Earn Up to 45 College Credits with DSST Exams at Eastern Florida State College
If you have been considering attending Eastern Florida State College (EFSC) or are currently enrolled as a student, did you know you can earn up to 45 undergraduate semester units towards your degree with DSST exams?
DSST exams (formerly DANTES [Defense Activity for Nontraditional Education Support] Subject Standardized Test) represent a national standardized testing approach that allows students to demonstrate their comprehension of specific subjects by successfully passing a single comprehensive exam.
Eastern Florida State College recognizes various pathways to learning and encourages students to leverage DSST exams for cost-effective tuition management to expedite their progress toward graduation.
This comprehensive guide will enlighten prospective and existing students on utilizing DSST exams to test out of general education courses and earn college credits.
DSST Exams: A Path to Accelerated Learning
Test Out of Your Courses With One Final Exam
DSST exams provide a credit-by-examination option to assess students' comprehension of college-level subjects acquired through traditional and non-traditional learning.
Instead of committing to a semester-long class, DSST exams empower students to exhibit mastery of a specific subject by passing a final examination.
This flexible approach allows students to demonstrate proficiency in various general education subjects without the constraints of traditional classroom attendance, providing an opportunity to save both time and money.
By utilizing DSST exams, busy students and working professionals can independently prepare and select an exam date when they feel sufficiently ready.
Motivated students can use DSST exams strategically to expedite the completion of up to 15 undergraduate courses (45 units), meet general education requirements, and fast-track their progression to upper-division coursework at Eastern Florida State College.
Eastern Florida State College Tuition Versus DSST Exam Fees
Eastern Florida State College: Saving Money with DSST Exams
Eastern Florida State College recognizes the substantial financial investment of pursuing a college education and embraces DSST exams as a valuable method for students to earn credits and shorten the time required to complete a baccalaureate degree.
The total expenses associated with attending Eastern Florida State College include various factors, including residency, administrative fees, course materials, living expenses, travel, and additional student-related costs.
Tuition Rates 2023-24
Most undergraduate general education classes are structured as three (3) semester-hour units.
Let’s compare the approximate cost of a three-semester-hour course at Eastern Florida State College to that of an equivalent three-semester-hour unit DSST exam.
3 Semester-Hour Units
Scroll through the table below.
Description | Unit Type | Cost per Unit | Number of Units | Total Cost | Total Savings |
Eastern Florida State College Tuition: | |||||
Undergraduate general elective class | Semester-hour | $128.51 (1 unit)* | 3 | $385.53 | |
DSST Exam Fees: | |||||
DSST Exam | Semester-hour | $100.00 (3 units) | 3 | $100.00 | |
Total Savings with DSST Exams | $285.53 |
*Non-Florida resident tuition is $508.92 per credit hour. The fee schedule is subject to change within the guidelines approved by the Florida Legislature.
One Resident General Elective Class at Eastern Florida State College:
$128.51 (semester-hour) x 3 semester-hour units = $385.53
One Non-resident General Elective Class at Eastern Florida State College:
$508.92 (semester-hour) x 3 semester-hour units = $1,526.76
Passing one DSST exam awards credit for three (3) semester-hour units.
Regardless of residency status, a non-refundable $100.00 test fee is required to take the exam.
Resident students at Eastern Florida State College will save $285.53 in tuition costs for one 3-semester-hour unit course by testing out with DSST exams.
Non-resident students could save $1,426.76 per 3-semester hours.
15 Semester-Hour Units
Scroll through the table below.
Institution | Semester-Units | Cost Per Unit | Number of Classes | Tuition | DSST Exam Fees | Total Cost | Total Savings |
Eastern Florida State College | 15 | $128.51 | 5 | $1,927.65 | -- | $1,927.65 | |
DSST Exams | 15 | $100.00 | 5 | - | $500.00 | $500.00 | |
Total Savings with DSST Exams | $1,427.65 |
A full-time course load schedule for undergraduate students comprises 15 units (5 classes) per semester, and students can save over $1,427.65 in tuition costs at Eastern Florida State College.
Non-resident students could save $7,133.80.
45 Semester-Hour Units
Scroll through the table below.
Institution | Semester - Units | Cost Per Unit | Number of Classes | Tuition | DSST Exam Fees | Total Cost | Total Savings |
Eastern Florida State College | 45 | $128.51 | 15 | $5,782.95 | - | $5,782.95 | |
DSST Exams | 45 | $100.00 | 15 | - | $1,500.00 | $1,500.00 | |
Total Savings with DSST Exams | $4,282.95 |
By passing 15 DSST exams (45 units), resident students could save over $4,282.95 in tuition costs.
Non-resident students could save $21,401.40.
Which Classes Can I Test Out of?
Students can earn college credits by completing an equivalent DSST exam, as outlined in the table below.
