Credit By Exams & Acceleration
Eligibility
- The student must be enrolled in RISD.
- The student must have the consent of his/her parent(s) or guardian.
- The family must have a conversation with and approval of their child’s campus counselor.
- The student shall not be eligible to take an RISD acceleration examination for any grade for which he/she has had prior instruction.
- The student may take the CBE once per window (Jan-March, April-June, July-Sept, Oct-Dec).
- The student may attempt the CBE no more than two times, with the second attempt being an alternate exam source (Texas Tech University).
2025-2026 Credit By Exam Dates
December Test Administration
- Applications deadline: November 14, 2025 at 11:59 p.m.
- Test dates: December 9 & 10, 2025
Summer Test Administration
- Applications due: May 6, 2026 at 11:59 p.m.
- Tests June 9 & 10, 2026; July 7 & 8, 2026
Preparation
Preparation materials are available online from both University of Texas and Texas Tech University, and can be accessed through the green buttons below. When families register their child for one or more CBEs through the district, Advanced Learning Programs & Services will provide them with the link to the University of Texas study guides
If a student is registered for a CBE with Prior Instruction or as a Verification of Credit, the campus will provide the links. If they register on their own for a Texas Tech online CBE, the family is responsible for downloading the Texas Tech study guide/s.
NOTE: UT allows for K-2 tests to be read aloud. It is up to each district to determine the best method for determining the need for acceleration of their students. Since students in grades 2 and 3 will need to be able to read independently, we read tests aloud for Kindergarten only.
- UT Available Exams
- UT Study Guides
- TTU Available Exams and Study Guides (TTU is the alternative exam source for retests)
Records
The District Director of Advanced Learning Program Services, the Curriculum Directors, and the school principal will certify the results of the examination.
Kindergarten: In those cases in which a passing grade is earned for acceleration to first grade, the cumulative record will show “Kindergarten Acceleration,” and the scores earned. If acceleration is not earned, no entry will be made on the student’s permanent record.
Elementary: In those cases in which a passing grade is earned for acceleration to the next grade level, the permanent record will show “Credit by Exam,” the grade earned, and grade level placement. If a grade of 80 or above is not earned on each of the four (4) tests, the student’s permanent record will not reflect grade(s) earned on these examinations.
Secondary: The grade of 80 or above will be recorded on the permanent record for grades 6–8 or on the Academic Achievement Record (AAR) for grades 9–12. Some courses may require passing a state mandated End-of-Course exam for credit and/or graduation. If a grade of 80 or above is not earned on the test, the AAR (transcript) will not reflect grade earned on this examination. (See EHDC(LEGAL) and EHDC(LOCAL)) Credit is awarded for regular rather than Advanced or AP.
Fees
The District shall not charge for the first attempt of a CBE. If a parent requests an alternative examination, the District may administer and recognize results of a test purchased by the parent or student from Texas Tech University.
Off-Campus Courses
When students accelerate in individual subjects, particularly math, RISD will offer instruction as follows:
- 5th grade students (Lake Highlands Learning Community only) who qualify for 6th grade math may take the course in person at their feeder middle school or through an online class taught each morning by a RISD teacher. If a family chooses the in person option, they are responsible for transporting their child to and from the middle school for class each day. If a family chooses the online option, the class takes place each morning during zero hour, which begins at 7:30.
- 6th-grade students (Berkner, Pearce, and Richardson Learning Communities) who qualify for Pre-Algebra may take the course in person at their feeder junior high or through an online class taught each morning by a RISD teacher. If a family chooses the in person option, they are responsible for transporting their child to and from the junior high each class day. If a family chooses the online option, the class takes place each morning during zero hour, which begins at 7:30.
- 8th-grade students who need Algebra 2 may take the course on their middle school or junior high campus.
Kindergarten Acceleration
Assessment for acceleration will be available quarterly to students entering Kindergarten in the Richardson Independent School District. Only those students who achieve a score of 80 on the math test and the language arts test on the student screening of Texas Essential Elements Knowledge and Skills (TEKS), will be accelerated. Dates for administering acceleration examinations will be announced quarterly by the Department of Advanced Learning Program and Services. Opportunities for a student who is homeless or in substitute care who transfers to the district after the start of the school year will be provided at any point in the school year.
Procedure
- The parent will enroll the student in an RISD school.
- Families considering acceleration must speak with their homeroom teacher or counselor to begin the process of determining if acceleration is appropriate.
- Applications for testing must be submitted via the online form no later than the posted application deadline.
- The Advanced Learning Programs and Services office will order the tests from the University of Texas and the parent(s) will be notified of the date, time, and location of the acceleration exam via email.
- If the student earns a score of 80 or higher on the math test and the language arts test, a test administrator will interview the parent.
- A placement committee will review the results and make a placement decision.
- The Advanced Learning Programs and Services office will notify the parents/guardians and the school of the results.
Grades 1-5 Acceleration
Examinations for acceleration will be available quarterly to elementary students entering grades one through five of the Richardson Independent School District in compliance with state policy. District examinations over the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) will be administered. Only those students who make a minimum of 80 on each of the four (4) tests will be accelerated. There will be no grade level acceleration for students who pass individual portions of the test; however, principals may accommodate those students according to district and/or building guidelines. Dates for administering acceleration examinations will be announced quarterly by the Department of Advanced Learning and Program Services. Opportunities for a student who is homeless or in substitute care who transfers to the district after the start of the school year will be provided at any point in the school year.
Procedure
- Families considering acceleration must speak with their homeroom teacher or counselor to begin the process of determining if acceleration is appropriate.
- Applications for testing must be submitted via the online form no later than the posted application deadline. The following options and resources are available:
- The Office of Advanced Learning and Program Services will notify the student and/or parent(s) or guardian of the date, time, and specific location for the examination.
- A placement committee will review the results and make a placement decision.
- The Advanced Learning Programs and Services office will notify the parents/guardians and the school of the results.
Grades 6-12 Acceleration
Credit by Exam, as stipulated by TEA, is available quarterly to all students enrolled in RISD. Dates for administering acceleration examinations will be announced quarterly by the Department of Advanced Learning and Program Services. Opportunities for a student who is homeless or in substitute care who transfers to the district after the start of the school year will be provided at any point in the school year.
In secondary school, grades 6–12, students may take a Credit by Exam in one or more courses. He/she must score at or above 80 percent in order to receive credit for that course. See the Secondary Program of Studies for additional details.
Procedure
- Families considering acceleration must speak with their counselor to begin the process of determining if acceleration is appropriate.
- Applications for testing must be submitted via the online form no later than the posted application deadline. The following options and resources are available.
- The office of Advanced Learning and Program Services will notify the student and/or parent(s) or guardian of the date, time, and specific location for the examination.
- A placement committee will review the results and make a placement decision.
- The Advanced Learning Programs and Services office will notify the parents/guardians and the school of the results.