The Pearland ISD Testing Department is required to administer Credit by Examination (CBE) for acceleration without prior instruction four times each year. These tests are designed to provide an opportunity for students to receive credit for a grade level or course in which the student has had no prior instruction. The testing windows for this school year are listed below. 

Registration Process - To register to take a CBE a student/parent must complete the following steps:

1. The student is currently enrolled in a Pearland ISD school.
2. The parent completes the Credit by Exam registration form which can be obtained from the campus counselor.
3. The parent turns the completed registration form in to the campus by the deadline listed above.
4. Once approved by the counselor, login to the Pearland ISD web store at https://pearlandisd.revtrak.net/
5. Click the 2022-2023 Credit by Exam link.
6. Fill out the online form with all required information and select the exams you were approved to take.
7. Pay for the exams, print the receipt, and attach it to the form.
8. Return the form and receipt to your counselor.
9. Once the CBE registration is processed, the parent will receive a confirmation email from the Pearland ISD Testing Department containing specific testing session information.
   [Note: the email is sent to the student's Pearland ISD email address.]

Testing Process - There is a morning and afternoon session for each testing day listed above.  Each CBE is assigned a specific date and session and cannot be re-scheduled due to testing computer constraints.  Following registration for all testing windows, students are mailed a letter that details the testing process, lists the CBE(s) the student registered for, the test date, and testing time. 

Day of Testing

1. Students must arrive at the testing location fifteen (15) minutes prior to the start of each session
2. After registration, the students will remain in the testing room until their testing is completed.
3. Each exam has a maximum three (3) hour time limit.
4. For online only CBE tests that do not have a teacher graded portion, the student is given their score immediately after testing.
5. After testing, the student is returned to their parent/guardian until the next testing session starts.
6. No lunch or supervision is provided or available to the student between sessions at the testing location.
7. Students must be picked up immediately upon completion of their final testing session of the day.

Advancement Process - In order for students to receive a recommendation to advance, the following criteria must be met:

Grades 1 – 5:

• Student is enrolled in a Pearland ISD school.
• Elementary students must meet the state law age requirement – five years old by September 1^st for kindergarten and six years old by September 1^st for first grade.
• Completed application forms and payment receipts must be received by the school counselor/principal by the registration deadline. This includes the student’s parent/guardian signature indicating approval of the acceleration and the school counselor/principal signature indicating his/her recommendation that the student be accelerated.
• All registration forms and payments must be received by the school counselor by the registration deadline. Registration dates and deadlines are posted on the Pearland ISD website by the first day of school. 
• A $25 deposit is required to reserve a seat for a Credit by Examination. This deposit will be collected through Revtrak and will have an additional non-refundable 4.19% per test convenience fee.  Upon completion of the Credit by Exam, the $25 deposit will be refunded through Skyward.  Failure to take the Credit by Exam on the assigned date will forfeit the $25 deposit. 
• A student that does not attend their assigned daily test session is considered a “no show.” This no show counts as an attempt for a CBE score. No show students are not eligible to register for the same exam in the same school year.
• K-5 students are allowed only one attempt for grade level acceleration exams.
• Student must score a minimum of 80% on each of the four criterion-referenced tests that covers the essential knowledge and skills of the respective grade they wish to skip.
• It is the student’s responsibility to prepare for all tests prior to the first day of testing. The order in which all tests are given is at the discretion of the district.
• If the 80% minimum score is not achieved on any one of the four grade level acceleration exams, testing will be stopped and the student will not be allowed to take any remaining grade level exams. The student will not be permitted to accelerate and testing may not be repeated for that grade level. 
• There is only one window for testing each quarter of each calendar year with no exceptions due to ordering deadlines.
• Any student caught cheating will be removed from the testing center immediately and their test will be voided. Students caught cheating will no longer be eligible to take any credit by exam.
• No cell phones or electronic devices are permitted in the testing center.
• Late arrivals will be allowed to test but their arrival time will be the test designated start time. Students are then allowed to test until the end of the current session in progress. 
• Students who become a distraction to other testers, such as crying, talking, or any other behavior that disrupts the testing environment, will be removed and not allowed to return to the current test session in progress.
• Students may not bring any personal items into the testing. All test materials including calculators, pencils, scratch paper, and formula charts are provided by the test administrators.
• No food or drink is allowed in the testing center. Medical exemptions must provide documentation from a physician.
• Student that score the minimum of 80% on each of the grade level acceleration exams will be accelerated during the next school year.
• Results and placements are final.

