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Challenging Courses By Exam

Students who have completed 8th grade and those entering grades 9-12, who are currently enrolled in the FNSBSD, may challenge courses for high school credit. This option is designed to provide students the opportunity to demonstrate mastery through exam. It is not a process for credit recovery or course retakes.  Students who have already taken a high school course are not allowed to take a challenge exam as a way to improve a grade or earn credit for a previously failed class. Students may not take a challenge exam for a course they have previously taken, and exams may not be taken more than once.

Students may take up to two separate challenge exams each testing date.  Challenge exams are only available for core courses and some world languages. Please contact the Teaching & Learning department to inquire about specific course and challenge exam options.  For more information, such as the registration process, select an option from the menu.

Exams will be administrated at the FNSBSD Administrative Center, 520 Fifth Avenue, under the Department of Teaching & Learning's oversight.  The special education coordinator, to assure the appropriate accommodations are met, will review a special education student’s request. If accommodations are needed, this must be indicated at the time of registration.

2024-25 Challenge Exam Information

Registration must be completed and the fee paid by the registration dates listed below See below for registration directions.

Exam Schedule

Summer 2024

Exam Date:  Friday, July 26, 2024

Registration & Fee Submission Deadline:  Friday, July 12, 2024

Exam Start Time:  10:00 a.m.

Location: FNSBSD Admin Center

Check in at Teaching & Learning on the second floor
520 Fifth Avenue
Fairbanks, AK 99701

 

Fall 2024

Exam Date:  Thursday, October 31, 2024

Registration & Fee Submission Deadline:  Friday, October 18, 2024

Exam Start Time:  10:00 a.m.

Location: Nordale Education Center

397 Hamilton Avenue
Fairbanks, AK 99701

 

Spring 2025

Exam Date:  Friday, February 14, 2025

Registration & Fee Submission Deadline:  Friday, January 31, 2025

Exam Start Time:  10:00 a.m.

Location: Nordale Education Center

397 Hamilton Avenue
Fairbanks, AK 99701

  

Summer 2025

Exam Date:  Thursday, July 24, 2025

Registration & Fee Submission Deadline:  Friday, July 11, 2025

Exam Start Time:  10:00 a.m.

Location: FNSBSD Admin Center

Check in at Teaching & Learning on the second floor
520 Fifth Avenue
Fairbanks, AK 99701

 

Transcripts

Scores of 80% or higher will earn high school credit. Exam scores of 80% - 89% will be designated a “B” and scores of 90% - 100% will be designated an “A.”  Credit will be reported on the student’s transcript as “Credit by Exam.”  If the student receives less than 80% on the exam, no record will be made on the transcript.

The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) does not allow courses completed through credit-by-exam for eligibility purposes.

Credit-by-exam may be used for Alaska Performance Scholarship (APS) eligibility.

Registration & Fees

Please note that the registration fee of $85 is required for each exam at the time of registration. Semester 1 and semester 2 are two separate tests (e.g. if a student wishes to take an exam for both the first and second semesters of Spanish I, the total cost is $170.)  Please provide payment (cash, check, or money order) to FNSBSD, Dept. of Teaching & Learning/Attn: Flora Roddy, 520 Fifth Avenue (2nd floor, Suite D), Fairbanks, AK 99701.

  Registration Steps:

1. Complete the online registration form and press "submit"
2. Provide payment of the registration fee to:  FNSBSD, Dept. of Teaching & Learning/ Attn. Flora Roddy, 520 Fifth Avenue (2nd floor, Suite D), Fairbanks, AK 99701.
3. Fill out the top portion of  the High School Credit by Exam Transcript Form. This form requires both the student's and parent/guardian's signature.
4. Submit the High School Credit by Exam Transcript Form to jennifer.morgan@k12northstar.org.  

High School Credit by Exam Transcript Form

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