Proficiency Exams

NIU offers optional proficiency exams in several areas. These exams allow you to earn credit for specific NIU courses. Generally, you can only take a proficiency exam once.

Any credit you earn will be entered on your academic record as soon as it’s approved by a university official. Please note that credit may only be entered after the last day to drop a class (the “drop deadline”) of the first semester you’re enrolled at NIU. The drop deadline is usually two weeks after the start of a semester.

How to Take the Exam

There are no fees for proficiency exams. To register, follow these steps:

  1. Access the exam registration system.
  2. Under Choose a Group, select “NIU Proficiency, Math Core Competency Exam (not Math Placement Exam), & COB Exemption Exams.”
  3. Complete the rest of the form.

Exams and Credit

Contact Us

Testing Services
Peters Campus Life Building 120
815-753-1203
testing@niu.edu

Hours

Monday-Friday
8 a.m.-noon
1-4:30 p.m.

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