Military College Credit: DSST/DANTES

Committed to helping servicemembers and veterans pursue their degrees, during or after service, the Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES) is a Department of Defense agency that provides leadership and support through partnerships across the education community.

Thousands of colleges and universities—including AIU—recognize and recommend DSST exams for qualifying military personnel and award them credit for earning passing scores according to American Council Education (ACE) recommendations for the respective course requirements.

DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (DSST) provide another option for students to demonstrate competencies for learning in non-traditional ways. Students who have previously taken a DSST exam and would like to have it considered for a proficiency credit award (designated by a grade “PR”) should contact the Prior Learning Assessment Department at PriorLearningAssessment@aiuniv.edu. Official Military transcripts (JST) typically include DSST scores; otherwise, official DSST score sheets should be sent directly to the Registrar. Students interested in pursuing DSST exams should work with a Prior Learning Assessment to determine which exam(s) may be in their best interest to pursue.

What are DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (DSST)?

Recommended for credit by the American Council on Education (ACE), these tests cover upper and lower-level baccalaureate credit courses which may allow students to earn proficiency credit reducing the amount of time and money required to complete their degree program. Proficiency credit is awarded at AIU for passing scores according to American Council Education (ACE) recommendations for the respective course requirements.

What role does DANTES play?

As an active duty, guard or reserve military member, your first attempt on any DSST exam is funded by DANTES. You can take any exam at an on-base or on-campus facility. There are more than 500 military installations that deliver Internet-based DSST exams across the globe¹.

What makes DSSTs so valuable?

In addition to the first exam attempt being fully funded for military active duty and spouses and being affordable—as low as $85 per exam for others-DSSTs are exams approved for college credit. There are over 30 exams to choose from in upper and lower level credits and over 1900 institutions grant credits for DSST exams².

DSST is an approved VA National Testing Program. Veterans eligible for the GI Bill^® can be reimbursed for DSST exams.

How can you prepare to take your DSSTs?

You can take practice exams for 21 DSST exam titles offered by Peterson’s. Each one features three full-length (100 question) practice tests and one printable practice test.

More information on study guides and examination options is available at http://www.getcollegecredit.com.

1. Source: https://www.military.com/education/timesaving-programs/dantes-dsst-exam-list.html

2. Source: http://getcollegecredit.com/test_takers