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  • DTP Success Team

DSST Exam Pass Rates

Updated: Sep 1



Table of Contents

  1. Introduction

  2. What are DSST Exams?

  3. The Importance of DSST Exam Pass Rates

  4. Military DSST Exam Pass Rates

  5. Factors Influencing DSST Exam Pass Rates

  6. Trends and Insights

  7. Conclusion

  8. Student Resources

  9. References


Introduction


In the dynamic world of education and career advancement, standardized testing is pivotal in evaluating students' knowledge and skills.


Among the various exam options available, DSST (DANTES Subject Standardized Tests) is an invaluable opportunity for students seeking to earn college credits efficiently and reduce their student debt burden.


Let's explore the DSST pass rates, their significance, and their positive impact on student debt reduction.


What are DSST Exams?


DSST exams, also called DANTES tests, allow students to showcase their knowledge in particular subjects and obtain college credits.


These credit-by-examination opportunities are available in various fields, including humanities, social sciences, business, and technology.


DSST exams are flexible, allowing students to customize their academic path to match their interests and professional goals.


The Importance of DSST Exam Pass Rates


DSST pass rates hold immense significance as they provide valuable insights into the efficacy of these exams.


Higher pass rates indicate many test-takers successfully demonstrate their knowledge and earn college credits.


This achievement validates their prior learning experiences and allows them to fast-track their degree completion, reducing student debt.


We've gathered the military passage rates for each course you'll need and those you might want to look at.


It is possible that the DSST Military Passage rates "may" be a good predictor of how complex or straightforward an exam will be.


And if you're anything like most students, you probably want to know which exams are the easiest and have the highest passage rates.


This information can help your studies go smoother when it comes time to take your test.


Generally, a lower passage rate indicates a more challenging test and a higher passage rate indicates a more straightforward exam.


However, this is not always the case, so use them as rough guidelines.


And remember, the wiser you study, the higher your probability of success will be, no matter how difficult the exam.


Exam passage rates "might" be an excellent predictor of how difficult or simple a test will be.

