Okemos High School offers eligible students in grades 7-12 the opportunity to “test out” of any high school course by earning a qualifying score on district-selected assessments aligned with Michigan Merit Curriculum requirements, consistent with Michigan Merit Curriculum Law, Section 380.1278(a)(4)(c).
Testing out is also available for students who have previously failed a course and wish to earn credit without repeating it.
To earn credit by testing out, students must demonstrate mastery by achieving at least a C+ on a final exam or comparable activities such as portfolios, performances, papers, projects, or presentations.
Year-long courses have a single test-out period up to three hours; semester courses up to 1.5 hours. World language testing includes separate oral and written assessments.
Students may only test out of a course once and cannot test out of courses for which they already have credit.
World language testing requires completion or testing out of prior courses in the sequence. Students may test out of multiple world language levels in the same testing period. Proficiency in languages not offered by the district may earn credit through demonstrated proficiency and a qualified evaluator.
Procedures
Requests to test out must be submitted by May 1 using the Testing Out Registration Form. Math course test-out requests will be reviewed by the OHS Math Department for placement.
Testing occurs the week after school ends. Successful testers may need schedule changes the following year. Seventh and eighth graders who test out are not guaranteed enrollment in the next course and may use 21f to complete coursework if scheduling conflicts arise.
Testing out credit counts toward the 22 credits required for graduation, and the credit appears on transcripts with no letter grade attached or GPA impact.
Passing with a C+ does not guarantee eligibility for advanced placement courses, which often require higher prerequisite grades.
Testing out exams are for placement only; exam content will not be shared, and scores are final. Students/families receive only pass/fail status.
