Excelsior University Online Exams: How to Pass & What to Expect

Excelsior University is one of the most unique institutions in American higher education. Originally founded in 1971 as Regents College, Excelsior pioneered the credit-by-exam model — allowing students to earn college credits by passing examinations rather than sitting through traditional courses. For working adults, military members, and non-traditional students, this model can dramatically accelerate degree completion.

But Excelsior's exams are challenging and often misunderstood. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know: how the system works, which exams to take, how to prepare, and how BAM's expert support helps students pass on their first attempt.

How Excelsior's Credit-by-Exam System Works

Excelsior University offers two main paths to earn credit without traditional coursework:

• UExcel Exams: Excelsior's own credit-by-exam program. You register, study independently, and take a proctored exam. Pass the exam, earn college credit. No courses, no homework, no semester waits.
• Online Courses: Traditional online courses taught by Excelsior faculty with graded assignments, discussions, and a proctored final exam.

UExcel exams are proctored either in-person at a testing center or via remote proctoring (with a webcam and screenshare). They are typically multiple-choice (75–120 questions) and 2–3 hours long. Some exams also include short-answer or essay components.

Exam Categories Available

Excelsior offers UExcel exams across nearly every academic discipline. Here are the most popular categories:

Scoring System

UExcel exam scores are reported as letter grades (A, B, C, D, F or Distinction/Pass/Fail depending on the exam). Here's how scoring typically breaks down:

Letter Grade	Typical Score Range	Credit Awarded
A (Distinction)	90–100%	Yes — full credit with A grade
B	80–89%	Yes — full credit with B grade
C	70–79%	Yes — full credit with C grade
D	60–69%	Credit awarded (check if your school accepts D)
F	Below 60%	No credit. Must wait 90 days to retake

How to Prepare for Excelsior Exams

Excelsior provides a "Content Guide" for each UExcel exam — a document listing every topic that may appear. This is your most important prep resource. Every BAM preparation session begins with a thorough review of the content guide.

Standard Preparation Process

1. Download the Content Guide: Available free on Excelsior's website for each exam. This is your study roadmap.
2. Assess your current knowledge: How much do you already know about the subject from work experience, prior courses, or life experience?
3. Select study materials: Excelsior recommends specific textbooks. BAM also provides comprehensive subject study guides aligned to each Content Guide.
4. Study in organized blocks: Cover each major content area systematically — don't skip sections even if you feel confident.
5. Take practice exams: Excelsior sells official practice exams ($15–$25 each). Always take at least 2 before your real exam.
6. Review weak areas: After each practice test, identify weak topics and do targeted review — don't just take test after test without fixing gaps.
7. Schedule your exam with confidence: Once you're scoring 80%+ on practice exams consistently, you're ready.

Preparation Timeline

Background Level	Recommended Prep Time	Study Hours/Day
No prior knowledge	8–12 weeks	2–3 hours
Some related experience	4–6 weeks	2 hours
Strong prior knowledge	2–3 weeks	1–2 hours
Expert/professional background	1–2 weeks (review only)	1 hour

Remote Proctoring: What to Expect

Most students take UExcel exams via remote proctoring from home. Here's what the process looks like:

• Equipment check: Webcam, microphone, reliable internet, and a cleared workspace required
• ID verification: You'll show a valid government ID at the start of the session
• Room scan: The proctor will ask you to slowly show your testing area via webcam
• No notes or books: UExcel exams are closed-book unless specifically stated otherwise
• No unauthorized apps: Only the testing interface should be open — no calculators, reference sites, or communication apps
• Scratch paper: Some proctors allow a whiteboard or blank paper that must be shown and destroyed after the exam

Easiest vs. Hardest Excelsior Exams

Not all UExcel exams are created equal. Based on student performance data and BAM's experience, here are general difficulty assessments:

Typically Easier (Good Starting Points)

• Introduction to Psychology — broad content, mostly conceptual
• Introduction to Sociology — reading comprehension driven
• Business Ethics — essay-focused, multiple perspectives
• English Composition — writing skills based
• U.S. History — factual but well-defined scope

Typically More Challenging

• Anatomy & Physiology — extensive memorization of systems, structures, and functions
• Microbiology — detailed microbial content, disease processes
• Pharmacology — drug classes, mechanisms, nursing implications
• Statistics — formulas, probability, and data analysis calculations
• Pathophysiology — disease mechanisms across all body systems

Excelsior Online Courses vs. UExcel Exams

Besides UExcel exams, Excelsior also offers fully online courses taught by faculty. Here's how they compare:

Feature	UExcel Exam	Online Course
Cost	$95–$130 per exam	$510–$610 per credit
Time to complete	Your own timeline	8–16 weeks per course
Support	None (self-directed)	Faculty, graded assignments
Best for	Subjects you know well	New subjects needing instruction
Risk	All-or-nothing on exam day	Grade built over time

How BAM Supports Excelsior Students

Excelsior's credit-by-exam model is powerful, but it requires self-direction and deep content knowledge. That's where BAM comes in. Our Excelsior specialists provide:

• Content Guide-aligned study plans for any UExcel exam
• Subject-specific tutoring by experts who know Excelsior's exam format and question style
• Online course support: assignments, discussions, and final exam prep for Excelsior courses
• Practice exam coaching: full review of every wrong answer with explanation
• Proctoring environment setup guidance — ensuring you're compliant and ready
• Nursing exam specialists for A&P, Pharmacology, Microbiology, and Pathophysiology
• Pass-guarantee support: if you don't pass, we'll support your retake prep at no extra charge