Both the CLEP and the DSST consist mostly of multiple-choice questions.
Both the DANTES Subject Standardized Tests and College Level Examination Programs exams were originally created to help military personnel or others with unusual schedules or life paths to earn college degrees, by providing a way for them to earn college credit quickly. Today, you do not have to be affiliated with the military to take either type of exam, and many college applicants and current students use one or both of these test systems to earn a semester or a year's worth of college credit. As of the time of publication, the exams have similar registration fees and include some of the same disciplines. They also both take between 90 and 120 minutes. However, they offer exams in different subject areas.
Credit Recognition
Confirm your university grants credit for CLEP or DSST before you register.
Since the goal of the DSST and CLEP exams is to earn college credit, before you take either test check with your college or university to confirm it will accept the exam in lieu of coursework. CLEP is by far more recognized than DSST. CLEP is recognized at almost 3,000 campuses, whereas the DSST is recognized at under 1100. However, some colleges recognize DSST and not CLEP. For example, in Boston, as of time of publication, Laboure Junior College grants credit only for the DSST, while Simmons College grants credit only for the CLEP. Emmanuel College recognizes both.
Also, a university that is listed as "recognizing" CLEP or DSST may not recognize that exam in all subject areas, so check with your admissions office or academic department for its policies regarding individual tests.
Humanities and Language Examinations
You can use CLEP exams to place out of language courses.
DSST offers exams in four humanities fields, but they are different from ones offered by CLEP. The DSST humanities exams are Ethics in America, Introduction to World Religions, Art of the Western World and Principles of Public Speaking. The public speaking exam includes a portion in which you are given a topic and must record an impromptu speech.
The CLEP program focuses more on literature and writing, offering tests on American literature, British literature, literary analysis and composition. There is also a general humanities exam that covers names, dates and concepts in literature, philosophy, art, music and architecture.
If you want to earn college credit for your knowledge of French, German or Spanish, you will take a CLEP rather than a DSST test, since DSST does not offer exams for foreign languages.
Math and Business Examinations
DSST or CLEP exams might place you out of college math requirements.
Both DSST and CLEP offer exams in College Algebra. DSST additionally offers Statistics, while CLEP offers Calculus and Precalculus.
The DSST business offerings are more extensive than those by CLEP. Both programs offer exams in accounting, management and business law. Additional DSST exams include Personal Finance, Principles of Finance, Information Systems, Organizational Behavior, Human Resource Management, Money and Banking and Business Mathematics. CLEP, however, offers an exam in introductory marketing.
Science and Technology Examinations
You can use CLEP or DSST science exams to place out of introductory college courses and go straight into advanced classes, or to fulfill general requirements in science, depending on your college's policies. Only CLEP has exams in the traditional high school subjects of biology and chemistry (though the exams cover college-level material); it also offers a test in Natural Sciences, which covers introductory material in biology, chemistry, earth sciences and astronomy.
If you have specialized knowledge in earth sciences, take a DSST Principles of Physical Science, Physical Geology, Environment and Humanity or Astronomy exam. DSST also has a health exam that covers fitness, nutrition, relationships, disease prevention, psychological disorders, addictions and violence.
If you are interested in computers, look into the CLEP Information Systems and Computer Applications exam or the DSST Introduction to Computing test. DSST also has a Technical Writing exam, with an optional writing component; if you choose to do the written section, it will be sent to your college's technical writing faculty for them to evaluate themselves.
History and Social Sciences Examinations
DSST offers an exam in General Anthropology, but CLEP offers Introduction to Sociology.
Before taking a history or government exam, consider the focus of your knowledge, as CLEP typically seek breadth while DSST tests look for depth. For example, CLEP has American History and American Governmen exams, while DSST offers The Civil War and Reconstruction and The History of the Vietnam War tests. CLEP has two exams on Western Civilization while DSST has an exam specifically on Western Europe since 1945; it also offers tests on the Rise and Fall of the Soviet Union and Introduction to the Modern Middle East. CLEP, though, has a general exam on social sciences and history, which tests basic knowledge of United States and world history, Western civilization, political science, geography, sociology, economics, psychology and anthropology.
CLEP additionally offers exams in economics and sociology. DSST offers exams in anthropology and human geography.
Psychology, Education and Criminology Examinations
Either program, or a combination of both, can speed your studies in psychology.
When it comes to psychology, CLEP offers exams in introductory subjects like psychology, educational psychology and developmental psychology, while the DSST program is more suitable for those with deep knowledge in a particular field; DSST exams include Fundamentals of Counseling, Substance Abuse, Criminal Justice and Introduction to Law Enforcement.
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