Grades 6 – 12:

• Student is enrolled in a Pearland ISD school.
• Completed application forms and payment receipts must be received by the school counselor/principal by the registration deadline. This includes the student’s parent/guardian signature indicating approval of the acceleration and the school counselor/principal signature indicating his/her recommendation that the student be accelerated.
• All registration forms and payments must be received by the school counselor by the registration deadline. Registration dates and deadlines are posted on the Pearland ISD website by the first day of school. 
• A $25 deposit is required to reserve a seat for a Credit by Examination. This deposit will be collected through Skyward and will have an additional non-refundable 4.19% per test convenience fee.  Upon completion of the Credit by Exam, the $25 deposit will be refunded through Revtrak.  Failure to take the Credit by Exam on the assigned date will forfeit the $25 deposit. 
• 6-8 students are allowed one attempt at a course exam.
• Credit for exam for high school courses may not be attempted for the same high school course more than two times.
• There is only one window for testing each quarter of each calendar year with no exceptions due to ordering deadlines.
• A student that does not attend their assigned daily test session is considered a “no show.” This no show counts as an attempt for a CBE score. No show students are not eligible to register for the same exam in the same school year. 
• Students will only be allowed to take one level, per session for any subject, including World Languages.
• Any student caught cheating will be removed from the testing center immediately and their test will be voided. Students caught cheating will no longer be eligible to take any credit by exam.
• No cell phones or electronic devices are permitted in the testing center.
• Late arrivals will be allowed to test but their arrival time will be the test designated start time. Students are then allowed to test until the end of the current session in progress. 
• Students who become a distraction to other testers, such as crying, talking, or any other behavior that disrupts the testing environment, will be removed and not allowed to return to the current test session in progress.
• Students may not bring any personal items into the testing center. All test materials including calculators, pencils, scratch paper, and formula charts are provided by the test administrators.
• No food or drink is allowed in the testing center. Medical exemptions must provide documentation from a physician.
• 6-8 students that score the minimum of 80% on of the grade level acceleration exams will be accelerated during the next school year.
• It is the student’s responsibility to prepare for all tests prior to the first day of testing. The order in which all tests are given is at the discretion of the district.
• If 6-8 students do not meet the 80% minimum score on any one of the four grade level acceleration exams, testing will be stopped and the student will not be allowed to take any remaining grade level exams. The student will not be permitted to accelerate and testing may not be repeated for that grade level. 
• Students who meet the 80% minimum score on both part A and part B of a high school course and/or a grade 6-8 mathematics test will earn credit and the credit will be added to their educational record. No grade averaging is allowed.
• Students attempting to earn credit on World Language exams must meet the 80% minimum score on part B only to receive full course credit.
• Results and placements are final.

NCAA NOTE: The Guide for the College-Bound Athlete published by the NCAA states that "Courses complete through credit-by-exam may not be used" to meet core-course requirements.  Please refer to the NCAA Publications Website for further information.

What is Credit By Exam No Prior Instruction?

Credit by Exam/Exam for Acceleration provides an opportunity for students to earn grade level or course credit in which no prior formal instruction was completed.  Credit by Exam is designed for a small percentage of students who have an academic and emotional need to advance to the next grade level.  Credit by Exam is not designed for grade level recovery after being retained in a previous grade level

What are the eligibility requirements for a student to register for Credit By Exam?

Students must meet all eligibility requirements to register for CBE testing:

1. Student is enrolled in a Pearland ISD school.
2. Kindergarten and First grade students must meet the state law age requirement

                  – 5 years old by September 1 for Kindergarten

                    – 6 years old by September 1 for First grade

3. Registration form is completed and returned to school counselor by deadline.
4. School counselor/or principal must sign registration form to verify student’s grade level and eligibility.

What are the registration deadlines?

Deadlines for each of the four test windows— Fall Session 1,  Spring Session 2, Summer Session 3, and Summer Session 4 for each school year can be found on the Credit by Exam page of the Department of Testing webpage https://www.pearlandisd.org/Page/357  or the information can also be found on the registration form which can be found in the counselor’s office at your child’s school.

What are the dates for Credit By Exam?

Pearland ISD offers four testing opportunities throughout the year.  The Fall Session 1 exam opportunity will be administered on a Saturday in October or November; Session 2 exam will be administered on a Saturday in January; Session 3 will be administered in June; and Session 4 exam will be administered in July.  Test dates can be found on the Credit by Exam page of the Department of Assessment webpage, at https://www.pearlandisd.org/Page/357.

What time should my student arrive at the testing location?

All students must arrive at the testing location by 8:15 a.m. if they are assigned to the morning session or by 1:15PM if they are assigned to the afternoon session.  The maximum amount of time allowed for each exam is 3 hours.  Session 1 is from 8:30 – 11:30 AM.  Session 2 is from 1:00 – 4:00 PM.  Students may call their parents to pick them up if they complete the exam in less than the allotted time.  Parents must arrive no later than 11:00AM for Session 1 or 4:00PM for Session 2 to pick up their student.  Please plan to pick up your student on time.  The ESC building closes at 4:30 PM. 

What is the testing site location and address?

