Competency-Based Exams

Competency-Based Exams (CBEs) are offered in core subject areas, including Math, Political Science, and Freshman Composition. If you are a transfer student whose courses did not apply directly towards your UTSA degree plan, then a CBE can take the place of traditional course attendance to save you time and money.

1. Students who take and successfully pass a Competency-Based Exam will receive credit in the course for which the exam was taken. The grade of “CR” will not be included in the UTSA grade point average, but the hours for the course will contribute to overall hours taken and count toward the minimum UTSA residence requirements.
2. Students admitted provisionally and other special admit students must refer to their advising area prior to attempting any credit-by-exam process, as those hours may not qualify for hour completion in that program.
3. Students may not retake the same Competency-Based Exam subject.

Texas Politics and Society Requirement

Students must be eligible for AP credit for American Government or have college credit for POL 1013 (Introduction to American Politics) or equivalent course prior to
attempting the Competency-Based Exam. Students who earned a score of 1 or 2 on the AP American Government exam are not eligible to take the Competency-Based Exam.

Any examinee who normally receives special accommodations for testing must notify UTSA Testing Services prior to the exam so that staff can coordinate and confirm the arrangements with the UTSA Student Disability Services office.

Competency-Based Exam Online Registration

• Competency-Based Exams are available only to enrolled UTSA students.
• The fee for Competency-Based Exams is $80 per subject. This fee must be paid online at the UTSA Marketplace site prior to taking the exam. Please bring a copy of your receipt to your testing session. All fees are subject to change.
• Please also fill out and bring the Competency Based Exam Disclaimer to the campus you will be testing at on the scheduled date of your appointment.

Register online by logging into myUTSA.