E 115 Credit By Exam Information

We host an E 115 Credit by Exam (CBE), which is one exam to gain credit for E 115. Please review the E 115 website and read the textbook online thoroughly to make sure you have enough background to pass the exam!

Make sure your log in with your University email (unityID@ncsu.edu) to access the form. The form is open to anyone with an ncsu.edu email.

Register here.

You’re eligible to take the CBE if you:

  • Are enrolled in the College of Engineering or Engineering First Year program
  • Need E 115 for a major or minor requirement
  • Are currently enrolled in E 115 for the semester you wish to take the exam

Any of the above can be true, and none of the below can be true.

You’re not eligible to take the CBE if you have:

  • Previously failed the E 115 CBE
  • Received a U (Fail) or W (Withdrawal) in E 115
  • Been enrolled in E 115 past the drop deadline
  • Been enrolled in or received credit for COS 100 (formerly PAMS 100)

When and Where Is the CBE?

The E 115 CBE is offered once per semester at the beginning of the term.

  • Spring, Fall, Summer Sessions — Held during the first week of classes
  • Location: Lampe Hall (check the sign-up form for room and time)
  • Format: In-person only; no online option available

What’s on the Exam?

To pass the CBE, you need to score 70% or higher on all parts of the exam. Content includes:

  • File Systems: Navigating and managing the NFS file tree
  • UNIX Commands: Creating, moving, and editing files
  • HTML/CSS: Building and styling simple web pages
  • GitHub: Creating a repository and building a simple web page that is visible.
  • Excel: Using basic formulas and identifying errors
  • Security: Basics of networking, hardware, and operating systems
  • Remote Access: Using the NC State Virtual Computing Lab

How to Register for the CBE:

  1. Complete the registration form (Link) by the specified deadline. For Fall 2025, it is August 20, 2025.
  2. Wait for confirmation and exam details via email.

What to Bring on Exam Day:

  • Photo ID (required for entry)
  • Laptop and charger (if using your own device)
  • Pen and blank sheet of paper for notes
  • Installed Software: Terminal/Putty, Microsoft Office, and a text editor

If You Pass the CBE:

  • Drop E 115 from your schedule via MyPack Portal by the last drop day.
    • If you are co-enrolled in CSC 111, 113, or 116 you may not be able to self-drop. Please work with advising to get help with this.
  • Your CBE credit will be posted to your transcript by the end of the semester.

If You Don’t Pass the CBE:

  • You must enroll in E 115 as required by your program.
  • No penalty for failing, but you can only attempt the CBE once.

Degree Audit and Major Identification Printing Instructions

A degree audit is needed to fill out the CBE form.

  1. Log into My Pack Portal using your Unity ID and password
  2. Go to your Student Homepage and click on the Planning & Enrollment tile
  3. On the left hand menu, choose the degree audit.
  4. Once at your degree audit, unclick the planned courses button and then view your current
    major’s degree audit (as seen below) or create a “What If report” for a major or minor.
  5. While in your degree audit, click on the printer icon or the word print to print your degree
    audit. Most computers have the ability to print to Adobe PDF (as seen below). Please be sure to
    print out your entire degree audit.
  6. Save this document as UnityID_degree-audit.pdf, substituting your UnityID.
  7. Alternatively, you can click on the left hand menu to get to your class rank. Once chosen,
    look at what it says next to “Academic Plan”. That is your current major as it is coded in
    MyPack.