarterly window so that tests can be ordered and received. There is no fee or cost to test for the student and his or her family. For more information you may phone your student’s campus counselor.