NOVA accepts 36 CLEP® exams for transferable college credit. Here's every exam, its minimum required score, and credit hours awarded — plus the other credit-by-exam and prior-learning pathways available at this university.
5515 at registration — scores transmit to the Registrar automatically.36 CLEP® exams organized by category, with the minimum score and credit hours awarded for each.
| Exam | Min Score | Credits | Prep |
|---|---|---|---|
| Financial Accounting | 50 | 3 | Start prep → |
| Information Systems | 50 | 3 | Start prep → |
| Introductory Business Law | 50 | 3 | Start prep → |
| Principles of Management | 50 | 3 | Start prep → |
| Principles of Marketing | 50 | 3 | Start prep → |
| Exam | Min Score | Credits | Prep |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Literature | 50 | 6 | Start prep → |
| Analyzing and Interpreting Literature | 50 | 6 | Start prep → |
| College Composition | 50 | 6 | Start prep → |
| College Composition Modular | 50 | 3 | Start prep → |
| English Literature | 50 | 6 | Start prep → |
| Humanities | 50 | 6 | Start prep → |
| Exam | Min Score | Credits | Prep |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Government | 50 | 3 | Start prep → |
| History of the United States I: Early Colonization to 1877 | 50 | 3 | Start prep → |
| History of the United States II: 1865 to the Present | 50 | 3 | Start prep → |
| Human Growth and Development | 50 | 3 | Start prep → |
| Introduction to Educational Psychology | 50 | 3 | Start prep → |
| Introductory Psychology | 50 | 3 | Start prep → |
| Introductory Sociology | 50 | 3 | Start prep → |
| Principles of Macroeconomics | 50 | 3 | Start prep → |
| Principles of Microeconomics | 50 | 3 | Start prep → |
| Social Sciences and History | 50 | 6 | Start prep → |
| Western Civilization I: Ancient Near East to 1648 | 50 | 3 | Start prep → |
| Western Civilization II: 1648 to the Present | 50 | 3 | Start prep → |
| Exam | Min Score | Credits | Prep |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biology | 50 | 8 | Start prep → |
| Calculus | 50 | 5 | Start prep → |
| Chemistry | 50 | 8 | Start prep → |
| College Algebra | 50 | 3 | Start prep → |
| College Mathematics | 50 | 6 | Start prep → |
| Natural Sciences | 50 | 6 | Start prep → |
| Precalculus | 50 | 5 | Start prep → |
| Exam | Min Score | Credits | Prep |
|---|---|---|---|
| French Language Level I | 50 | 8 | Start prep → |
| French Language Level II | 59 | 14 | Start prep → |
| German Language Level I | 50 | 8 | Start prep → |
| German Language Level II | 60 | 14 | Start prep → |
| Spanish Language Level I | 50 | 8 | Start prep → |
| Spanish Language Level II | 63 | 14 | Start prep → |
NOVA is recognized on acenet.edu as an ACE-aligned institution. Beyond CLEP®, it may accept ACE-recommended coursework toward degree requirements. Acceptance of specific courses is determined by the NOVA Registrar under its prior-learning policy; confirm before enrolling.
Most students pass their CLEP® on the first try. If you don't, your subscription unlocks the matching ACE/NCCRS self-paced course — with a retake-able final exam. Either route earns you transferable credit at NOVA.
Self-paced courses across the full gen-ed and major-requirement catalog. Each carries an official ACE or NCCRS credit recommendation — submitted to the Registrar like any transcript.
NOVA is an ACE-aligned institution per acenet.edu. Acceptance of specific courses is determined at the Registrar's discretion — confirm before enrolling.
NOVA's minimum CLEP® scores run 50 – 63. Generic flashcard apps aim for "passing." We're built for acing.
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We're credit-by-exam prep provider and offer ACE/NCCRS coursework via our partners — both pathways produce official records that feed into NOVA's Registrar workflow like any other transcript.
5515 at test registration — College Board transmits scores directly to the Registrar9709Three legitimate ways to earn NOVA credit without sitting in a 15-week university classroom. Here's the honest comparison.
Northern Virginia Community College, commonly known as NOVA, is a public community college in Northern Virginia with its main administrative presence in Annandale, Virginia. It serves students across multiple campuses and learning sites in the region. As part of the Virginia Community College System, it offers accessible higher education close to the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.
NOVA offers associate degrees, certificates, workforce training, and university-transfer pathways across a broad range of fields. Its academic offerings include liberal arts and sciences, business, health professions, information technology, and technical programs. The college is especially known for serving transfer students and adult learners seeking flexible, career-oriented education.
For CLEP and transfer-credit purposes, NOVA is generally considered a transfer-friendly community college that evaluates prior learning and exam-based credit through established academic policies. Students who earn CLEP credit elsewhere or who are planning to transfer should confirm how those credits apply to a specific NOVA program or to a receiving institution. Credit acceptance can vary by department, degree plan, and transfer destination.
Credit and registration decisions at NOVA are handled through the college's registrar and academic records processes, with policies that govern placement, transfer evaluation, and degree applicability. Students should consult official NOVA catalog and registrar resources for current rules on course registration, transcript evaluation, and credit posting. Because policies can change, the most reliable source for exact credit mechanics is the college itself.
5515 when registering for your CLEP® exam. Scores transmit automatically to the Registrar.One subscription. 25+ CLEP® subjects for prep. 70+ ACE/NCCRS courses via partner. Pass-or-pivot safety net. Start your trial today.
TransferCredit.org is an independent education service, not affiliated with or endorsed by Northern Virginia Community College. CLEP® is a registered trademark of the College Board. DSST is a registered trademark of Prometric. Credit policy facts verified at time of writing; always confirm current policy with the Registrar.