Prometric and DSST testing centers? Help requested.

[wanderer168]

Hi all - I'm just starting out on my attempt to conquer a Bachelor degree via DSST and CLEP exams.

I was able to find a couple locations that administers all the CLEP exams, but I'm having a terrible time finding a location that administers all the DSST exams I need.

I thought that Prometric's various testing centers would administer DSST exams, but I can't seem to find it listed on their website.

Does anyone happen to know what the exam is listed under on Prometric's site? (http://www.prometric.com).

Or, does anyone know of a testing center that offers DSST exams in or around the Los Angeles, California area?

Thanks much for the assistance.

[Chebasaz]

Here you go:

DSST - GetCollegeCredit.com

Just a quick scan turned up the following schools in LA:

8704
ANTIOCH UNIVERSITY - LOS ANGELES
400 CORPORATE POINTE
CULVER CITY, CA 90230-7615
310-578-1080, X206
Antioch University Los Angeles


9239
MAALOT LOS ANGELES
5822 WEST THIRD STREET
LOS ANGELES, CA 90036
323-938-5196

8193
THE UNION INSTITUTE & UNIVERSITY
6310 SAN VINCENTE BOULEVARD, SUITE 107
LOS ANGELES, CA 90048-5426
213-936-8323
Union Institute & University - Adult Online Degree - Adult Distance Learning - Low Residency Degree


Hope that helps, and good luck!

[marianne202]

When I asked Prometric why they don't offer the exams at their test centers they told me their equipment and the military DSST testing software are not compatible, so they have to contract with other test centers. I thought that the DSST contract would be a large enough contract to warrant making their systems compatible, but I guess not! Seems silly to me, but that is what the Prometric customer service told me.

[Chebasaz]

Pearson Vue has a similar issue. Though they may all be "Pearson Vue" testing centers, there's actually different levels. Certain tests are only given at certain levels of testing centers. Vue has it broken down into "Regional, Local, etc" though you'll never read anything about the segregation. I've spent four years arguing with Vue that the local Vue testing center (which I helped create) should give ECE's. Unfortunately, they classify this place as a Local testing center, and they only give ECE's at the Regional level. They won't tell me what makes a place "Regional" or the qualifications needed. The military folks are forced to take ECE's with paper/pencil 30 feet from a room full of testing computers. banghead

Same goes with the PMP certification. I ended up flying back to the states to take it because our testing center hadn't been authorized that particular exam. Fun stuff.

[dharmachic]

I have taken all my DSST exams at Antioch University in Culver City and highly recommend it. There is no proctor fee and they validate parking once you explain you are there for DSST testing. Andrea Richards is the contact person and she is very down to earth and friendly, she handles the whole deal; it's pretty unstructured and informal (which is not to say that proper exam environment is not monitored and maintained - she does a great job, and she makes you feel comfortable).

They only offer one exam date every quarter starting at 9 a.m., usually a Friday, and allow you to take up to 2 exams per date. Just call her at the number listed below to find out exam dates and to reserve a computer. The last exam date was this month, so I would expect she will schedule another date in 3 months or so, so call her to check.

8704
ANTIOCH UNIVERSITY - LOS ANGELES
400 CORPORATE POINTE
CULVER CITY, CA 90230-7615
310-578-1080, X206
Antioch University Los Angeles

Incidentally, I know you said you found several CLEP locations, but just FYI if you want to save on proctor fees (as a certified bargain hunter, I comparison shop everything), the test center at DeVry University in Sherman Oaks (inside the Sherman Oaks Galleria) does not charge proctor fees either, and I have found the test experience very satisfactory. You do have to listen to a quick 5 minute spiel from a DeVry rep about their school, but once I explained I was already enrolled at Excelsior, we ended up having a nice chat about distance learning in general.

3412
DeVry University - Sherman Oaks
15301 Ventura Boulevard, D100
Sherman Oaks, CA 91403
818-932-3102

[cde]

I had this exact same problem last year trying to figure out a good place to test in LA. I work full time so Antioch and Devry were impractical for me. It was a pity Antioch is only about 15 minutes away.

I used Maalot once. They were nice and I think you can test any time during the M-F week except Friday afternoon. They were pretty flexible but it was still a problem with my job. I was the only one testing the day I was there. I think the proctor fee was high but I am not positive about that.

I used Fullerton college for most of my testing when I found out they also test on Saturday. It was the closest one I could find. (321 Chapman Avenue, Fullerton 714-732-5533) they test at 9 am every Saturday. I live in West LA and I happily drove down there. The guy who runs it is nice although he seemed surprised if you passed and did well on the DSST's! I suspect not that many of the Instant Cert crowd go to this one although it is busy. Every time I tested at least 20 people or more would also be on the computers. He charged $20 for the proctor fee.

[wanderer168]

Thanks everybody for the great responses. It just boggled my mind that Prometric doesn't host the DSST tests, since they pretty much own them. (And Marianne, I'm with you - I don't buy Prometric's flimsy explanation)

I think cde's recommendation of Fullerton sounds like the best bet for me. Antioch would require too long of a wait (I want to be able to take a couple tests every week if possible). Between Fullerton and the suggested Maalot contacts, I should be covered.

Thanks again all - very helpful and very much appreciated!

(PS - dharmachic, thanks for the tip on Devry. I've been paying $20 at a place called Azusa Pacific University, and it's quite a drive. I think I'll give Devry a call)