Demonstrated Competency Assessments

The Utah State Board of Education requires school districts to provide students with the opportunity to earn original credit by demonstrating competency. Students can demonstrate competency by passing a state-approved Demonstrated Competency Assessment (DCA). Please read carefully the following important points:
 
  • Students who wish to take a DCA must be enrolled in an ASD high school. 
  • Students may take DCAs at any time during grades 9 – 12.
  • Students earn required or elective credit for certain courses by passing DCAs instead of earning credit through traditional classroom enrollment.
  • Test fee of $25 applies to World Languages exam only, all others are free.
  • Under guidance of a school counselor, the DCA can accelerate a student’s education.
  • The premise of a competency exam is that a student already possesses the knowledge and skills required, therefore, no study guides or practice assessments are provided in preparation for the assessment.
  • Application is available online.
  • Each assessment may be taken only once per year, per subject tested.
  • Citizenship credit is not awarded for passing any DCA.
  • ASD uses a P mark to indicate if credit was earned. Traditional letter grades are not awarded. 
  • Assessments vary in duration and process according to the required competencies to be demonstrated. Therefore, some assessments require multiple appointments, while some require that the student take the assessment home to be completed over a sustained period time. This allows students appropriate time and conditions to demonstrate the required competencies being assessed.

AVAILABLE ASSESSMENTS

 

  • English Language Arts (9, 10, 11)
  • Health 2
  • PE— Fitness for Life
  • Secondary Math 1, 2 & 3
  • World Geography
  • World Language

REGISTRATION PROCESS

Once you have met with your school counselor to determine if the DCAs are an appropriate option for you, you may register using this form. You will then be contacted by ASD personnel to set up your appointment.

ASSESSMENT RESULTS

A notification letter with the test results will be sent to the email(s) provided by the student, parent(s) or guardian(s), and school counselor.

Be advised:

Credit earned through the Demonstrated Competency Assessment program is accepted by public and charter schools within the State of Utah, as supported by state law. 

Students pursuing a college athletic career be advised that the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) does NOT recognize courses completed through credit-by-exam and will NOT be accepted to meet NCAA eligibility.

Students pursuing the Scholarships are responsible to contact the scholarship  office to determine if DCAs will meet the scholarship qualifications.

Search

Please check school websites for school based resources, such as bell schedules and school meals. Employees should visit the Alpine Employe Gateway for employee specific resources. 

Registration is postponed until further notice.

Steps to Register

01.

View the Clear Creek Camp Schedule in the “Registration FAQs” document. We recommend selecting a few dates in case your first choice sells out.

02.

Once registration is open, click “Eventbrite Registration” and select the date of your choice.

03.

Fill in all requested student registration information and pay the required registration fee.

04.

Complete Student Information & Health Form.