Tests replace GE’s

by Oscar de León
Staff Writer

If you need to graduate and don’t have enough units to do so, your problem could be solved. The University of La Verne offers two types of exams, the Defense Activity for Non Traditional Education Support and College Level Examination Program exams, that if taken and passed, could replace general education classes that have not been fulfilled or units that have not been completed.

“The DANTES and CLEP are standardized tests that measure knowledge,” said Peter Centeno, Assistant Director of the Regional Campus.

CLEP is a computer-based exam and is not available on campus. Therefore it needs to be taken at La Sierra University, which is the closest test center in the area.

“We offer DANTES here on campus,” Centeno said.

DANTES is not a computer-based exam and it is less costly than CLEP, he said, but it takes longer to receive DANTES results.

Although these two exams have been offered for at least two years, many students do not know about them.

“I heard about it through friends, but I have not looked into it yet,” Junior Katherin Yandell said.

“I took DANTES and it saved me two-years of school,” CAPA student Connie McMillan said.

Some students disagree. “You don’t want to do too much of it, especially because you’ve got to be up to date with classes,” MBA student Jesus Caballero said.

There are three guidelines to follow before planning to take the exams: double check with your adviser to find out if the exam is right for you; only take the test if you have not taken a class in the same area of study; and a maximum of 44 units can be gained by taking these tests, said Centeno.

For more information call ext. 4151.