Military DSST Exam Pass Rates

DSST Exam Title

โ€‹FY 2022

FY 2021

FY 2020

FY 2019

FY 2018

A History of the Vietnam War

โ€‹67%

โ€‹49%

47%

43%

61%

Art of the Western World

โ€‹14%

โ€‹10%

16%

4%

19%

Astronomy

โ€‹41%

33%

24%

30%

52%

Business Ethics and Society

โ€‹92%

โ€‹61%

55%

โ€‹51%

54%

Business Mathematics

โ€‹28%

57%

86%

43%

55%

Computing and Information Technology

โ€‹72%

โ€‹65%

66%

79%

78%

Criminal Justice

โ€‹69%

โ€‹71%

73%

69%

72%

Environmental Science

โ€‹76%

63%

60%

52%

51%

Ethics in America

โ€‹66%

55%

53%

51%

54%

Ethics in Technology

68%

โ€‹66%

90%

81%

n/a


DSST Exam Title

โ€‹FY 2022

FY 2021

FY 2019

FY 2020

FY 2018

Foundations of Education

โ€‹42%

โ€‹47%

23%

29%

64%

Fundamentals of College Algebra

โ€‹17%

โ€‹18%

13%

17%

10%

Fundamentals of Counseling

โ€‹57%

18%

5%

6%

24%

Fundamentals of Cybersecurity

โ€‹68%

73%

76%

73%

76%

General Anthropology

โ€‹58%

36%

44%

49%

63%

Health and Human Development

โ€‹74%

77%

70%

74%

75%

History of the Soviet Union

โ€‹54%

โ€‹51%

70%

73%

52%

Human Cultural Geography

โ€‹n/a

โ€‹n/a

n/a

n/a

37%

Human Resource Management

โ€‹60%

โ€‹60%

57%

61%

58%

Introduction to Business

โ€‹81%

70%

84%

66%

81%


DSST Exam Title

โ€‹FY 2022

โ€‹FY 2021

FY 2020

FY 2019

FY 2018

Introduction to Geography

โ€‹46%

41%

29%

34%

n/a

Introduction to Geology

โ€‹18%

โ€‹14%

8%

6%

n/a

Introduction to Law Enforcement

77%

โ€‹77%

72%

72%

63%

Introduction to World Religions

โ€‹31%

45%

62%

55%

61%

Lifespan Developmental Psychology

62%

โ€‹58%

53%

48%

48%

Management Information Systems

โ€‹78%

57%

62%

73%

66%

Math for Liberal Arts

โ€‹25%

โ€‹19%

5%

5%

5%

Money and Banking

โ€‹65%

โ€‹67%

62%

49%

54%

Organizational Behavior

โ€‹48%

47%

43%

39%

39%

Personal Finance

โ€‹71%

71%

70%

71%

75%


DSST Exam Title

โ€‹FY 2022

โ€‹FY 2021

FY 2020

FY 2019

FY 2018

Principles of Advanced English Composition

โ€‹48%

โ€‹52%

47%

45%

43%

Principles of Finance

โ€‹57%

14%

22%

24%

25%

Principles of Public Speaking

โ€‹62%

59%

73%

56%

65%

Principles of Statistics

โ€‹32%

โ€‹34%

37%

25%

27%

Principles of Supervision

โ€‹65%

โ€‹62%

59%

88%

87%

Substance Abuse

โ€‹59%

โ€‹65%

72%

51%

60%

Technical Writing

โ€‹94%

88%

84%

79%

81%

The Civil War and Reconstruction

โ€‹45%

โ€‹25%

33%

32%

44%


Don't be discouraged if your exam has a low passing percentage.

Factors Influencing DSST Exam Pass Rates


Preparation


Adequate preparation is a crucial determinant of success in DSST exams. Students who invest time reviewing study materials, taking practice tests, and engaging in focused study sessions tend to perform better, increasing their chances of earning college credits and minimizing student loan obligations.


Familiarity with the Subject Matter


Students with prior knowledge or professional experience in a subject area may find it easier to navigate DSST exams and secure passing scores, paving the way for reduced student debt.


Test-Taking Strategies


Effective test-taking strategies, including time management and critical thinking, significantly boost students' performance and improve their chances of success.


Trends and Insights


Technology and Business Subjects on the Rise


Recent years have witnessed a surge in DSST exam popularity, especially in technology and business-related subjects.


This trend aligns with the growing demand for skilled professionals in these fields, opening doors for students to enhance their employability while curbing student debt.


Growth in Online Learning


The advent of online education and distance learning has democratized access to DSST exams.


This expansion in accessibility has led to an increased number of test-takers, positively influencing pass rates and contributing to reduced student debt burdens.


Conclusion


Remember, passage rates vary each year.


For example:


The DSST Principles of Supervision exam has held the top spot for many years, with a success rate of 87% in 2018 and 88% in 2019.


This is an excellent exam to attempt with figures like these.


However, in 2021, the passage rate fell to 62%.


The test is challenging, but you can still succeed with a little focus and extra study time.


Again, a lot of factors affect whether or not you'll pass an exam, such as:

  • The quality of the study materials you use

  • The amount of time you spend studying

  • Whether or not you have real-world experience in the subject

  • The test's difficulty level

  • And more!

So, while passage rates can give you a good idea of how other students have fared on a test, keep them from being the sole factor in your decision to take a DSST exam.


Use these DSST military passage rates as one of many factors in your decision-making process.


If you find yourself in a bit of a bind during your studies or need to know what study materials suit you, take a free practice test and see what subjects you're most comfortable with.


With some studying, you'll be able to ace your DSST test and get the scores you need for college credit.


We found that the average DSST pass rate with our assistance was around 70% - 90% (depending on the exam title).


As we acknowledge the success of past DSST exam pass rates, we should also recognize the significant potential these exams have in decreasing student debt and creating better opportunities for the future.


DSST exams offer a pathway to college credits and provide students with the tools to minimize the financial burden of higher education.


With a diverse range of subjects and consistent pass rates, DSST exams will continue to empower students to pursue their dreams while easing the weight of student debt, making education more accessible and achievable.


And remember - always speak with your academic counselor before taking any DSST exam.


Happy Testing!


Student Resources


References


DSST FY 2022 Military Pass Rates
.pdf
Download PDF โ€ข 391KB

DSST FY 2021 Military Pass Rates
.pdf
Download PDF โ€ข 353KB

DSST FY 2020 Military Pass Rates
.pdf
Download PDF โ€ข 341KB

DSST FY 2019 Military Pass Rates
.pdf
Download PDF โ€ข 120KB

DSST FY 2018 Military Pass Rates
.pdf
Download PDF โ€ข 282KB

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