UExcel Exams

Deprecated Credits
As of June 30, 2022, students were no longer able to register for a UExcel Exam with the last date to take a registered exam being August 21, 2022. These exams have been retired and are no longer available. Students who took these exams previously will still be able to use any credits earned, but students going forward will be unable to earn credits in this manner.

Overview
UExcel, formally Excelsior College Examinations (or ECE), was Excelsior College's credit-by-exam program. With these exams, one can earn college-level credit in select subject areas by passing a proficiency exam in selected topics. Exams were offered in computer-based format at thousands of test centers globally. Many colleges and universities will grant college credits for each test, although they are not as widely accepted as CLEP and DSST. Each exam usually corresponds to a one or two semester introductory or secondary course on the topic, and many provide upper-division credit. Most UExcel exams were considered equivalent to 3 credits in the semester system.

As of May 2022, almost all UExcel exams were available via online proctoring (via Pearson VUE). Exams that require a listening or writing component have to be taken in a Pearson VUE testing center.

UExcel exams were acceptable for credit at the The Big Three schools. They were considered more difficult than easier CLEP tests but offer more options to receive upper-level credit in many cases.

COST: Most exams were $110 (see page 26) while longer or more involved exams cost $355-$470 depending on the test (as of October 2020).

Value Package Information
When you register for a UExcel exam, you have the option of buying just the exam or paying for a package that includes 2 practice tests and a retake in case you fail the first exam. Each practice test can only be taken once. The practice questions may be more difficult than the actual exam. As long as you were at least passing on the practice tests, you should've been able to do well on the actual exam.

Hints & Tips

 * If your school accepts both courses, forum user studyingfortests has stated that completing the UExcel "Research Methods in Psychology" and the Study.com course "Psychology 105: Research Methods in Psychology" at the same time is roughly the same amount of work as just doing the UExcel. This is like getting a bonus 3 extra credits.
 * According to forum user cpoteraske, World Population can be passed with a C without studying. If you need a higher grade for GPA purposes, getting a B or an A should be possible with a little study.
 * According to forum user cpoteraske, Workplace Communication with Computers is another UExcel exam that can be passed with a C without studying. If you need a higher grade for GPA purposes, getting a B or an A should be possible with a little study.

Resources

 * UExcel website at Excelsior College
 * List of UExcel exams
 * Registration information page
 * Wikipedia entry on ECE tests
 * UExcel Equivalencies at TESU
 * UExcel Equivalencies at COSC