Empire State University accepts many types of standardized examinations that have been evaluated for college-level credits. If a student's results meet the guidelines established by the university for earning credit, they can use those credits toward their degree program plan when:

• They completed the examination during the specific time period covered by the evaluation and credit recommendation.
• An official score report is received by Empire State University directly from the testing service.

As with all transfer credit/advanced standing, standardized examination topics should fit into a student's degree program by meeting specific program requirements or electives or adding breadth and depth to their general learning. Click on the tabs to find out more information about credit awards. 

Empire State University accepts the following standardized examinations: 

• Advanced Placement Examinations (AP)
• Association of Language Testers in Europe (ALTE)
• British A-level Examinations
• College Level Examination Program (CLEP)
• DANTES Subject StandardizedTest (DSST)
• UExcel Excelsior College Examination Program
• Graduate Record Examination (GRE) advanced subject tests
• New York University Foreign Language Proficiency Examinations
• Thomas Edison Credit Examination Program (TECEP)

Before a student decide to take an exam, they should talk with their mentor to determine if it is appropriate for them to their degree. For more information on standardized examination opportunities, click on the name of the exam to be brought to the appropriate tab on this page. For details on offerings, check the organization’s website. Many of these sites offer study guides which are sometimes available at bookstores.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT EXAMINATIONS (AP)

College Board (AP)

Empire State University accepts Advanced Placement exams with a score of 3 or higher, as documented by an official score report sent to Admissions.  Current Advanced Placement exams and credits awarded are listed below. In addition to the current exams listed, SUNY Empire also accepts former examinations:

• Advanced Placement Tests taken before April 1994 with scores of 3 or higher earn 6 credits at the introductory level.
• Advanced Placement tests taken in April 1994 or later with scores of 3 or higher earn the number of credits recommended by the American Council on Education (ACE). Specific credit amounts for older examinations can be found on TES by CollegeSource.

Current AP Exams and Credit Amounts:

Exam Name	Number of Credits	Equivalent Course	Gen Ed (2010)	Gen Ed (2023)
2-D Art and Design	3 cr.	Art Elective	Arts	The Arts
3-D Art and Design	3 cr.	Art Elective	Arts	The Arts
African American Studies	3 cr.	Art Elective	Arts	The Arts
Art History	6 cr.	Art Elective	Arts	The Arts
Biology	4 cr.	Biology Elective	Natural Sciences	Natural Sciences (and Scientific Reasoning)
Calculus AB	4 cr.	MATH 2140	Mathematics	Mathematics (and Quantitative Reasoning)
Calculus BC	8 cr.	MATH 2140 and MATH 2141	Mathematics	Mathematics (and Quantitative Reasoning)
Chemistry	4 cr. (score of 3), or 8 cr. (score of 4 or above)	Chemistry Elective	Natural Sciences	Natural Sciences (and Scientific Reasoning)
Chinese Language and Culture	8 cr. (score of 3), or 12 cr. (score of 4), or 16 cr. (score of 5)	Chinese Elective	Foreign Languages	World Languages
Comparative Government & Politics	3 cr.	Political Science Elective	Social Science	Social Sciences
Computer Science A	4 cr.	Computer Science Elective	None	None
Computer Science Principles	3 cr.	Computer Science Elective	None	None
Drawing	3 cr.	ARTS 1065	Arts	The Arts
English Language & Composition	6 cr.	Writing Elective	Basic Communication	Communication - Written
English Literature & Composition	6 cr.	English Elective	Basic Communication (3 credits), Humanities (3 credits)	Communication - Written (3 credits), Humanities (3 credits)
Environmental Science	3 cr.	ENSC 1200	Natural Sciences	Natural Sciences (and Scientific Reasoning)
European History	6 cr.	History Elective	Western Civilization	World History and Global Awareness
French Language and Culture	6 cr. (score of 3), or 9 cr. (score of 4), or 12 cr. (score of 5)	French Elective	Foreign Languages	World Languages
German Language and Culture	12 cr. (score of 3), or 16 cr. (score of 4), or 20 cr. (score of 5)	German Elective	Foreign Languages	World Languages
Human Geography	3 cr.	General Elective	Social Science	Social Sciences
Italian Language and Culture	6 cr. (score of 3), or 9 cr. (score of 4), or 12 cr. (score of 5)	Italian Elective	Foreign Languages	World Languages
Japanese Language and Culture	8 cr. (score of 3), or 12 cr. (score of 4), or 16 cr. (score of 5)	General Elective	Foreign Languages	World Languages
Latin	6 cr. (score of 3), or 9 cr. (score of 4), or 12 cr. (score of 5)	General Elective	Foreign Languages	World Languages
Macroeconomics	3 cr.	ECON 2015	Social Science	Social Sciences
Microeconomics	3 cr.	ECON 2020	Social Science	Social Sciences
Music Theory	3 cr. (score of 3) or 6 cr. (score of 4 or above)	Music Elective	Arts	The Arts
Physics 1 (Algebra-based)	4 cr.	PHYS 1200	Natural Sciences	Natural Sciences (and Scientific Reasoning)
Physics 2 (Algebra-based)	4 cr.	PHYS 1201	Natural Sciences	Natural Sciences (and Scientific Reasoning)
Physics C: Electricity & Magnetism	4 cr.	Physics Elective	Natural Sciences	Natural Sciences (and Scientific Reasoning)
Physics C: Mechanics	4 cr.	Physics Elective	Natural Sciences	Natural Sciences (and Scientific Reasoning)
Precalculus BC	4 cr.	MATH 1140	Mathematics	Mathematics (and Quantitative Reasoning)
Psychology	3 cr.	PSYC 1005	Social Science	Social Sciences
AP Research	3 cr. (score of 3), or 6 cr. (score of 4 or higher)	General Elective	None	None
AP Seminar	3 cr. (score of 3), or 6 cr. (score of 4 or higher)	General Elective	None	None
Spanish Language and Culture	6 cr. (score of 3), or  9 cr. (score of 4), or 12 cr. (score of 5)	Spanish Elective	Foreign Languages	World Languages
Spanish Literature and Culture	9 cr. (score of 3), or 12 cr. (score of 4), or 15 (score of 5)	Spanish Elective	Foreign Languages	World Languages
Statistics	3 cr.	MATH 1065	Mathematics	Mathematics (and Quantitative Reasoning)
US Government and Politics	3 cr.	POLI 2010	Social Science	Social Sciences
US History	6 cr.	HIST 2025 and HIST 2030	American History	U.S. History and Civic Engagement
World History (Modern)	6 cr.	History Elective	Other World Civilization	World History and Global Awareness

