For currently enrolled Howard Community College students the Test Center is available for makeup exams, online courses, and students requiring modified testing conditions. Students must request that the instructor send their academic exam to room RCF-359.  Academic exams sent to the Test Center are available to students without an appointment during general office hours.  The test center staff will enforce the exam deadline given by the instructor. Please confirm the deadline of the exam prior to your arrival. All exams must be returned at the posted closing time regardless of the time limit. 

Students using Howard Community College’s Test Center must:

• Present a current school or government-issued picture ID. School ID's must have the current year or an expiration date. Government issued ID's cannot be expired and must have a recent picture.
• Provide the name of the instructor teaching the course.
• Provide the name of the course and section number.
• Know the title of the exam (for example, test 3).
• Place all personal items in lockers, including books, notes, pens, pencils, calculators, cellular telephones, electronic devices, purses, lip balm, watches, wallets, and keys. All pockets must be empty.
• Remove all listening or recording devices from their person.
• Remove all hats and head coverings unless worn for religious or medical reasons. Regardless of the reason for headwear allowance, the tester's ears must be shown to a testing administrator in a private setting to ensure that no recording or listening devices are present.

Proctored testing is available during general office hours, to individuals needing an exam proctored from other institutions. Students must receive Test Center approval prior to having their exams sent to Howard Community College’s Test Center. The Test Center is a member of the National College Testing Association (NCTA) and is a part of the Consortium of College Testing Centers.  If you are in need of a proctor, you may send an email to testcenter@howardcc.edu or call 443-518-1280 to become registered in our database.

There is a standard $30.00 fee per exam to proctor non-Howard Community college examinations which is due at the time of testing and is payable by cash, check, money order, or credit card to the Cashier on the second floor of RCF.  However, please be advised that there may be additional proctoring fees dependent upon the complexity of exam administration requirements.  The charge will be determined by the Director of Testing or his/her designee.  Please contact the Test Center for further information.

Individuals taking non- Howard Community College examinations must:

• Present a current school or government-issued picture ID.
• Place all personal items in lockers, including books, notes, pens, pencils, calculators, cellular telephones, electronic devices, purses, wallets, and keys.
• Remove all listening or recording devices from their person.
• Remove all hats and head coverings unless worn for religious or medical reasons. Regardless of the reason for headwear allowance, the tester's ears must be shown to a testing administrator in a private setting to ensure that no recording or listening devices are present.

*Please be advised that the Test Center must receive written or verbal consent from your institution or professor prior to testing with personal electronic devises (laptops or tablets) or electronic documents (ebooks or notes). No unauthorized materials will be allowed.

E-Learning Examinations

Please visit our E-Learning Examinations page for more information.

The College-Level Examination Program® (CLEP) gives students the opportunity to receive college credit for what they already know by earning qualifying scores on any of the 34 computer based examinations. CLEP helps students save time and money. There are 2,900 colleges and universities that grant credit for CLEP exams. In order to ensure credit for CLEP, please contact your institution’s admission and advising department prior to taking the exam for appropriate exam type and score. A $80.00 fee charged by the College Board must be paid at the time of administration via a major credit card.  Prior to testing, an additional $30.00 proctoring fee must be paid to the cashier on the second floor of the RCF Building.  Payment may be made by credit card, cash, money order, or check  payable to Howard Community College.  The exams are generally offered year-round, except during final exam weeks and peak periods of placement testing.  All CLEP examinations are by appointment only.  Please call 443-518-1280 for more details. 

• For additional information about CLEP, please click here.
• SpeedyPrep is a test preparation company that has a free practice test that students can use to help with preparation for CLEP.  For more information, click here.

DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (DSST)

The DSST program provides the opportunity for people to earn college credit for what they have learned outside of the traditional classroom by computer based examinations. Accepted or administered at over 1,900 colleges and universities nationwide and approved by ACE (American Council on Education), the DSST program enables people to use their knowledge acquired outside the classroom to accomplish their educational and professional goals. In order to ensure credit for DSST, please contact your institution’s admission and advisement department prior to taking the exam for appropriate exam type and score. An $80.00 fee charged by Prometric must be paid at the time of administration via a major credit card. Prior to testing, an additional $30.00 proctoring fee must be paid to the cashier on the second floor of the RCF Building.  Payment may be made by credit card, cash, money order, or check payable to Howard Community College. The exams are generally offered year-round, except during final exam weeks and peak periods of placement testing. For a DSST appointment please call 443-518-1280. 

• For additional information about DSST please visit the following website: http://www.getcollegecredit.com/

Excelsior Examinations

Show what you know and earn the college-level credit you deserve. Earn college-level credit accepted at Excelsior College and hundreds of other colleges and universities around the world, including HCC. Earn the credit you need to:

• Complete your degree efficiently and affordably
• Earn the credit you need for promotion or certification
• Demonstrate what you know for college admission or placement

Choose from 51 exams in the arts and sciences, business, nursing, and education, many offering upper-level credit. Study independently, using an array of valuable learning resources available directly from Excelsior College.

• Ask an admissions counselor or your academic advisor how credit from Excelsior College Examinations may satisfy your degree and elective requirements and thereby move you closer to your educational or career goal.
• Check with your employer or labor organization about tuition assistance policies when you earn college-level credit efficiently with exams.
• Test at a time convenient for you at the HCC Test Center.
• For additional information about Excelsior Exams please click here.