PSYC 100 is our “Introductory Psychology” course, worth 4 credit hours. Students can be granted test-based credit for it by earning a 5 on the AP Psychology exam, by earning a 6 or 7 on the IB Psychology exam, or by receiving a score of 70% or higher on the Psychology 100 Proficiency Exam.
TEST DATES
Thursday, January 22, 2026, 5:00 - 7:00 pm, Location TBD
ELIGIBILITY
Available to students who have not earned credit in any Psychology course (except for PSYC 199). The test may be taken only once.
TEST CONTENT
In-person test: 120 multiple-choice questions (2 hours) and you must get at least 70% of the questions correct in order to pass the exam and thereby earn PSYC 100 proficiency credit. You will have a maximum of two hours to take the test. "Lilienfeld, S.O., Lynn, S.J., Namy, L.L., & Woolf, N.J. (2018). Psychology: From inquiry to understanding, (4th Edition), Pearson Education: Inc.: Boston, MA., is the textbook used to create the test questions.
SIGN-UP
Use the on-line Proficiency Test scheduler to sign up for a slot. You'll receive detailed instructions about what to expect on the test day.
Fall test sign up begins in mid-June.
Spring test sign up begins first Monday in December.
NOTIFICATION
Within a week of taking the test, you will be contacted through e-mail. If your test score is 70% or higher, you will earn test-based proficiency credit for PSYC 100.
If you have any questions about signing up for the PSYC 100 proficiency exam, please contact the Psychology Undergraduate Advising Office: psych-advising@illinois.edu.