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Prior Learning Exams

Students may earn college credit by passing tests that evaluate students' prior learning. 

Jump to:  CLEP  |  DSST  |  FLATS  |  PBSC Challenge Exams

College Level Examination Program (CLEP)

The CLEP lets you earn college credit by passing tests that show you already know the material covered in certain college courses. By doing well on the exam, you can skip some introductory classes — saving both time and money as you work toward your degree.

Important Information

Palm Beach State College students must meet with an Academic Advisor to find out if a CLEP exam is accepted for their specific program. It’s the student’s responsibility to choose the correct CLEP exam. 

Funding for CLEP exams is extended to eligible military veterans. 

Study Materials

Appointments and Test Fees

Step 1: Students must register on the CLEP website and pay a $97 test fee by credit/debit card for each CLEP exam.

Step 2: After registering with CLEP website, make an appointment at your preferred Testing Center campus location and pay a $15 proctoring fee (per test) via PBSC eMarket prior to the exam.

Step 3: Students must bring their CLEP Test Voucher and PBSC receipt to the Testing Center on the day of testing. Students must also have a valid form of ID. If you are home schooled and do not have the required government issued ID, please complete a Student ID Form, which is valid for one year. The form must be accompanied by a recognizable photo, with a school or notary seal overlapping the photo. The form must be signed in front of a school official or notary. If you fail to present the appropriate ID, you will not be tested.

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DSST (Formally DANTES Subject Standardized Tests)

A DSST exam is a standardized test that lets you earn college credit by showing what you know in a specific subject —whether you learned it through previous classes, work experience, or independent study.

Important Information

Palm Beach State students must meet with an Academic Advisor to find out if a DSST exam is accepted for their specific program. It's the student's responsibility to choose the correct DSST exam.

Testing candidates can retake the same test after 90 days (about 3 months). Taking it beforehand will result in an invalid exam and forfeit testing fees.

Study Materials

Appointments and Test Fees

Step 1: Students must register on the DSST website and pay a $100 test fee by credit/debit card for each DSST exam. 

Step 2: After registering with DSST website, make an appointment at your preferred Testing Center campus location and pay a $15 proctoring fee (per test) via PBSC eMarket prior to the exam.

Step 3: Students must bring their DSST Test Voucher and PBSC receipt to the Testing Center on the day of testing. Students must also have a valid physical form of ID.

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Foreign Language Achievement Testing Service (FLATS) 

FLATS exams, designed by Brigham Young University (BYU), evaluate a student's proficiency in a foreign language and are often used to meet college-level language requirements. At Palm Beach State College, these exams can be used to satisfy the foreign language competency requirement; however, no college credit is awarded.

Important Information

The exams cover material equivalent to the first three semesters of language study. Most are computer-based and take up to 2.5 hours to complete, while some are offered in a paper-and-pencil format. The results are reported as pass/fail.  |  List of available languages

If you attended middle or high school in a country whose native language is other than English, you may be exempt by proof of proficiency. Please send an email to admissions@palmbeachstate.edu for review of your foreign school transcript before you register for a FLATS exam. 

Appointments and Test Fees

Step 1: Register on the BYU-FLATS website at least one business day prior to your desired test date

  • Complete your personal information, including your PBSC student ID number. 
  • Provide information for the PBSC Testing Center where you will schedule your exam:

    Boca Raton
    Name: Nadeen Gosine
    Department: Testing Center 
    Educational Institution: Palm Beach State College 
    Address: 801 Palm Beach State College Dr., Boca Raton, FL 33431 
    Phone: 561-862-4321
    Email: southtesting@pbsc.edu

    Lake Worth
    Name: Karen Wallace
    Department: Testing Center 
    Educational Institution: Palm Beach State College 
    Address: 4200 Congress Ave., Lake Worth, FL 33461 
    Phone: 561-868-3013 
    Email: centraltesting@pbsc.edu 

    Palm Beach Gardens
    Name: Keana Roberts
    Department: Testing Center 
    Educational Institution: Palm Beach State College 
    Address: 3160 PGA Boulevard 
    Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410 
    Phone: 561-207-5371
    Email: northtesting@pbsc.edu

  • Provide information on where testing results should be sent: 
    • Name: Graduation 
    • Department: Registrar's Office
    • Educational Institution: Palm Beach State College
    • Address: 4200 Congress Ave., Lake Worth, FL 33461
    • Phone: 561-868-3034
    • Email: graduation@pbsc.edu 
  • Pay the appropriate registration fee via debit or credit card. BYU charges $50 for an online exam and $75 for a paper/pencil exam. 
  • Once your payment is processed, you will receive a confirmation email with your testing password. You must bring your testing password when you take your exam. 
  • If the exam is not taken within 6 months of your registration date, a new registration payment will be required. 

Step 2: Schedule your exam and pay the proctoring fee

  • Schedule your exam at the PBSC Testing Center location you provided during registration.
  • Pay a $15 proctoring fee via PBSC eMarket.

Step 3: Attend your exam with the required items

  • Government-issued photo ID
  • Testing password from BYU-Flats 
  • Receipt for the $15 PBSC proctoring fee

Be prepared to follow all testing policies and guidelines.  

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PBSC Challenge Exams

Certain courses at Palm Beach State College allow students to earn credit or clock hours through a challenge exam. If a passing score is achieved, the credit or hours will be added to the student’s transcript. Exams are not scored immediately; results are typically available within 24 hours.

For information about exams offered and to download the Challenge Exam form, visit the Challenge Exam webpage. 

Test Fees

Please pay a $50 fee via PBSC eMarket prior to the exam. 

Appointments 

Challenge Exams are available at the Lake Worth campus only. Please contact the Lake Worth PBSC Testing Center at centraltesting@pbsc.edu or 561-868-3019 for more information.