U.S. Constitution Challenge Examination
Administered by the College of Extended Learning at CSUSB

Testing sites: The Learning Center at CSUSB and CSUSB Palm Desert Campus

This challenge examination option is intended for California teaching credential candidates and others who must fulfill the U.S. Constitution requirement for Baccalaureate candidates.

Important Note: By definition, this is a challenge examination to a full college-level course.  As such, it is a very difficult examination and the assumption is that those challenging the exam need only a review to help them prepare for the challenge examination. It is assumed that those challenging this examination have read the constitution and studied other pertinent documents and texts.

The options below present three ways that will help prepare you for the examination and students may approach the preparation and exam in one of three ways:

1) Register with the College of Extended Learning for a one-day U.S. Constitution exam preparation course and ensuing exam. This preparation course is offered at least once per quarter and yields the highest success rate of the three options for preparation for the examination. This course is designed to help prepare you for the challenge examination and includes a presentation of the basic principles and provisions of the U.S. Constitution and its amendments but is not a complete preparation for the exam. An opportunity to take the U.S. Constitution exam is administered at the conclusion of the course (but students can delay taking their first attempt at the exam if they wish).

To register for this option, refer to the current Extension Course Catalog; or go to our Web site at http://cel.csusb.edu/catalog.html to register online; or call (909) 537-5976 to register by phone or to request a quarterly Course Catalog in the mail.

2) Register with the College of Extended Learning for weekday video preparation viewing and testing which is conducted by the campus Learning Center (University Hall 351).  The video is designed to help prepare you for the challenge examination and includes a more brief presentation of the basic principles and provisions of the U.S. Constitution and its amendments.  The 1 ½-hour video highlights some key elements of the Constitution, but is not a complete preparation for the exam.

To register for this option, come in person to the College of Extended Learning (Sierra Hall-134). Extended Learning office hours are Monday-Friday, 8 am-5:00 pm. (Summer office hours are Monday through Thursday, 7 am-5:30 pm).  You then go to the Learning Center (University Hall, Room 351) to take the exam that day.  Those choosing this option should allow at least 3 hours: 1 ½ hours to watch the video and the additional time to park, register and study notes taken before taking the exam.

If you choose this option, it is highly recommended that you contact the Learning Center directly at (909) 537-5038 and discuss your proposed time line in light of the Learning Center’s current hours of operation.

For information on hours and schedule at the Palm Desert Campus, please call (760) 341-2883, ext. 78121.

3) Register with the College of Extended Learning for the challenge examination only and prepare for the exam completely on your own.

To register for this option, come in person to the College of Extended Learning (Sierra Hall-134). Extended Learning office hours are Monday-Friday, 8 am-5:00 pm. (Summer office hours are Monday through Thursday, 7 am-5:30 pm).  You then report to the Learning Center (University Hall, Room 351) to take the exam that day.  Those choosing this option should allow at least 2 hours: at least one hour to take the exam and the additional time to park, register and study any notes before taking the exam.

If you choose this option, it is highly recommended that you contact the Learning Center directly at (909) 537-5038 and discuss your proposed time line in light of the Learning Center’s current hours of operation.

For information on hours and schedule at the Palm Desert Campus, please call (760) 341-2883 ext.78109.

All of the above options entitle students to three attempts (maximum) at passing the U.S Constitution exam. The exam contains 50 multiple-choice questions; students must answer at least 35 questions correctly to earn a passing score.  Each attempt is taken with a different version of the exam.  Students who are not successful in their attempt(s) at taking the exam will receive notice of how many questions missed but are not told which questions nor the correct answers; this is a testing experience not a learning experience.

Students must present a photo I.D. before taking the exam. No notes can be used during the exam. Each of the three options must be completed within a year from the date you register. (Students who fail the exam three times must take an appropriate University course to complete this requirement.)

Certificates are issued by the College of Extended Learning to those who pass, and a notation is made on their University permanent record. A certificate of passing or notice of failure will be sent by mail, usually within 7-10 business days of taking the exam.

Note that this is a testing experience and not an educational experience.  Students who take this exam will not be given the correct answers to questions missed.

FEES:

$85.00—U.S. Constitution preparation course; includes prep course, examination administration and scoring of first exam attempt.

$72.00—U.S. Constitution preparation video and examination; includes one video review, examination administration and scoring of first exam attempt.

$50.00—U.S. Constitution exam only; no video or classroom preparation; includes administration and scoring of each exam attempt, up to three attempts. (Additional $50.00—U.S. Constitution examination administration and scoring fee for each of the second and third exam attempts.)

$31.00—Additional video review only.

Suggested books in the CSUSB Pfau Library to review for the U.S. Constitution exam:
American Government (eighth edition) by James Q. Wilson and John J. Dilulio, Jr. ( Chapters 2 and 11)
The Founding of the Democratic Republic by Martin Diamond. ( Chapters 2, 3, 4)