In credit for prior learning (also known as prior learning assessment, recognition of prior learning, lifelong learning credit, or experiential learning) refers to the assessment in which academic discipline faculty in colleges/universities administer locally developed examinations to determine whether a student can illustrate the learning outcomes of a course.  Challenge exams are known by terms such as institutional exams, credit by exam, departmental exams, or proficiency exams. The assessment process provides academic departments the flexibility to tailor exams to fit specific course curricula, give program faculty confidence the exams reflect an appropriate level of academic rigor, and provides faculty direct control of the assessment process.