COLLEGE LEVEL EXAMINATION PROGRAM (CLEP)

College Board CLEP

Empire State University identification code = 2214

Empire State University follows the ACE/CLEP recommended minimum score and credit recommendations for awarding credit for exams taken since July 1, 2001 (except as noted for languages below). If you have taken a CLEP examination before July 1, 2001, or the effective date listed, contact The Office of the Registrar for required scores and available credit.

Current CLEP Exams

History and Social Sciences

• American Government: 3 credits; introductory; liberal
  • Gen Ed (2010): Social Science
  • Gen Ed (2023): *Social Science
• History of the United States I (Early Colonization to 1877): 3 credits; introductory; liberal
  • Gen Ed (2010): American History
  • Gen Ed (2023): *U.S. History and Civic Engagement
• History of the United States II (1865 to the Present): 3 credits; introductory; liberal
  • Gen Ed (2010): American History
  • Gen Ed (2023): *U.S. History and Civic Engagement
• Human Growth and Development: 3 credits; introductory; liberal
  • Gen Ed (2010): Social Science
  • Gen Ed (2023): *Social Science
• Introduction to Educational Psychology: 3 credits; introductory; liberal
• Introductory Psychology: 3 credits; introductory; liberal
  • Gen Ed (2010): Social Science
  • Gen Ed (2023): *Social Science
• Introductory Sociology: 3 credits; introductory; liberal
  • Gen Ed (2010): Social Science
  • Gen Ed (2023): *Social Science
• Principles of Macroeconomics: 3 credits; introductory; liberal
  • Gen Ed (2010): Social Science
  • Gen Ed (2023): *Social Science
• Principles of Microeconomics: 3 credits; introductory; liberal
  • Gen Ed (2010): Social Science
  • Gen Ed (2023): *Social Science
• Social Sciences and History: 6 credits; introductory; liberal
  • Gen Ed (2010): Social Science
  • Gen Ed (2023): *Social Science
• Western Civilization I (Ancient Near East to 1648): 3 credits; introductory; liberal
  • Gen Ed (2010): Western Civilization
  • Gen Ed (2023): *World History and Global Awareness
• Western Civilization II: 1648 to the Present: 3 credits; introductory; liberal
  • Gen Ed (2010): Western Civilization
  • Gen Ed (2023): *World History and Global Awareness

Composition and Literature

• American Literature: 3 credits; introductory; liberal
  • Gen Ed (2010): Humanities
  • Gen Ed (2023): *Humanities
• Analyzing and Interpreting Literature: 3 credits; introductory; liberal
  • Gen Ed (2010): Humanities
  • Gen Ed (2023): *Humanities
• College Composition: 6 credits; introductory; liberal
  • Gen Ed (2010): Basic Communications
  • Gen Ed (2023): *Communication - Written
• College Composition Modular: 3 credits; introductory; liberal
  • Gen Ed (2010): Basic Communications
  • Gen Ed (2023): *Communication - Written
• English Literature: 6 credits; introductory; liberal
  • Gen Ed (2010): Humanities
  • Gen Ed (2023): *Humanities
  • Humanities: 3 credits; introductory; liberal
    • Gen Ed (2010): Humanities
    • Gen Ed (2023): *Humanities

