Please email testing@miracosta.edu or call 760-795-6685 for more information and to schedule an appointment to take a challege exam. Walk-ins are also available at any three testing locations.
The Testing Center supports students with the knowledge or ability to succeed in a language course (French, Italian, Japanese, or Spanish) or Chemistry course (Chem 150) without meeting the prerequisite or corequisite required. A prerequisite is a course that must be completed with a “C-” or better before students can register for a specific course. Prerequisites are established to ensure students have the knowledge and skills necessary for success in the course.
Students looking to challenge courses other than those listed above can find more information on MiraCosta’s Prerequisite and Challenge Process through Admissions & Records.
Challenges are only valid for the semester for which it was approved.
Language Challenge Process
If you have previous knowledge or ability in French, Italian, Japanese, or Spanish and you would like to challenge a prerequisite or corequisite in order to enroll directly into a course, you can go through our Language Challenge Process.
Next Steps
1. Contact Testing Services to set up your Challenge (same-day or by appointment).
a. Include which course you are trying to enroll in (ex. Spanish 201, French 102,
etc.).
2. Complete the challenge at the Testing Center and receive a confirmation sheet.
3. Bring the confirmation sheet to Admissions and Records and submit a Challenge form
to evaluations@miracosta.edu.
a. Include the confirmation sheet with your Challenge Form
4. You will receive an email confirmation once the Challenge has been submitted and
will be enrolled in or added to the waitlist for the class on your assigned registration
date and time.
5. Within 5 business days, the language department chair will contact you to complete
a verbal conversation or interview.
6. The department has 5 business days from the day they receive the challenge to make
a decision.
a. If approved: You will remain in the class or on the waitlist.
b. If denied: You will be dropped from the class, and any fees paid will be refunded based on MiraCosta’s
refund policy.
Alternative Option: Credit by Examination for Languages
If you are already proficient in a foreign language and all you need is the units to satisfy a requirement, you may want to consider the Credit By Exam (CBE) process instead of the Challenge Process.
Instead of enrolling to take the course you sign up to take a test. No attendance is necessary; your time will be spent preparing for a comprehensive written and a comprehensive speaking exam, both of which are representative of what a student should know at the end of the semester at a particular level. For more information, visit the Language Department’s Credit By Exam page.
Chemistry Challenge Exam Information
The CHEM Challenge Exam is available to those with chemistry knowledge, but without (documented, grade C or better) 1 year of HS chemistry lecture/lab credit or without pre-requisite CHEM 140 (previously CHEM 108) credit who are looking to enroll directly in CHEM 150.
- 44 multiple choice questions
- 45 minute time limit
- Basic or scientific calculator allowed (calculator must be approved by proctor and will be provided for in-person testing)
- 25 correct responses are needed in order to register for CHEM 150
- Results will be emailed within 2 business days.
- Students have one opportunity to take the Chemistry Challenge Exam (no re-testing)
- If you do not pass the exam, you will need to register for CHEM 140.
To review for the Chemistry Challenge Exam, self-enroll into the Canvas course (must have a MiraCosta SURF ID and login) and take the Chemistry Challenge Exam Prep Course.
You are only able to take the challenge exam once, so please STUDY before taking the exam!
Appointments are recommended but walk-ins are available at all three of our testing sites. Please email testing@miracosta.edu to set up your appointment. We will send you a confirmation email with exam details and more information. After providing a government issued ID, the Testing Center will provide you with a scientific calculator, scratch paper, pencil, and periodic table. You will also receive an invite to your email to join the Chemistry Challenge Exam on Canvas prior to your appointment.
The Course of Record (COR) for CHEM 140, the pre-requisite class for CHEM 150 is provided for your reference.
