Physical Science Challenge/Exemption exam policy

Policy for all students

It is possible to satisfy the university physical science requirement by taking and passing an exemption/challenge exam. This test is an ~100 question multiple choice test. It is closed book, closed notes, and proctored in the testing center. You may only challenge a given class ONCE. You must complete the test before the end of the Add/Drop deadline. See the testing center web site for their hours; they are normally closed the first few days of the term and are shorter than normal for the next week.

1. You do not need to request this test in advance. Simply go to the testing center during the first week of any semester or term and ask for the test.
2. You can see your scores on the "my scores" tab of the testing center web page, https://testing.byu.edu. Do not use the app or "my tests" tab. You must receive a minimum score of 60% to receive graded credit (challenge credit) for the class and a minimum grade of 75% to be exempt from the physical science requirement.
3. Exemptions are posted automatically. If your grade is higher than 75% and you do not want graded credit, you do not need to do anything to have the exemption posted.
4. If you have a 60% or better and want graded challenge credit, then you fill out the online challenge exam forms. Submitting the form triggers the $20 challenge charge to your account. You should only do this AFTER you have seen your score and decided you want it posted. 
   • To keep people from requesting the test and accruing the fee when they have not yet taken the exam and seen their grade, requests open once the testing period ends.
   • The exact letter grade is determined by the scale given in the grading section of the syllabus. Any score below 60% is not considered a passing grade on the challenge exam, and you must take the class to receive credit.
5. You must take this test before the add/drop deadline for the semester so you can drop(or add) the class if you pass (or fail) the test. You may also need to add a different class to replace the dropped PS100 class if you need to maintain a certain number of credits.
6. The exemption exam for this course is the equivalent of a final exam from the regular day sections. It is comprehensive and consists of ~100 multiple-choice questions on physics, chemistry, astronomy and geology.

Current PS100 Students

Taking the Challenge/Exemption Exam will not hurt your grade if you are enrolled in the class. If you are enrolled in one of the campus day sections and do well on the Exemption Exam, you have several different options depending on your grade on the exam. (SLC and evening students will need to discuss options with their instructor.)