FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q. What role does DIIA-Student Testing Services play within the university?

A. The following is a list of DIIA-Student Testing Services services:

• coordinates the university's course placement and credit-by-examination testing program
• serves as a testing center for many world-wide exam programs including CLEP, GRE, LSAT, and TOEFL iBT
• assists faculty members in constructing, processing, and interpreting tests and other measurement instruments
• conducts research to evaluate the effectiveness of educational programs in achieving their goals
• provides faculty members with students’ feedback concerning the effectiveness of courses and teaching methods, through Course-Instructor Surveys each semester

Q. How can I contact DIIA-Student Testing Services for information about testing or policies?

A. Call (512) 232-2662, email us at mailto:diia-testing@utlists.utexas.edu, or visit our office Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Q. Where is DIIA-Student Testing Services?

A. We’re in the Bridgeway Building (BWY) at 2616 Wichita Street. Look for the 3-story, stone building between the Student Services Building (SSB) and the 27th Street parking garage (TSG). On the UT Austin campus map you can find us here.

Tests for Course Placement and Credit by Exam

Q. Why are tests required for course placement?

A. UT Austin and its schools, colleges, and departments use the results of required tests to place students in the courses most appropriate for their proficiency levels.

Q. Are there exemptions for required placement tests?

A. Yes. Read the policies for each test before registering to take it to see if you might meet the conditions for exemption from that test. For example, in some cases students with qualifying scores from AP, SAT Subject, or IB exams or with transfer or dual credit may be exempt from certain placement tests. For information regarding conditions and exemptions consult the DIIA-Student Testing Services website.

Q. How does credit by examination (CBE) work?

A. Because UT Austin affords you the opportunity to earn course credit by achieving a qualifying score on an examination, you should be aware of three key features of the CBE program:

• To earn course credit by taking an exam, you must demonstrate that your knowledge is equivalent to that of students who complete the corresponding UT Austin course with a grade of at least C.
• You may apply to take an examination to attempt to earn credit for any undergraduate course.
• You may earn credit for otherwise repetitious introductory courses for which you attained college-level proficiency while you were in high school.

Q. Is credit earned by examination the same as credit earned by taking a course?

A. Credit earned by examination satisfies degree requirements in the same way as credit earned by taking a course, except that it does not count as credit earned in residence.

Q. How do I know if I am eligible to attempt to earn credit by examination?

A. You are responsible for determining your own eligibility. You may not earn credit by examination for a course in which you have a passing or failing grade. Consult the test descriptions on these pages—or available from DIIA-Student Testing Services—to see other eligibility requirements specific to each test you are considering.

Q. May I take a test for a course that is not listed in credit-by-examination publications?

A. An enrolled student in good academic standing may request an examination—called a Department Administered Exam (DAE)—for credit in any undergraduate course. Because the exam is administered individually by the department that offers the course, you must make special arrangements. Contact DIIA-Student Testing Services for details.

Test Information

Q. How are test dates determined?

A. Test dates coincide with class times or departmental deadlines. Some computer administered tests are offered on a regular schedule, usually monthly.

Q. What happens if my test score is not high enough to qualify me for credit?

A. Unsuccessful attempts do not become part of your academic record.

Q. How do I get the results of a test taken on campus?

A. Results are usually available one to two days after the test. You may get test results online. You cannot get results by phone. When you take the test you will receive details about how to get the results.

Q. How do I cancel a Test Registration?

A. Once you have completed online registration for a test, you may return to the Web site at any time to cancel or change your registration. However, you will still be billed the non-refundable $15 registration fee.

Q. How do I get a refund if I decide not to take a test?

A. You will not be charged the test fee if you don’t sit for the test, but you will still be charged the non-refundable $15 registration fee.

