Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Educational Standardized Subject Tests (DANTES)

What is DANTES?
The DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (DSST) Program is nationally recognized testing program that provides students the opportunity to receive college credit for learning acquired outside the traditional college classroom. The program consists of exams in 38 undergraduate college courses. The computer-based exams are offered daily while the paper-based exams are offered once per month.

Why take DANTES exams?
Students take DANTES exams to save time and money, move right into advanced courses, graduate on time, and satisfy a proficiency requirement. Many students save time and money by taking DANTES exams to gain college credit for what they already know whether it was learned by Individualized Study, advanced high school courses, professional development, or occupation skills. Taking DANTES exams can provide students the opportunity to satisfy prerequisite courses and move into the advance courses.

What are the policies & procedures for DANTES?
Mountain State University has a set of policies and procedures for registering for DANTES exams.

• Paper-based exams - Students must pre-register three (3) weeks prior to the date they plan to take the examination to allow sufficient time for ordering the exams. Because these exams cannot be held by the University, exams must be taken on the day they are scheduled or they will be returned.
  
• Computer-based exams – Students must pre-register at least one (1) day in advance of the day they plan to take the examination to secure a seat.
• The fee for a DANTES exam is $70 payable the day of the scheduled exam.

See the complete list of Policies and Procedures.

How is it scored and what is a passing score?
DANTES exams are scored by staff at DANTES upon receipt of the completed exam from the University. Mountain State University recognizes the recommended scores set by the American Council on Education (ACE). A list of exams, required scores for receiving DANTES credit, and MSU equivalent courses are provided.

Any student that does not meet the minimum required score for passing a DANTES exam must wait 6 months before registration to take the exam again.

How do I prepare for a DANTES exam?
There are several resources to prepare for a DANTES exam:

1. The Official DSST Test Preparation Guide — DANTES offers a comprehensive study guide that covers the 8 most popular exams. The 8 exams include: Business Math, Financial Accounting, Introduction to Business, Personal Finance, Ethics in America, Human Resource Management, Organizational Behavior and Principles of Supervision. The study guide provides pretests and posttest for each exam, detailed subject overview and practice sets for mastering critical test-taking skills. The study guide can be purchased directly from the Chauncey Group at www.chauncey.com

2. DANTES Fact Sheets — DANTES has developed a summary fact sheet for each of the 38 exams offered. The fact sheet contains suggested content for review and sample questions and answers for each exam. Fact Sheets may be downloaded free as a PDF file at www.chauncey.com or may be requested at the Testing Center.

3. DSST Practice Tests — DANTS offers online practice tests for the following exams: Drug and Alcohol Abuse, Ethics in America, Here’s to Your Health, Introduction to World Religions, Human Resource Management, Principles of Finance, and Principles of Supervision. Exams cost $4.95 each and are offered online at www.chauncey.com

4. Study Courses — The Chauncey Group has partnered with iStudySmart.com to offer proven student courses that prepare you for DSST exams. Courses are available in printed workbook format or through the Internet and are supported by college-level textbooks. iStudySmart.com allows students to prepare for DANTES exams at their convenience, from work or home. For more information go to www.getcollegecredit.com

How do I get my scores after taking an exam?
Because the exams are paper and pencil-based, the exam must be sent to DANTES for scoring. Students and designated score recipients will receive an official DANTES score transcript within 2-3 weeks of taking the exam.

Dantes Resources
• Policies and Procedures
• Test Exam List
• Registration Form