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DTP Success Team

How to Schedule Your DSST Exam at a Local Test Center

Updated: Nov 28



Discover the Benefits of DSST Test Centers Near You!

Do you prefer the in-person experience of taking your DSST exam at a local test center, complete with a proctor?


If so, you're in the right place.


While remote exams from home have advantages, some individuals value the benefits of human interaction and the structured environment of a physical testing location.


  • Benefit 1: Across the United States, DSST test centers are strategically positioned to provide accessibility to various individuals. In this guide, we'll take you through the steps to locate these conveniently situated Prometric DSST test centers, ensuring you can find one near you, no matter where you're in the country. Using Prometric's Pro Scheduler, you can quickly discover a DSST test center that perfectly matches your preferences and location.


  • Benefit 2: With Prometric's Pro Scheduler, you can search for a nearby test center, schedule your final exam, and pay online, all in one go. Select a date and time that aligns with your schedule, ensuring maximum convenience. You can secure the best available options by scheduling your exam in advance. On the day of your exam, arrive at your chosen test center with your emailed confirmation number, mentally prepared to excel in your final DSST exam.


In the following sections, we'll provide comprehensive guidance on how to find a nearby test center, schedule your exam, and ensure a smooth and successful testing experience.



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Table of Contents




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Find a Local DSST Site and Reserve Your Appointment Online.


How to Locate a Physical DSST Test Center and Reserve Your Appointment Online

Navigating DSST Exam Scheduling


When scheduling DSST exams, it's essential to understand that there are two distinct processesā€”one for civilian and self-funded military members and another for eligible military members.


The beauty of these processes is that they are designed to be accessible and convenient, regardless of your technical background.


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Two Separate Pathways for Scheduling


For the ease of navigation, there are two unique website links for scheduling your DSST exams:


  1. Civilians and Self-Funded Military Members: This category encompasses individuals not eligible for free exams.

  2. Eligible Active-Duty Military Members: You might be wondering who qualifies as an eligible military member. This category includes any active-duty member attempting a DSST subject for the first time. Your first exam is entirely free of charge, and you can take all 36 DSST exams without any cost on your initial attempt.


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Military Students: Transition to Self-Funded Status


If, on your first attempt for a particular exam, you don't succeed, you'll transition into the category of a non-eligible or self-funded military test-taker.


This transition implies that there will be an associated fee for any additional attempts for that specific exam.


Military Student Example:


Let's illustrate this with an example. Your first attempt at "Introduction to Business" is free of charge.


However, if you don't pass, you'll need to wait for 30 days and then re-register as a "self-funded" military test-taker for your second attempt.


This time, you'll be required to pay the exam fee.


It's important to note that you can still take any of the other 35 DSST exams for free, but this applies only to your first try.


To maximize your chances of success, we encourage you to study diligently and increase the odds of passing on your initial attempt.


With these insights, you can navigate the DSST exam scheduling process confidently and make informed decisions about your exam strategy.


As we proceed, we encourage you to carefully review this article since we will outline every step for civilians and eligible military members.



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Civilian and Self-Funded Military Test Takers: Follow Steps One Through Twelve


Let's begin by visiting Prometricā€™s website to initiate the scheduling process.


Pro Tip:


You'll receive a unique confirmation number after successfully scheduling your final DSST exam with Prometric.


Remember, if you ever need to reschedule, cancel, or verify your appointment, you can do so through Prometric's website.


Make sure you have your confirmation number readily available to complete these processes.



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Step One: Visit Prometricā€™s Website and click "Schedule."


Step One: Visit Prometricā€™s Website for College and Self-Funded Military Members


Initiating the Scheduling Process


A. Verify Exam Type: Ensure that you schedule under "TEST CENTER EXAM."


B. Start Scheduling: Click the "Schedule" button to proceed.



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Step Two: Preparing for a Test Center Appointment


Step Two: Preparing for a Test Center Appointment

Initial Verification


A. Verify Test Sponsor: Confirm that your Test Sponsor is "DSST."


B. Verify Program Name: Ensure your Program Name is "College Student."


C. Review Preparation Information: Take a moment to review the section titled "Preparing for a Test Center Appointment."


D. Proceed: After verifying and reviewing the information, click the right arrow.



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Step Three: Terms and Conditions


Step Three: Terms and Conditions

Consent and Continue


A. Consent to Terms: Carefully read and consent to the terms and conditions as required.


B. Proceed: After consenting, click the right arrow to move forward.



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Step Four: Pre-approved Testing Accommodations


Step Four: Pre-approved Testing Accommodations

Select Accommodations


A. Make Your Selection: Choose "Yes" if you have prearranged special accommodations or "No" if you haven't.


Proceed: After selecting, you will be prompted to the next section.