Testing locations may change, depending on the availability of campuses and will be printed on the Credit by Exam email to students. 

We will be out of town on the testing dates listed can my child take the test on a different day?

Pearland ISD will strictly adhere to the scheduled testing dates. Check your schedule before registering your child.  The district will not accept scores of testing completed outside of our district scheduled testing window without prior approval from the Department of Assessment.  Students will be assigned testing times as the registration forms are received by the testing departmen                                                                                           

How can my child study or prepare for the CBE exams?

Review materials may be found at:  https://highschool.utexas.edu/cbe_study_guides.php.

Obtaining student textbooks referenced in the study materials is solely the responsibility of the parent.

Can my child use a calculator?

The calculator policy for UT can be found on the Credit by Exam web page.  Personal calculators are not allowed.  The district will provide a calculator for exams that permit the use of a calculator.    

 What are the Credit By Exam score requirements to advance a grade level?

For a Kindergarten student to advance to first grade, he/she must score a minimum 80 percent in the Social Studies, Science, Math and Reading tests.  Once a student fails to reach the 80 percent required scores on any test, testing will stop, and the student will not be allowed to take any remaining exams.

 For Grades 1- 5, students must score a minimum 80% on all subject area tests; math, reading/language, science and social studies. Once a student fails to reach the 80% required scores on any test, testing will stop and the student will not be allowed to take any remaining exams.

 What are the Credit By Exam score requirements to be awarded course credit?

Middle School courses are awarded credit for the entire year.  A student must earn the minimum score of 80 percent on the exam in a subject area to be awarded course credit.  Regular/Non-weighted course credit will be given.  Middle school students who take and pass all four core content area subject exams will be promoted to the next grade.

High school students must take an exam for each semester of an academic course they wish to skip.  A course taken for high school credit must meet the high school course requirement of scoring an average of 80 percent or above on each semester exam. Regular/non-weighted course credit will be given. 

Score averaging does not occur.  A score of 80 percent must be obtained on each exam.

 If my student does not score the minimum 80%, will the score be recorded on the student transcript?

Scores below 80% will not be recorded on the student’s permanent academic record.

 My child did not make an 80% on one or more of the exams.  Can I appeal the results?

The state has established a passing standard of 80%. Therefore, appeals of student results will not be considered.  Results are final. 

 I do not think my child’s test was scored correctly.  Can I request a rescore?

Yes.  You will need to call the Assessment Department to request the form.  There will be a $35 charge to UT for each requested test to be rescored. Rescores could take up to 3-4 weeks.

 If my child meets the passing score of 80% or above, can I choose whether or not to have my student enroll in the next grade level or course?

If the student meets the score requirements for an elementary grade level, once the parents sign the authorization to promote they do not have the option not to promote.  If the student meets the score requirements for a secondary course, the student must be placed in the next grade level or course.  The parent/guardian does not have the option of not promoting the student if they meet the grade level or course credit required.

 What grade will my child test out of if he/she is taking Credit by Exam?

All Credit by Exam tests will test out of the next grade level.  For example, a student currently enrolled in Grade 1 will take the exams to test out of Grade 2.  If the requirements are met, the student will remain in the current grade level until the end of the school year.

 When will we receive the CBE results?

Most exams are administered on the computer and results will be available immediately upon completion of the exam.  There are certain exams that must be hand scored by UT, and these scores will be mailed to the parents within six weeks from the testing date.

 What will happen if the results are not received before the first day of school?

The Credit by Exam schedule is designed with the intention that parents and campuses will receive the CBE results before the start of the school year.  However, if the CBE results are not received by the first day of school, the student will begin the school year in the current enrolled grade level.  If the student meets the criteria to advance to the next course or grade level, the student will be moved to the new course or grade level, once the CBE results are received. 

 How many times can my child test for CBE?

A K-8 student is allowed one attempt at the grade level, or course exam.  If a student does not show up for a registered exam it is considered a NO SHOW, therefore, an attempt.  High school students may attempt an exam no more than two times. 

 What do I do if I want my 6^th grade child to take Algebra I in 7^th grade?

The student has to take 7^th grade CBE in one session and meet the passing requirements of 80% or above, then register for 8^th grade CBE in another session and meet the 80% requirement. They cannot take 2 math exams in one session. 

 What should I bring to the test session?

Please bring a picture ID.  All pencils, scratch paper, calculators and formula charts will be provided.  Do not bring snacks.  No food or drink is allowed in the testing center.  No backpacks are allowed.  No toys, stuffed animals, etc. are allowed in the testing center.  No electronic devices or watches are allowed.  Cell phones may be turned in at the beginning of testing and returned once the test is complete.  A phone is available for students to call parents for pick up if they finish earlier than the 3-hour allotted time.

 If you have any additional questions, please call the Testing Department at 281-485-3203