The Sparrow's Home

: Life is hard. God is good. We need each other.

  • Homeschool
    • Homeschool Curriculum Reviews
    • Homeschooling High School
      • Earning College Credits in High School
    • Elementary, Middle School, & Littles
    • Local Tutoring
  • Recipes
    • Main Dishes
    • Vegetables & Sides
    • Breads
    • Desserts
    • Beverages
    • Freezer Recipes
    • Preserving
  • Faith
    • Resources for Living a Biblical Faith
  • Family
    • Parenting
    • Marriage
    • Everything Disney
    • All the Board Games
    • Themed Entertaining
      • Do you dig a party with a theme?
    • Home & Garden
      • Herbal Remedies
  • Contact
  • Home
    • Web Stories

Meet DSST, the CLEP test’s lesser known cousin

October 15, 2018 by Susan Leave a Comment

This post may contain affiliate links.  See my disclosure for more information.

Like it? Share it!

 

Earning college credits with DSST tests is an amazing way to save money on college.  With a few resources to help you study, you can be earning credits in no time!

I was compensated for my time in writing this review. Opinions are always my own.

 

$30,000.  That’s my estimate of how much we’ve saved on our boys’ college through earning credits by exam.  Thirty-thousand-dollars!

Credits by exam is exactly what it sounds like.  A person takes a test and if they pass, they are awarded college credits.  If you’ve heard of this amazing money-saver, you’ve likely heard of CLEP.  CLEP tests are the most commonly known college credit granting tests.

We love CLEP tests!  But there’s another way to earn these credits by exam that many people miss… DSST tests.  (DANTES Subject Standardized Tests).

I think it’s time more people were introduced to this overlooked resource.

Why DSST Tests?

If you’re wondering what the difference is between CLEP and DSST tests, the best answer is: content.  While there is some overlap in tests, the two mostly offer different test subjects.  And that’s why we utilized both in earning credits by exam!

While CLEP tests cover primarily general education courses with some electives, DSST offers far more elective area studies.  Categories include topics in history, science, business, humanities and more.  You can visit the DSST test site to see fact sheets on what is covered in each course as well as sample questions.

The first test that both of my boys took to earn college credit was World Religions, which is a DSST test.  We had done a semester long study group with other homeschool students and every student took and passed the test.  3 college credits (one class) for around $100.

DSST tests were also the most recent tests we’ve taken.  My youngest son is majoring in Business, and took several tests, earning credit for a number of introductory Business courses before he ever enrolled in a college class.

Earning college credits with DSST tests is an amazing way to save money on college.  With a few resources to help you study, you can be earning credits in no time!

DSST Test Prep

I wrote not too long ago about using Study.com as a resource for preparing for CLEP tests, and I was so excited to hear that they now have DSST prep as well!  Please take the time to check out that post as every single benefit applies equally to their DSST test prep.

Click here to read ‘6 reasons to do your CLEP prep with Study.com’  

Over the years that we utilized credit by exam, we prepared for tests in a number of different ways.  Study groups, individual semester long courses, and preparing for tests without doing a full course.

Study Groups

We loved using study groups to prepare for exams.  When we would meet with our study group, we always watched videos together.  I love (LOVE) the Study.com videos!  The videos are concise and engaging and would work perfectly to watch with a study group as you dig in to your topic

(Hint:  Videos are a great way for students to practice their note taking skills)

Earning college credits with DSST tests is an amazing way to save money on college.  With a few resources to help you study, you can be earning credits in no time!

Individual Courses

Have you ever wished for a resource that would come alongside your curriculum to really help your kids ‘get’ it?  I certainly did!  Study.com is an ideal resource for this purpose.  The brief videos sum up topics in an easy to understand way.  The lessons highlight vocabulary and concepts that students need to remember.  And the flashcards provide a means to review.

Test Prep

We didn’t always use a curriculum to prepare for tests.  Sometimes, we just did flat out test prep.  Study.com is the best resource for doing this that I’ve found.

Topics are mapped out to cover exactly what you need to know to pass the tests.  Between videos, readings, quizzes, flashcards, and practice tests…all your bases are covered here.

Sample reading and quiz from World Religions course:

 

 

Click here to try a free trial of Study.com

You can also check out Study.com’s resources specific to CLEP testing or DSST testing, and homeschool resources for grades 3-12 at these links.

 

Can I add something here…earning credit by exam is not exclusive to homeschool families!  Anyone can rack up credits at minimal cost using this method.

