Bible Challenge Exams

Credit for the following courses may be obtained by taking a Challenge Exam, instead of attending the actual class or taking a distance education course.  Here are some of the details regarding the procedure:

  1. What courses can be challenged?
    BBST 110.CH - New Testament History & Literature
    BBST 150.CH - Old Testament Survey

  2. Who is permitted to take these exams?
    Challenge exams are ONLY for students who have a working knowledge or academic-level knowledge of the course content as a result of prior learning, but were not able to transfer that coursework to Biola.

  3. When does one sign-up for the exams?
    Exams must be taken within the student’s first two terms in the program.

  4. How much does it cost to take the exam?
    A $50 non-refundable fee is due and payable at the time you take the exam.  The fee is required whether or not the exam is passed.  No additional tuition is charged for the units.

  5. What Are the exams like?
    Exams are given in two parts:  written and oral.  Two hours are allowed to complete the written portion, which is objective in nature (multiple choice and matching).  A minimum score of 65% must be earned on the written section in order for the student to sit for the oral interview.  If this is done, the oral examination follows with a designated faculty member who regularly teaches the course being challenged.  A combined score of 75% must be attained on the written and oral portions in order for the student to pass the challenge exam.  Grades are recorded on a credit (CR) or no credit (NC) basis only.

    The Challenge Exams focus on:
    • Historical, geographical, cultural, and religious background of the biblical text
    • Theme, author, and occasion of writing for individual books
    • Significance and meaning of key passages and personalities

  6. How should one prepare for the exams?
    Review class notes from previous courses taken. 

    Examples of textbooks that have been used in classes are:
    • Frank, Atlas of Bible Lands
    • Gundry, A Survey of the New Testament
    • Hill & Walton, A Survey of Israel’s History
    • OTI: Old Testament Interactive; Computerized drill via Internet.
    • Wilkins, Following the Master
    • Wood, A Survey of Israel’s History

  7. What happens if the exam is not passed?
    Students who do not pass the exam must take the class.  Re-takes are not permitted.