CLEP vs DSST

[masswhole09]

Someone please inform me of the differences between the two? Just like about 99% of the people here I am trying to get my degree cheaper and faster. Also, how long should I study an IC study guide before testing?

PS:
I am new to this.

[slefoll7]

DSST tests are like CLEP but there is more variety. If I wanted a degree in biology, I could take the biology CLEP and the genetics, microbiology, biochemistry, ect. DSSTs. Clep has several subjects, but DSST has all of the subtopics of the clep subjects.

[Lindagerr]

CLEP and DSST are the same in many ways. Take a test get college credit, mostly multiple choice questions, mostly LL credit. CLEP is College Level Equivaleny Program(or something like that) they are run by College Board the same company they runs SAT and AP exams info here .https://clep.collegeboard.org/ DSST is Defense Something Something Test also sometimes called DANTES These were originally administered by the military for only military personel, they are now available to all, they are run by Prometrics get info here DSST | Get College Credit Some colleges give upper level credit for some of these.

You will also see talk of TECEP which are TESC equivalency exams that are also accepted by many colleges and Uexcell formerly ECE exams from Excelsior college also accepted at many other colleges.

You can get lots of info on this forum we all try to help the newbies, but don't forget to check out Degree Forum Wiki and do searches on the forum.

How long you study for an exam depends on you, what your former knowledge of the subject was, how quickly you learn and how you study. One of the best indicators of your readiness is to take a practice exam. Most here would also tell you that just using IC is not enough, really just using one source of any kind is not enough. check out Free Clep Prep.com for study and practice test. If you have joined IC don't forget to check out the Specific exam feedback section of the forum it is a gold mine of info from past test takers.

[sanantone]

DSST tests are like CLEP but there is more variety. If I wanted a degree in biology, I could take the biology CLEP and the genetics, microbiology, biochemistry, ect. DSSTs. Clep has several subjects, but DSST has all of the subtopics of the clep subjects.

These DSSTs don't exist.

[hightecrebel]

DSST tests are like CLEP but there is more variety. If I wanted a degree in biology, I could take the biology CLEP and the genetics, microbiology, biochemistry, ect. DSSTs. Clep has several subjects, but DSST has all of the subtopics of the clep subjects.

Um...no. Think of it like this: CLEP is your broad 100/200 level courses, DSST is moreyour 100/200 specific subject courses, with a FEW 300/400 level courses thrown in. They're not the subtopics, they're just a different groups perspective on college equivalency tests. They even have some overlap (Algebra, for instance).

[swalke321]

CLEP and DSST both require test centers. It depends on what is available near you. For me, my test center offers both DSST and CLEP but CLEP is more popular since the local CC accepts mostly CLEP. Some test centers charge a fee. I think more colleges accept CLEP then DSST. Some CLEP exams are worth more than 3 credits. I think most DSST are worth 3 credits. It's mostly a matter of figuring out what the requirements are, what tests are available and which is cheapest or easiest. When looking at exams look for a topic you are familiar with or have interest in, it all depends on how flexible the college is in their requirements. Some colleges may have specific requirements while others may give you a list of courses to choose from.

[cookderosa]

There are some differences, not huge differences, but there are some.

CLEP is accepted at about 2900 colleges, while DSST is accepted at about 1400. All of the big 3 accept both.

CLEP has been around longer, so it's a little better known than DSST.

You may have a testing center that offers either brand, or just one brand- some people don't have access to both brands, you'll have to check your area.

Both are multiple choice. CLEP has 5 answers, DSST has 4 answers.

Both are timed.

Both are on computer.

Both keep score reports for 20 years.

Both issue an official transcript.

All CLEP exams are either 100/200.

DSST exams include 100/200 but a few exams in a few schools are worth upper level credit.

DSST exams are being refreshed at a much faster rate than CLEP.

Refreshed DSST exams are not posting very high pass results based on this forum's experience in Specific Exam Feedback.

The only 2 CLEP exams that have been refreshed since about 2008 (I'd have to look that date up) are accounting and English comp.

Both are scaled scores.

CLEP exams are generally worth 3 credits, however there are several exams worth 6, and all three foreign language exams have the potential for 12 credits. All DSST exams are 3.

EDIT: I wanted to add that you can't take the same exam using 2 different brands and you can't duplicate credit (CLEP, DSST, TECEP, UeXCEL, etc.) For instance, College Algebra only counts once whether or not you use a new brand, test, class, ALEKS, etc.

[BGSU_Alum_86]

I want to add to Jennifer's great reply. One benefit about the different "brands" (as she called them) when they offer the same exam subject is that you do have other options is you do not pass the first one. There isn't a whole lot of overlap between CLEP and DSST exams (I believe that was planned intentionally).

There is also a difference in the exam time between the two with CLEP allowing 90 minutes (except for College Composition) and DSST allowing 120 minutes.

By the way, DSST exams have been around for a long time, but were initially for the military only (hence the name DANTES Subject Standardized Tests). There are quite a number of colleges/universities that still believe military members are the only ones who can take these exams.

[cookderosa]

I want to add to Jennifer's great reply. One benefit about the different "brands" (as she called them) when they offer the same exam subject is that you do have other options is you do not pass the first one. There isn't a whole lot of overlap between CLEP and DSST exams (I believe that was planned intentionally).

There is also a difference in the exam time between the two with CLEP allowing 90 minutes (except for College Composition) and DSST allowing 120 minutes.

By the way, DSST exams have been around for a long time, but were initially for the military only (hence the name DANTES Subject Standardized Tests). There are quite a number of colleges/universities that still believe military members are the only ones who can take these exams.

Excellent point- I come across that every once in a while too! You'll sometime hear people call DSST "DANTES" which means the same thing.