Eastern Florida State College (EFSC) DSST Exam Equivalencies
DSST Course Exam | EFSC Course Equivalent | DSST Course Credit |
AMH X059
| 3 units | |
ARH 2000 | 3 units | |
AST 1002 | 3 units | |
GEB X441 | 3 units | |
Business Mathematics | QMB X001 | 3 units |
CGS 1000 | 3 units | |
CCJ X000 or CCJ 1020 | 3 units | |
EVR 1001 | 3 units | |
PHI X630 | 3 units | |
EDF X002 | 3 units | |
Fundamentals of College Algebra | MAT 1033 or MAC 1105 | 3 units |
PCO X202 | 3 units | |
CETC 2890 | 3 units | |
ANT X000 | 3 units | |
HSC 1100 | 3 units | |
EUH X066 | 3 units |
MNA 2300 | 3 units | |
GEB 1011 | 3 units | |
GEO 2000 | 3 units | |
GLY 1000 | 3 units | |
CCJ 1100 | 3 units | |
REL 2300 | 3 units | |
DEP 2004 | 3 units | |
ISM X000 or ISM X004 | 3 units | |
Math for Liberal Arts | MGF 1106 | 3 units |
BAN X501 | 3 units | |
INP X002 | 3 units | |
FIN 1100 | 3 units | |
ENC 1101 | 3 units | |
FIN 2000 | 3 units | |
SPC 2608 | 3 units | |
Principles of Statistics | STA 2023 | 3 units |
MAN 2125 | 3 units | |
HSC X140 or HSC X150 | 3 units | |
ENC 2210 | 3 units | |
AMH X056 | 3 |
Pro Tip: College credits earned by passing DSST exams at EFSC cannot exceed 45 units (15 courses) for a baccalaureate degree.
Academic Advising
Consulting With Your Academic Advisor
Before taking any DSST exams, contacting your academic advisor to confirm and verify that specific DSST course credits apply to your degree program at Eastern Florida State College is crucial.
Consulting with your academic advisor is essential to avoid duplicating coursework and to clarify the alignment of DSST exams with your degree requirements.
Once you obtain approval, explore our diverse selection of online DSST examination preparation courses to initiate your studies and consider taking a complimentary practice test to acquaint yourself with the testing format.
Maintain Your Grade Point Average (GPA)
DSST Exams Don't Affect Your GPA
Eastern Florida State College grants college credit for DSST exams with passing scores of 400 points or higher.
The credit awarded for these exams is denoted as a "P" (Pass) grade, and unsuccessful attempts do not impact your GPA.
If you fail your initial attempt to pass, you can retest every 30 days until you achieve a passing score.
DSST exams evaluate proficiency in college-level subject matter acquired through self-study or practical experience outside traditional classroom settings.
DSST exams consist of 100 multiple-choice questions with four answer choices, and the scoring range is 200 to 500 points.
To achieve a passing score of 400 points or higher, test-takers must accurately answer approximately 58% to 62% of the exam questions.
DSST exams offer a low-risk, high-reward opportunity and don't affect your GPA.
Where Can I Take My DSST Exam?
Three Testing Options
You have three choices for where to take your DSST exam:
At EFSC's test center.
At a Prometric test center.
Remotely online with Prometric.
Let's discuss all three testing options and learn how EFSC will receive your DSST exam results.
Taking Your Exam at EFSC
Eastern Florida State College: DSST Test Registration Process
Eastern Florida State College offers on-campus proctored DSST credit by exam testing at the Melbourne Campus Assessment Center (MCAC) Monday through Thursday at 11:30 AM, 1:30 PM, or 2:30 PM by appointment only.
DSST Credit By Examination Registration and Fees
Source: Eastern Florida State College Registerblast On-Campus Testing Appointment Scheduling Process
Melbourne Campus Test Center
The total cost of DSST exams is $133.50, divided into a non-refundable and non-transferrable $33.50 testing fee payable to Eastern Florida State College and a $100 exam fee (debit or credit card only) payable to Prometric on exam day.
If you wish to take your DSST exam at Eastern Florida State College, you must first preregister and pay the $33.50 test administration fee to schedule your DSST exam date.
Melbourne Campus Testing and Assessment Center
Building 10, Room 218
865 North Wickham Rd
Melbourne, FL 32935
Testing Hours: By Appointment Only
Monday - Thursday| 11:30 AM, 1:30 PM, or 2:30 PM
Tel: 321-433-5879
How Will EFSC Receive My DSST Exam Results?
Source: Prometric Test Registration
Test Day Registration
On the day of your exam, you must register for your DSST exam at the test center and enter EFSC's 4-digit Institutional Score Recipient Code.
Entering the correct Institutional Score Report Code will ensure that a complimentary transcript of your exam score is sent to Florida International University.
EFSC's Institutional Score Report Recipient Code
Score Report Code
Failure to enter the correct Institutional Score Report Code for your school will delay the transmittal of your exam results and may result in an additional cost for a transcript.