Petitioning for Credit

Q. How do I get credit by examination to appear on my transcript?

A. You must be sure you satisfy three conditions to have credit entered on your transcript:

• For a test you took off campus, DIIA-Student Testing Services must have or be sent/received an official report of the score from the test company.
• You must be presently enrolled or have been previously enrolled at UT Austin or have satisfactorily completed a correspondence course in the Division of Continuing Education.
• You must claim your credit using the DIIA-Student Testing Services website, petitioning Student Testing Services to report your credit to the registrar.

Q. Why must I petition to have my credit recorded?

A. For each course in which you have earned credit through credit by examination, you may choose to have the credit hours reported with a symbol CR (Credit only).

Q. How do I petition to have my credit recorded?

A. You must petition online to have your credit reported to the registrar; the Student Testing Services staff cannot do so for you. No credit by examination will appear on your official transcript until you petition online for Student Testing Services to report it to the registrar.

Q. Do I need to do anything after I petition online for my credit to be recorded?

A. Once you complete the petition process online, Student Testing Services reports your information to the registrar. Allow 5-7 days for the credit to appear on your transcript.

Q. When should I petition?

Q. Is there a fee for petitioning?

A. The petition fee is $4 per credit hour (effective June 1, 2009, the petition fee will increase to $6 per credit hour.), due within 14 days. You may pay online, at the bursar’s office—Main Building, Room 8, or by mail to Bursar’s Office, University of Texas at Austin, P.O. Box 7398, Austin, TX 78713-7398.

Transfer Credit

Q. Who at UT Austin processes transfer and dual credit?

A. Contact transfer admissions (512-475-7387) for information about all incoming credit from other colleges and universities.

Q. How do I claim transfer work?

A. Contact transfer admissions (512-475-7387) for information about all incoming credit from other colleges and universities and for advising on transfer and dual credit.

Continuing and Extended Education

Q. Where can I take tests in order to earn credit by examination at the high school level?

A. Contact the Distance Education Center at (512) 471-7716 or (512) 232-5000.

Q. Where do I take the GED?

A. Contact the Distance Education Center at (512) 471-7716 or (512) 232-5000.

Q. Where can I find more information for Online, CD-Based and Paper-Based college courses?

A. Contact the Distance Education Center at (512) 471-7716 or (512) 232-5000.

Miscellaneous

Q. How can I be exempt from the THEA test?

A. Contact the office of the Texas Success Initiative for all THEA (formerly TASP) questions. Call 512-471-TASP (471-8277) or visit the THEA Web site.

Q. Where can I be tested for a learning disability or other disability?

A. If you are a UT Austin student, contact Services for Students with Disabilities, in the Office of the Dean of Students, at (512-471-6259). You may also call the Learning Center (512-471-3614) for information about pre-testing.

Q. I have a learning disability or other disability that requires accommodations. What do I need to do to register for an exam?

A. If you require academic accommodations or assistance due to a documented disability, contact these two offices at least five business days before the day of the test:

• Services for Students with Disabilities, in the Office of the Dean of Students, at ssd@uts.cc.utexas.edu or 512-471-6259 to seek approval for authorized accommodations
• DIIA-Student Testing Services at 512-232-2662 to register and make arrangements to take the test.

Q. How can I take care of a registration bar placed by DIIA-Student Testing Services?

A. You probably have an unpaid credit petition (see above) or test fee. You may pay online, at the bursar’s office—Main Building, Room 8, or by mail to Bursar’s Office, University of Texas at Austin, P.O. Box 7398, Austin, TX 78713-7398.

Q. Do you offer prep courses for the GRE, LSAT, and other tests?

A. No. Only registration materials are available in our office. UT Austin students may check with the Learning Center for information on prep courses, and other students may look in the yellow pages of the phone directory under “Tutors.”

Q. Where can I take an IQ test?

A. Contact a private psychologist.

Q. Where can I receive aptitude testing?

A. UT Austin students may take aptitude tests for guidance in choice of major and career through the Career Center, and other students may contact Austin Community College.