Test Outs – A Concept Whose Time Has Come

People who work in the instructional design or training field know of the concept of test outs. A test out is a test someone takes to determine if they have the prerequisite knowledge or skill necessary to take a particular course or module of training. In other words, the test out determines if the person already has the appropriate amount of foundation knowledge to take the class.

I think the time has come for the test out concept to be broadened. If someone can take a test to demonstrate adequate knowledge about something, why can’t there be test outs for virtually every subject area taught in schools today. Not every area of study would be a perfect fit for the test out, but most would.

Traditional higher education institutions have already adopted the test out concept to some extent. For example, many colleges and universities accept passing scores on College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) tests as adequate evidence of knowledge in subject areas such as literature, history, science and mathematics and they award college credit for those passing marks. However, they place a limit on the number of college credits that can be attained using such testing. Why? If I can demonstrate 30 hours of college-level knowledge using a test out, why can’t I do the same for up to 120 hours of knowledge (the average number of credits required for a degree at most colleges)?

Sure, there are some areas of study I wouldn’t want to leave entirely to test outs to prove competence. I don’t think I’d want a surgeon operating on me who only took a bunch of tests to get his degree. And I don’t think I’d want a lawyer representing me who never engaged in legal theory debate with others studying the field. But for many other professions I’d be quite comfortable with people proving their competence through testing.

There are certainly problems with the test out concept. I’d have concerns that we’d once again go down the road of the overly certified society and not value self-education adequately because we’re awarding credit only for those who pass a test doled out by some “official” entity. But I’m also a realist. I know our society will continue to worship at the altar of the college degree for a while yet and my hope is that elevating the role of test outs might encourage more overall acceptance of self-education, whether gained from individual study or life experience.

If you have experience with, or thoughts about, such test outs, I’d appreciate your insights and opinion.

If you’d like to learn about earning college credit through the College-Level Examination Program (CLEP), take a look at this site and then consider buying their official study guide.