A college student will encounter so-called exams and credits during his/her studies. Why are they important and what is the difference between them?
What is the difference between an exam and a credit?
A credit and an exam are the same as the end of a course at university. Their purpose is no different; you must always succeed in them as a student, otherwise the specific course is considered incomplete and you will not be awarded the required credits for that course.
However, credit is generally not graded. Only whether or not the student succeeded is graded. A successful student will take home a grade of "credit"; therefore, this type of course completion is referred to as credit. Credit that is classically graded is called classified.
The student then always receives a grade on the exam. In some cases, credit and examinations may be linked. Courses that are spread over several semesters are thus first completed by credit and only at the very end does the student take an examination.
In this case, the criteria for obtaining credit may be more lenient, since it is assumed that the student's knowledge will be consistently verified only in the examination. Even the credit itself is usually easier and the required pass rate is usually around 70 to 80 %.
The exam itself can then be written in the form of a test or oral. The oral form of the exam is more common. Credit may then be awarded for the written test, but less often also for meeting other prescribed requirements, e.g. for submitting prescribed term papers or 'only' for regular attendance at class.
Where and how to get information about exams and credits?
Students should always be familiar with the requirements for completing a particular course and their credit grades. The details should then be set out in the study and examination regulations of the particular university. This document is then commonly available to students online.
Similarly, at the European Training Academy, the study and examination regulations require students to pass either an examination or a credit in the relevant subjects. The conditions for the award of the examination are then specified in the syllabus of the specific course.
The student determines the timing of the credit tests and examinations. It should be noted that the exam must be taken in person in the school building. Completion of the exams and credits is then linked to the acquisition of ECTS credits and proper completion of studies.