Have a light load of classes this semester?  Pick a course and let Study.com map out a plan to prepare for the exam.  Save yourself the time and money of taking the class on campus.

Want to maximize your summer?  Use Study.com to prepare for a test and you’ve just saved yourself thousands of dollars.

Wish you could graduate college sooner?  When you study a subject in high school, add on practice with Study.com and take the exam to earn credit for many of your general education credits before you ever set foot on a college campus.

 

If you want to save money on college, don’t overlook DSST tests!

 

Read more about how we homeschooled high school and saved [a lot of] money on college in the process!

 

Like it? Share it!

You Might Also Like

  • An honest review of Study.com as a resource for CLEP test prep.
    6 reasons to do your CLEP test prep with Study.com
  • Step by step instructions on how to plan a course that will help your teen prepare for CLEP & DSST testing for college credit. Lots of links to resources.
    Homeschooling High School: Planning a Course for Both High School & College Credit
  • Curriculum and supplementary resources we've used for high school courses and to prepare for CLEP & DSST tests. Lots of links and a discount code!
    Homeschooling High School: Curriculum That Works

Filed Under: Homeschool, Homeschooling High School Tagged With: CLEP/DSST, curriculum, homeschool, teens

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

100 Puns to Make You Roll Your Eyes, Groan, and Shake Your Head. There's something for everyone, arranged by category: food, animals, Harry Potter, Star Wars, literature, work-related, visual puns, and more!

Connect with Me:

About me…

Welcome! I'm Susan, and I'm so glad you're here. I am a former teacher turned homeschooler, married to my favorite person, blessed far more than I deserve, and certain that we don't have to do it all alone. Find Out More…

Get The Sparrow’s Home delivered right to your inbox. –Never miss a thing!

Let's be friends! Send me all new posts and updates.

What I’m Reading Now…

Rails & Trails

Internet-safe kids

Recent Posts

  • Oatmeal creme pie sandwich cookies: Tastes like sweet, gooey, nostalgia
  • Magic Chocolate Fudge Cake (No Eggs!)
  • Winnie-the-Pooh Baby Shower That’s Sweet as Hunny
  • The honey bun cake that everyone will ask you the recipe for
  • Board games to check out if you’re looking for two player games

What’s Popular

  • Use these questions to break the ice 'a Skittle': An easy ice breaker for people who hate ice breakers.
    Use these questions to break the ice 'a Skittle': An easy ice breaker for people who hate ice breakers.
  • Freezer Apple Pie Filling
    Freezer Apple Pie Filling
  • One Hour Bread: Fast & Easy Italian Bread Recipe
    One Hour Bread: Fast & Easy Italian Bread Recipe
  • Recipes That Use Up A Lot of Eggs (Bonus Pudding Recipe!)
    Recipes That Use Up A Lot of Eggs (Bonus Pudding Recipe!)
  • M&Ms Ice Breaker and Guided Prayer Activities
    M&Ms Ice Breaker and Guided Prayer Activities
  • 100 Bible verses that say who you are, what defines you, and why you matter
    100 Bible verses that say who you are, what defines you, and why you matter
  • Old-Fashioned Peach Cream Pie: A Fresh and Decadent Bite of Summer
    Old-Fashioned Peach Cream Pie: A Fresh and Decadent Bite of Summer
  • The Lazy Person's Guide to Canning Tomatoes
    The Lazy Person's Guide to Canning Tomatoes
  • Need to make hot dogs for a crowd?  Use the crock pot!
    Need to make hot dogs for a crowd? Use the crock pot!
  • Ground Beef in the Crock Pot
    Ground Beef in the Crock Pot

Follow The Sparrow’s Home:

Contact

Privacy Policy

Disclosure Statement

Amazon Associates Disclosure

Susan is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon. com and affiliated sites.

Copyright © 2023 · Beautiful Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

  • Homeschool
    • Homeschool Curriculum Reviews
    • Homeschooling High School
      • Earning College Credits in High School
    • Elementary, Middle School, & Littles
    • Local Tutoring
  • Recipes
    • Main Dishes
    • Vegetables & Sides
    • Breads
    • Desserts
    • Beverages
    • Freezer Recipes
    • Preserving
  • Faith
    • Resources for Living a Biblical Faith
  • Family
    • Parenting
    • Marriage
    • Everything Disney
    • All the Board Games
    • Themed Entertaining
      • Do you dig a party with a theme?
    • Home & Garden
      • Herbal Remedies
  • Contact
  • Home
    • Web Stories