ASL Course Challenge Exam
ASL Course Challenge Exam
The Course Challenge Exam at ACC can be used for the course challenge proceedings where you can apply for the exam results to be translated into course credits at ACC. Only students in unique circumstances are eligible for this.
I took ASL courses in High School. Which class should I register for?
If you took ASL courses in high school that does not transfer college credits, ASL 1 is the place to start.
I took ASL courses at another college or university. Which class is the right one for me?
If you took ASL courses at another college or university, you can transfer your credits into our program and pick up where you left off.
I am Deaf, have Deaf family member(s) or an interpreter. What ASL class should I start with?
If you have a Deaf family member(s) in the same household, are Deaf or hard of hearing, or an interpreter contact our ASLIT administrative assistant, Nela at marianela.gamboa@austincc.edu to schedule a Course Challenge Exam.
I took ASL 1 and 2 at another college or university and want to take ASL 3 and/or 4 this summer at ACC so I can graduate this fall. Is that a good idea?
Our summer ASL courses are condensed which makes them more challenging to students unfamiliar with our program. Transfer students who attempt this typically struggle with the pace of our courses and are at risk of failing or earning a minimally passing grade. If you are unsure, contact the professor of the course you are registered for to schedule an appointment to discuss this with them.
What is included in the Course Challenge Exam?
The Course Challenge Exam is about 20 minutes long and is conducted in American Sign Language. Spoken English is not used. Students are asked a series of questions in an ASL conversational style. In order to elicit your best ASL skills, it is encouraged that you respond to the questions asked by the examiner to move the conversation forward.
There is no specific place to study for this exam. Review your ASL vocabulary, grammar, and knowledge of conversational skills. The exam is taken virtually through Whereby, an online video meeting platform. The exam might be video recorded for evaluation purposes only.
How can I prepare for the Course Challenge Exam?
- An appropriate and distraction-free attire is required (i.e., no logos, no stripes, no hats, no dangling earrings). TIP: Wear a solid colored shirt that contrasts with your skin tone.
- Make sure you have an appropriate and solid colored background for your exam. (NO inappropriate settings such as riding in a train will be accepted and it may disqualify you from the exam.)
- You should be in a room with good lighting. The evaluator needs to be able to see you clearly.
- You need a healthy wifi signal, which would be in a range between good and excellent. (A blurry picture due to weak wifi can lead to automatic discontinuation of the exam.)
- There should be no one else in the room besides you when you are taking the exam to minimize distractions.
NOTE: Refer to the image below for how to position yourself in front of the camera for your exam.
Eligibility for Course Challenge Exam
In order to be eligible to initiate the course challenge proceedings, the applicant must be a current or former ACC student. Students must also complete at least one college credit awarding course at ACC before the results from the Course Challenge Exam can be recorded on an official transcript through the course challenge process. The student may not challenge a course (after completing the Course Challenge Exam) more than once. No student may challenge a course for which she/he is currently enrolled or has received a grade, I, W, or AU.
You will need to earn an “A” or a “B” on your exam in order to be awarded college credit for having taken the exam. Credit received by way of the Course Challenge Exam is reflected as a letter grade on your academic transcript, but it is important to note that this letter grade will not be calculated into your overall ACC GPA. If you plan to transfer to another college or university, you should consult that particular institution for more information about their transcript evaluation policies.
I would like to receive credits through the Course Challenge Exam process. What exactly do I need to do?
1. Schedule your Course Challenge Exam by emailing ASLIT administrative assistant, marianela.gamboa@austincc.edu. Follow the tips provided on this page to prepare the best you can for the exam.
2. Take the Course Challenge Exam and wait for your results.
3. Upon receiving your Course Challenge Exam results and after you have completed one full semester at ACC, whether at the time of your exam or after that, initiate the course challenge proceedings.
4. After the Administrative Assistant has submitted the first part of the Course Challenge Exam paperwork on your behalf, pay the course challenge fee for the credits you qualify for based on your exam results ($10.00 per credit). Email the receipt number to the Administrative Assistant.
5. The Administrative Assistant will email you to confirm that all the paperwork has been submitted for your Course Challenge Exam.
6. Once your credits have been posted, the Administrative Assistant will notify you via email. Then you should be able to review the Course Challenge Exam credits on your transcript.
How much can I expect to pay for the Course Challenge Exam credits?
The Course Challenge Exam fee is $10.00 per credit hour.
Refer to the table below for the total amount that will need to be paid for each department course eligible for course challenge credits.
| Course Abbrev/No | Course Title | Fee |
| SGNL 1401 | ASL I | $40 |
| SGNL 1402 | ASL II | $40 |
| SGNL 2301 | ASL III | $30 |
| SGNL 2302 | ASL IV | $30 |
Additional Rules & Expectations:
- Exam results will be sent via email within 1 business day after the exam date.
- You may take the Course Challenge Exam for credit only once.
- If you take an ASLIT course at ACC and do not earn the grade desired, you cannot take a Course Challenge Exam to enroll in the next level of ASL even if after a few years.