Credit by Exams (CBEs)

Earn Course Credit or Accelerate with a Texas Tech K12 Credit by Exam

Texas Tech K-12 offers more than 150 Credit by Exams (CBEs) that allow eligible students to demonstrate mastery of course content and earn academic credit without completing the full course.

Texas Tech K-12 CBEs are aligned with the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) and may be used for credit recovery, course acceleration or demonstrating mastery of previously learned material, depending on the student’s eligibility and school requirements.

Before enrolling in a CBE, students should work with their Texas Tech K-12 academic adviser or local school counselor to make sure the exam is appropriate for their academic needs and that the resulting credit can be awarded.

What Is a CBE?

A Credit by Exam, or CBE, is an assessment that allows a student to demonstrate mastery of the content and skills required for a specific course or grade level.

Students may use a CBE to:

Earn credit for a course without completing the full course
Recover credit for a previously attempted course
Demonstrate mastery of material they have already learned
Accelerate academically when eligible

Texas Tech K-12 offers CBEs for students in elementary, middle and high school.

What Score Do I Need to Pass a CBE?

The score required to earn credit depends on whether the student has previously received instruction in the subject.

Without prior instruction: Students who have not previously received instruction in the course must earn a score of 80% or higher.

With prior instruction: Students who have previously received instruction in the course must earn a score of 70% or higher.

Credit eligibility and acceptance are determined by applicable Texas requirements and the student’s school or district.

Students should work with their Texas Tech K-12 academic advisor or local school counselor before enrolling to determine which requirements apply and confirm that the resulting credit will meet their academic needs.

How Many Times Can I Take a CBE?

Students may attempt a CBE for the same high school course a maximum of two times.

Texas Tech K-12 provides two versions of each applicable CBE:

Set 1: First attempt
Set 2: Second attempt, if needed

Students should not enroll in the same version twice. After two unsuccessful attempts for the same high school course, the student must complete the full course to earn credit.

How to Enroll in a Texas Tech K-12 CBE

1. Start With Your Advisor or School Counselor

Before purchasing or enrolling in a CBE, confirm that the exam is the appropriate option for your academic needs.

Full-time Texas Tech K-12 students: Contact your Texas Tech K-12 academic advisor to discuss eligibility, determine the appropriate exam and confirm whether prior instruction or no-prior-instruction requirements apply.

Students enrolled at another school: Contact your local school counselor before purchasing a CBE to confirm eligibility, determine the appropriate exam and verify that your school or district will award the resulting credit.

2. Review the Exam Content

Download the appropriate CBE Review Sheet before enrolling. Review sheets provide information about the content covered on the exam and may include study recommendations or required materials.

View CBE Review Sheets

3. Enroll in the CBE

Once you have worked with your advisor or counselor and confirmed the appropriate exam, enroll in the CBE.

Enroll in a Credit by Exam

4. Complete the Exam

Students have six months from the date of enrollment to complete the CBE.

CBEs cannot be extended, refunded or transferred. If an exam expires before it is completed, the student must purchase a new exam or enroll in the applicable course.

5. Receive Your Grade

CBEs receive a final numerical grade. Students do not receive feedback on individual exam questions and CBE grades are final.

Students enrolled through another school or district should work with their school counselor to confirm how successful CBE credit will be applied to their academic record.

Online CBE Proctoring

Texas Tech K-12 online CBEs use Proctorio remote proctoring, allowing students to complete their exam remotely.

Students taking an online CBE need:

A desktop or laptop computer.
A reliable internet connection.
Google Chrome and the Proctorio extension.
A working webcam and microphone.
A valid photo ID.
A quiet, distraction-free testing environment.

Mobile phones and tablets should not be used to complete proctored exams.

View Online Proctoring Requirements

Credit by Exam Cost

For individual online CBE enrollment:

Credit by Exam: $65

Online proctoring: $15

Total: $80 per exam

All CBE and proctoring fees are non-refundable and non-transferable.

Schools and districts may have separate institutional CBE pricing and ordering options.

View Solutions for Schools & Districts

Credit by Exam for Schools and Districts

Texas Tech K-12 also provides CBE solutions for public, private and other educational partners.

Institutional options include online, district-proctored online and print CBEs, allowing schools to use Texas Tech K-12 assessments for credit recovery, acceleration and other student academic needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you test out of a high school course in Texas?

Eligible students may earn course credit by demonstrating mastery through an approved CBE. Students should work with their Texas Tech K-12 academic advisor or local school counselor before enrolling to confirm eligibility and credit requirements.

What is the difference between a CBE with prior instruction and without prior instruction?

With prior instruction applies when a student has previously received instruction in the course. Students must earn a score of 70% or higher to earn credit.

Without prior instruction applies when a student has not previously received instruction in the course. Students must earn a score of 80% or higher to earn credit.

Students should work with their Texas Tech K-12 academic advisor or local school counselor to determine which requirements apply before enrolling.

Can homeschool students take Texas Tech K-12 CBEs?

Texas Tech K-12 CBEs may be an option for students coming from homeschool or other non-accredited educational settings.

Students seeking to transfer into Texas Tech K-12 should work with a Texas Tech K-12 academic advisor to determine which exams, if any, are needed to establish credit or grade placement.

Do I need permission from my school before taking a CBE?

Yes. Students should work with their Texas Tech K-12 academic advisor or local school counselor before enrolling.

Students attending another school should confirm that their school will accept and award the resulting credit before purchasing an exam.

How long do I have to complete a Texas Tech K-12 CBE?

Students have six months from the date of enrollment to complete the exam. Extensions are not available.

Can I retake a CBE?

For applicable high school courses, students may have up to two CBE attempts. Students should use Set 1 for the first attempt and Set 2 for the second attempt.

Are Texas Tech K-12 CBEs online?

Texas Tech K-12 offers online CBEs that use Proctorio remote proctoring. Institutional testing options are also available for schools and districts.

Are Texas Tech K-12 CBEs aligned with Texas standards?

Yes. Texas Tech K-12 CBEs are designed to assess mastery of the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) and meet applicable Texas Administrative Code requirements.

CBE Standards and Certification

Texas Tech K-12 CBEs are designed to meet applicable requirements under Texas Administrative Code §74.24.

Additional documentation is available for counselors, administrators and districts:

Ready to Get Started?

Before enrolling, work with your Texas Tech K-12 academic advisor or local school counselor to confirm your eligibility, determine whether prior-instruction or no-prior-instruction requirements apply and identify the appropriate CBE.

View CBE Review Sheets | Enroll in a Credit by Exam | Request More Information

Texas Tech K-12

Address

Texas Tech Plaza | 1901 University Ave, Lubbock, TX 79401
Phone
(806) 615-2115