About TECEP® Exams
Note: This option is not approved for Financial Aid or Veterans' Benefits.
The Thomas Edison State College Examination Program (TECEP®) offers students the opportunity to earn college credit by taking examinations rather than formal courses. TECEP® is a credit-by-examination program specifically designed to allow students to demonstrate the college-level knowledge they have gained through their work, personal interests or independent studies.
Overview
Each TECEP® exam is developed by mentors who teach college courses in the subject area of the exam. Most of the exams contain multiple-choice questions and some include short answers or essays. Testing times range from two to four hours. Along with the exam, the team creates a test description containing information to guide student test preparation efforts. Test descriptions are available on the College website. All examinations are 3 credits.
TECEP® exams were originally developed to help Thomas Edison State College students meet degree requirements in a flexible manner, but are available to anyone interested in credit-by-examination. Students enrolled in Thomas Edison State College can earn credit by passing any TECEP® exam, but should contact the Advisement Center to ensure that tests will fulfill their degree requirements. Students enrolled elsewhere should check directly with their own institutions. The major advantage of earning credit via this method is its flexibility. The College recognizes that students who choose this method begin with different levels of knowledge of the test subject and take different amounts of time to prepare. Therefore, students can study at their own pace and register for the exam when they are ready.
Student Profile
TECEP® examinations are recommended for highly independent learners who are comfortable studying in a non-structured environment.
Current TECEP® Examinations
Allied Health
- Medical Terminology APS-100-TE
Business and Management
- Introduction to Financial Accounting ACC-101-TE
- Introduction to Managerial Accounting ACC-102-TE
- Federal Income Taxation ACC-421-TE
- Business in Society BUS-311-TE
- Strategic Management BUS-421-TE
- Security Analysis and Portfolio Management FIN-321-TE
- Financial Institutions and Markets FIN-331-TE
- Marketing Communications MAR-321-TE
- Sales Management MAR-322-TE
- Advertising MAR-323-TE
- Operations Management OPM-301-TE
Computer Technology
- Networking Technology CMP-354-TE
English Composition
- English Composition I ENC-101-TE
- English Composition II ENC-102-TE
Humanities
- Public Relations Thought and Practice COM-210-TE
- Technical Writing ENG-201-TE
- Introduction to News Reporting JOU-110-TE
Human Services
- Introduction to Human Services HUS-101-TE
Natural Sciences/Mathematics
- The Science of Nutrition BIO-208-TE
- Applied Liberal Arts Mathematics MAT-105-TE
- College Algebra MAT-121-TE
- Principles of Statistics STA-201-TE
Social Sciences
- Introduction to Political Science POS-101-TE
- Psychology of Women PSY-270-TE
- Marriage and the Family SOC-210-TE
Test Descriptions
TECEP® test descriptions are available on the College website at www2.tesc.edu/listalltecep.php. Each test description includes an outline of the test topics and their weight on the examination, a description of the test format (multiple choice, short-answer, essay), the score required to pass, sample test questions and answers, and study materials.
Grades/Test Retakes
TECEP® results are reported on a pass/fail basis only. Letter grades and numerical scores are not entered on your transcript. The minimum score required to earn credit on a TECEP® is equivalent to a letter grade of C.
Failing grades are not transcripted. If you do not pass the first time you take a TECEP®, you may retake the examination once. You will need to re-register and pay a new test fee after waiting at least three months from your original test date. Failed TECEP® examinations cannot be reviewed after test administration, and test results cannot be released by phone, e-mail or fax, in keeping with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974.
Textbooks
TECEP® examinations are similar to college course final examinations, and most students need to review study materials before testing. Several texts are listed in the test description for most TECEP® exams; however, you are not limited to the ones that are listed, except in a few cases. Generally, many college-level texts in the test subject will prepare you. If you select another text make sure to compare the topic outline with the text content. We recommend that you review more than one text, since the broader your background, the better your chance of earning credit.
After reading the test description and learning which texts are suggested, you can locate many texts through the textbook supplier MBS Direct at www.studytactics.com. At that site, click on the College tab and enter your text information on the next screen. If MBS Direct has your text, you may order it online. While they do not carry all TECEP® texts, they do have many in stock.
Test Administration Ethics
Most TECEP® exams are closed book. If materials are allowed, it will be noted in the test description for that TECEP®. It also will be stated on the front cover of the test booklet at the test administration. Students found using unauthorized aids/assistance during the administration or copying/removing information from the test site will be subject to the Academic Code of Conduct.
Students with Disabilities
The College does not discriminate on the basis of disability. All requests for special accommodations should be made in writing to Thomas Edison State College, Office of Student Special Services, Attn: ADA coordinator or by calling (609) 984-1141, ext. 3415, or by e-mailing [email protected]. Hearing-impaired individuals may call the TTY line at (609) 341-3109.
Out-of-Country Students
TECEP® examinations taken outside the United States must be administered by an academic dean or full-time faculty member at an approved American university, an education officer at an American embassy or consulate, or with an administrator of CLEP or TOEFL examinations at an approved CLEP or TOEFL testing site. Active duty military personnel should use the base test control officer (TCO) or education services officer (ESO) or a commissioned officer who is not in your direct chain of command. Before registering, contact the Office of Test Administration at [email protected].
Where to Take TECEP® Examinations
As with Thomas Edison State College course examinations, you may choose to take TECEP® examinations at the College according to the schedule in Taking Undergraduate Examinations, or you may locate a proctor near you.
TECEP® Scheduling Options: Selecting Your Own Proctor
You may take TECEP® examinations at any accredited college or university or at any public library. Contact your local college or university and find a full-time member of the testing office, or a full-time professor or professional staff member. Adjunct and part-time professors do not qualify. Another option is your local library. A full-time librarian at your local library is qualified to proctor examinations. Librarians at elementary and high schools do not qualify. Active duty military should utilize the base test control officer (TCO) or education services officer (ESO) or a commissioned officer who is not in your direct line of command.
Note: The College does not send examinations to employers, corporate training officers, supervisors, members of the clergy, family members or friends.
First, contact your proctor to arrange a specific test date. Next, register for your examination via Online Student Services. You will be sent an e-mail confirmation within a few days. Select Option A and fill out the required proctor information. Submit the completed form to the Office of Test Administration at [email protected].
If your proposed proctor does not qualify, the Office of Test Administration will notify you via e-mail. Once your proctor is approved, you will receive your your exam(s) via U.S. mail about a week before your test date. Call your proctor at least three days before your test date to confirm test receipt. If you do not complete your exam by the last day of the semester, you will have to register and pay for the test in a future semester.
Testing at Thomas Edison State College in Trenton, N.J.
First, register for your examination via Online Student Services. You will be sent an e-mail confirmation within a few days. Select Option B and click on the Test Scheduler link to select a test date at the College’s testing center in Trenton, N.J. Two time slots are available on scheduled test dates, at 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. If you schedule a 4-hour exam, select the 8:30 a.m. time slot.