DSST - Dantes Subject Standardized Exams
What is the DSST Exam?
DSSTs are college subject exams traditionally offered to military personnel but now open to civilians as well. These exams allow students to earn college credit, similar to CLEP exams, though the structure and offerings differ slightly. DSST exams cover more than 37 subjects across various areas, including business, humanities, social sciences, and technology.
About DSST
The audience for DSST exams has broadened significantly over the years. Since 2006, these exams have been accessible to anyone seeking college credit outside the traditional classroom, including college students, adult learners, high school students, and military personnel.
It’s common to confuse DSST with DANTES (Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support), a division of the Department of Defense that provides educational support to military members. In 2004, Prometric acquired the exams and now owns and administers them.
Guidelines for awarding college credit for DSST are based upon ACE and CCC faculty review of the DSST course curriculum and an evaluation of learning outcomes. Faculty recommendations have established the course equivalencies for awarding college credit at CCC.
Preparation for a Test
Please consider these study materials to prepare for your exam
Applying for the Exam
DSST exams must be taken at authorized testing centers, mostly on college campuses.
Click here to find an institution that accepts and/or administers DSST exams.
Cost of Exam
- The test fee is $100 per exam. This fee does not include any administrative costs the testing site may require.
- For Veterans, the DSST exam is an approved VA National Testing Program under the Post 9/11 GI Bill. The VA will reimburse the DSST exam fee ($100) and the testing center administrative fee (amount varies per location). Visit the VA Website for more information.
Exam name |
Min Score |
Equivalent Course |
Course Title |
Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
BUSINESS |
||||
| Business Mathematics | 400 and above | BUS 141 | Business Mathematics | 3 |
| Computing and Information Technology | 400 and above | CIS 116 | Operating Systems I | 3 |
| Human Resource Management | 400 and above | BUS 271 | Human Resource Management | 3 |
| Intro to Business | 400 and above | BUS 111 | Intro to Business | 3 |
| Money and Banking | 400 and above | BUS 161 | Principle of Bank Operations | 3 |
| Personal Finance | 400 and above | BUS 244 | Personal Finance | 3 |
| Principles of Finance | 400 and above | BUS 241 | Introduction to Finance | 3 |
HUMANITITES |
||||
| Principles of Public Speaking | 400 and above | SPEECH 101-1 | Fundamentals of Speech Communication | 3 |
MATH |
||||
| Math for Liberal Arts | 400 and above | MATH 118 | General Education Math | 4 |
| Principles of Statistics | 400 and above | MATH 125 | Introductory Statistics | 4 |
SOCIAL SCIENCES |
||||
| A History of the Vietnam War | 400 and above | HISTORY 888 | History Elective | 3 |
| History of the Soviet Union Formerly – The Rise and Fall of the Soviet Union |
400 and above | HISTORY 888 | History Elective | 3 |
| Introduction Law Enforcement | 400 and above | CRIM JUST 221 | Police Organization and Management | 3 |
| Lifespan Development Psychology | 400 and above | PSYCH 224 | Life Span Developmental Psychology | 3 |
*Exams taken before 01.01.1990 will not be accepted.