Pro Tip:
The Institutional Score Report Recipient Code for Eastern Florida State College is 8816.
You must enter the correct Institutional Score Report Code to ensure your official score report is sent directly to Florida Atlantic University.
In the case of a retake, there is a mandatory waiting period of 30 calendar days, starting from the day after the initial test date.
On the day of your exam, you must register at the test center and enter EFSC's 4-digit Institutional Score Recipient Code (8816), which ensures that EFSC receives your exam results.
Prometric Test Centers: Registration Process
Prometric DSST Test Centers
As mentioned earlier, you can take your DSST exam at EFSC or at a Prometric test center.
When enrolling for a DSST exam, you can choose between two options:
1. Attend the exam at a physical Prometric brick-and-mortar test center.
2. Opt for a remote exam through Prometric.
Each option has its own advantages, and you can easily schedule your exam online for added convenience.
Prometric test centers are conveniently located across the United States, offering flexibility in scheduling and taking your DSST exam.
Pro Tip:
If you take your exam at a Prometric test center (or online remotely), you'll only pay the $100.00 DSST exam fee.
Most Prometric test centers don't charge an additional registration fee.
Prometric Test Centers: Take Your DSST Exam in Person
In-Person Assistance
To schedule and register for your DSST exam in person, you must first locate a nearby testing center and reserve your appointment online.
Arrive Early
On the day of your exam, to ensure a smooth check-in process, it is highly recommended that you arrive at the testing center 30 minutes early with proper forms of required identification.
For a list of Prometric test centers, click here.
Prometric Remote Proctoring: Take Your DSST Exam Online
Take Your Exam Online
Experience the convenience of taking your DSST exam remotely from your personal computer.
A live proctor will monitor you throughout your exam, ensuring a secure testing environment.
Schedule your reservation, sign up for your DSST exam from the comfort of your home, and pick the subject you'd like to test in.
You can choose a suitable test date and pay the exam fee online. This straightforward process puts you in control of your testing experience.
Refer to our post below for detailed instructions on scheduling and taking your exam remotely.
Prometric Test Centers: How Will EFSC Receive My DSST Exam Results?
You Must Follow Up with Prometric
Whether you opt for an online or in-person DSST exam, knowing your college or university's 4-digit school code and representing the Institutional Score Recipient Code is essential.
As discussed earlier, EFSC will receive a complimentary copy of your exam scores from Prometric using their designated institution's 4-digit score recipient code.
Prometric will send your score report directly to EFSC for free.
The processing time for EFSC to receive the score report ranges from 3 to 6 weeks.
Once EFSC receives your score report, they will apply your units toward your degree program.
Remember, the 4-digit Institutional Score Report Recipient Code for EFSC is 8816.
Contact Prometric
Currently, Prometric doesn't allow you to input your Institutional Score Recipient Code during registration.
Until this feature is available, you must contact them directly for assistance.
Be sure to contact Prometric within two days after taking your exam and provide them with your four-digit institutional score recipient code.
Contact Prometric at:
Toll Free: 1-877-471-9860
Pro Tip: To expedite the processing of your college credits, contact Prometric two days after your exam, providing them with EFSC's Institutional Score Recipient Code (8816).
Each time you take a DSST exam, ensure to provide your 4-digit code to Prometric if you wish for your institution to receive your exam results.
How Do I Get Started with DSST Exams?
Getting Started with DSST Exams
Consult your Eastern Florida State College academic advisor to confirm which DSST exams are eligible for your degree requirements.
Study for your DSST exam.
Schedule your final exam with Prometric.
Successfully pass your DSST exam, save money on tuition, and graduate sooner.
Conclusion
Embrace the Accelerated Path at Eastern Florida State College
Eastern Florida State College understands the importance of providing students with innovative and forward-thinking options to achieve their academic goals efficiently.
That's why they proudly offer DSST exams, a progressive solution that empowers you to shorten the time required to complete your baccalaureate degree.
DSST exams are designed to be a cost-effective and flexible alternative for students seeking to expedite their degree requirements while minimizing tuition expenses and maintaining a high GPA.
These exams streamline your academic journey by allowing you to navigate general education courses without attending semester-long classes.
This enables you to focus on your core coursework and pursue additional opportunities.
The self-paced nature of DSST exam preparation and testing offers unparalleled convenience, making them an enticing choice for students seeking a strategically effective and economically affordable pathway to graduation.
With the potential for substantial cost savings and an accelerated timeline, DSST exams provide a unique opportunity to enhance your collegiate experience.
Eastern Florida State College fully embraces the credit-earning opportunities presented by DSST exams.
We encourage our students to confidently leverage these exams to unlock an accelerated and enriched academic journey.
Embrace the power of DSST exams and take the first step towards achieving your educational goals efficiently and excellently.
If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact us at support@dssttestprep.com.
We're here to help.
Good luck with your testing!
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