Science and Mathematics

• Biology: 6 credits; introductory; liberal
  • Gen Ed (2010): Natural Sciences
  • Gen Ed (2023): *Natural Sciences (and Scientific Reasoning)
• Calculus: 4 credits; introductory; liberal
  • Gen Ed (2010): Mathematics
  • Gen Ed (2023): *Mathematics (and Quantitative Reasoning)
• Chemistry: 6 credits; introductory; liberal
  • Gen Ed (2010): Natural Sciences
  • Gen Ed (2023): *Natural Sciences (and Scientific Reasoning)
• College Algebra: 3 credits; introductory; liberal
  • Gen Ed (2010): Mathematics
  • Gen Ed (2023): *Mathematics (and Quantitative Reasoning)
• College Mathematics: 3 credits; introductory; liberal
  • Gen Ed (2010): Mathematics
  • Gen Ed (2023): *Mathematics (and Quantitative Reasoning)
• Natural Sciences: 6 credits; introductory; liberal
  • Gen Ed (2010): Natural Sciences
  • Gen Ed (2023): *Natural Sciences (and Scientific Reasoning)
• Precalculus: 3 credits; introductory; liberal
  • Gen Ed (2010): Mathematics
  • Gen Ed (2023): *Mathematics (and Quantitative Reasoning)

Business

• Financial Accounting: 3 credits; introductory; nonliberal
• Information Systems: 3 credits; introductory; nonliberal
• Introductory Business Law: 3 credits; introductory; nonliberal
• Principles of Management: 3 credits; introductory; nonliberal
• Principles of Marketing: 3 credits; introductory; nonliberal

World Languages*

• French Language (Levels 1 and 2): 8, 12,  or 16 credits (score dependent); introductory; liberal
  • Gen Ed (2010): Foreign Language
  • Gen Ed (2023): *World Languages
• German Language (Levels 1 and 2): 8, 12,  or 16 credits (score dependent); introductory; liberal
  • Gen Ed (2010): Foreign Language
  • Gen Ed (2023): *World Languages
• Spanish Language (Levels 1 and 2): 8, 12,  or 16 credits (score dependent); introductory; liberal
  • Gen Ed (2010): Foreign Language
  • Gen Ed (2023): *World Languages
• Spanish with Writing (Levels 1 and 2): 8, 12,  or 16 credits (score dependent); introductory; liberal
  • Gen Ed (2010): Foreign Language
  • Gen Ed (2023): *World Languages

*SUNY Empire has developed our own credit recommendations for CLEP foreign language exams. See the Empire State University page on the TES by CollegeSource website for details. Enter "CLEP" using the "institution search" field.  

ASSOCIATION OF LANGUAGE TESTERS IN EUROPE (ALTE)

ALTE

Exams: foreign languages
Credit recommendation criteria:
ALTE Level 1 (A2) - 2 credits liberal, introductory
ALTE Level 2 (B1) - 4 credits liberal, introductory
ALTE Level 3 (B2) - 8 credits liberal, introductory
ALTE Level 4 (C1) - 12 credits liberal, 4 credits advanced
ALTE Level 5 (C2) - 16 credits liberal, 8 credits advanced

BRITISH A-LEVEL EXAMINATIONS

Cambridge International Examinations

Exams: A Level examinations for different college subjects
Credit recommendation criteria: 6 credits per A Level pass

DANTES SUBJECT STANDARDIZED TEST (DSST)

Thomson Prometric, DSST Program

Empire State University identification code = 8732
Note: Exams can be taken at Empire State University.

Exams: about 40 exams in diverse disciplines
Credit recommendation criteria: credit awarded as indicated on score report - most exams are 3 credits

EXCELSIOR COLLEGE EXAMINATIONS AND UEXCEL EXAMS

Note: Excelsior and UExcel examinations were discontinued in 2022. Students who took exams prior to discontinuation are still eligible for credit.

Exams: areas of business, education, liberal arts and sciences, nursing
Credit recommendation criteria: indicated on score report

NEW YORK UNIVERSITY FOREIGN LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY EXAMINATIONS

New York University

Exams: foreign languages

Credit recommendation criteria: New York University provides an official letter or transcript and the results are valid for five years. Credit is awarded on a point scale. Credit applied is equivalent to the score earned. The first eight credits applied are at the lower-level. For example, for a score of 12, students are eligible for 8 credits at the lower-level and 12 credits at the upper-level.

THOMAS EDISON CREDIT EXAMINATION PROGRAM (TECEP)

Thomas Edison State College of NJ

Exams: liberal arts and sciences, business and management, professional areas

Credit recommendation criteria: indicated on score report - most exams are 3 credits