Student Resources

To offer you some flexibility with your programs, we offer Challenge Exams as a way of testing out of a class a student may have already mastered but doesn’t have the credits to transfer it out automatically.

Here are some things to check before you decide to take a Challenge Exam:

1. Have you already submitted all of your past transcripts and/or certifications? These could allow you to transfer in credits for this course without needing the exam.
2. Are you sure you don’t want the associated certification exam prep and voucher? These will not be offered if you test out of the class.
3. Do you have a substantial background in this class area? For example, if a student is already certified in other areas closely related to this class material, they will be more likely to pass. However, if you’ve never taken tech courses before and are just starting your journey, exams may not be a good option.

Key facts about Challenge Exams:

• There is no fee for CIAT challenge exams.
• Students only get one attempt to pass the Challenge Exam.
• If you do NOT pass, you will need to satisfy the credits through another means – i.e. taking the class(es) with CIAT.
• The number of challenge exams will follow the number of industry certification exams required to be certified. For example, for CompTIA A+, there are two parts to the exam (220-1101 and 220-102), therefore you will need to take two challenge exams.
• CIAT does not accept hours or credit through transfer of credit achievement tests.
• Students may challenge up to 25% of CIAT’s courses by successfully passing the course final examination on their first attempt.
• You will need an active CIAT Canvas Account to access.

Process for initiating an exam:

1. Notify your admissions advisor. They will submit a request on your behalf.
2. When you are ready for the exam, work with your admissions advisor to schedule your one-time exam appointment.
3. Exams will be live proctored, delivered through Canvas, and conducted virtually over Teams.