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Step Five: Select Your DSST Exam


Step Five: Select Your DSST Exam

Choose Your DSST Exam


A. Select Your Exam: Select your desired DSST exam from the list and proceed to the next section.


B. Proceed: Please click the right arrow and continue.



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Step Six: Find Your Test Center


Step Six: Find Your Test Center

Choose Exam Location and Date


A. Enter Exam Location: Enter your address or the area where you want to take your DSST exam. The system will display all the Prometric test centers in that location.


B. Start Date: Specify the date you'd like to take your exam. The system will check for local test center availability on that day. If not available, it will display the following available dates and times.


C. End Date: Indicate the last day you are willing to schedule your exam.


D. Two Weeks Availability: The system will show two weeks' availability. You can schedule your final exam within any two weeks.


E. Proceed: Please click the right arrow and continue.


Pro Tip: To secure your preferred appointment, it's advisable to reserve your test date ahead of time.



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Step Seven: Sort by "Closest Test Center" or by "First Appointment Available"


Step Seven: Sort by ā€œClosest Test Centerā€ or by ā€œFirst Appointment Availableā€


Choose Your Test Center and Date


A. Sort Options: You can choose to sort by "Closest Test Center" or "First Appointment Available" based on your preference.


B. Select Date: Review the testing dates; once you've chosen a date, available times will be displayed.


C. Aerial View: View the aerial map for further location details.



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Step Eight: View More Sites


Step Eight: View More Sites

Explore More Test Sites


A. Expand Options: Scroll down and click "More Sites." This action will reveal additional test sites.


B. Map View: You can also explore additional test sites on the map for your convenience.



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Step Nine: Reserve your Preferred Date and Time


Step Nine: Reserve your Preferred Date and Time

Choose Date and Time


A. Select Preferred Date and Time: Choose your preferred date and time from the available options.


B. Proceed: Please click the right arrow and continue.



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Step Ten: Profile


 Step Ten: Profile

Provide Profile Information


A. Enter Profile Information: Complete the required fields with your profile information.



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Step Eleven: Appointment Verification


Step Eleven: Appointment Verification

Verify Information


A. Confirm Personal Details: Verify your personal information.


B. Confirm Exam Details: Check and confirm your test location, time, and DSST exam title.


C. Review Exam Title and Fee: Ensure your exam title and fee are accurate.


D. Proceed: Once verified, continue to the next section.



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Step Twelve: Confirm Appointment Details


Step Twelve:  Confirm Appointment Details

Final Confirmation and Payment


A. Confirm Test Center Details: Double-check and confirm your test center location, time, and exam title.


B. Payment Information: Enter your payment details.


C. Complete Appointment: Finalize your appointment by following the prompts.



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Step Thirteen: Follow-Up with Prometric


Step Thirteen:  Follow-Up with Prometric


Follow-Up with Prometric


Currently, Prometric does not have the option to input your school code at the time of registration.


Be sure to contact Prometric within two days after taking your exam and provide them with your four-digit institutional score recipient code.


Otherwise, they might charge you a $30 transcript fee to send your results to your institution.


You can contact Prometric at:

Toll Free: 1-877-471-9860


For more details, view our blog:


If you need assistance with your institutional score recipient code, please get in touch with us, and weā€™ll do our best to assist you.



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Civilian and Self-Funded Military Test Takers:

Rescheduling Your Exam


If you need to reschedule or cancel your exam, click here and follow the provided instructions.


Remember to keep your exam confirmation number in a safe place, as you'll need it to complete the process.



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Step One: Visit Prometric's Website


Step One: Visit Prometric's Website


Initiating the Rescheduling Process


A. Verify Exam Type: Ensure you are scheduling under "TEST CENTER EXAM."


B. Start Rescheduling: Click the "Reschedule" button to proceed.



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Step Two: Reschedule Your DSST Exam


Step Two: Reschedule Your DSST Exam

Reschedule Your DSST Exam


A. Enter Confirmation Number: Input your confirmation number, which can be found in your registration email confirmation.


B. Provide Last Name: Enter the first four characters of your last name.


C. Proceed: Please click "Submit" and continue to follow the prompts to complete the rescheduling of your DSST exam.



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Civilians Test Takers: Reporting Your DSST Exam Scores


 Civilians Test Takers: Reporting Your DSST Exam Scores


Civilians: Reporting Your DSST Test Scores


For civilians taking DSST exams, it's crucial to understand how to report your test scores to your college or university.


This code is essential for the accurate and timely reporting of your DSST test scores to your college or university.


Here are the key steps to keep in mind:


  • Academic Counselor:Ā Consult your counselor for your Institutional Score Report Recipient Code.



Pro Tip:


Read our blog:



If you need assistance with yourĀ institutional score recipient code, please get in touch with us; weā€™ll be happy to assist you.


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DANTES-Eligible Test Takers: Unlock Your Free DSST Exams


DANTES-Eligible Military Members: Unlock Your Free DSST Exams


Congratulations, active-duty military member! If you're gearing up for your DSST exams, you're in luck.


As a DANTES-eligible military member, your first attempt at all exams is completely free.


You can take over thirty DSST exams without paying the fee on your first try.


Seize this opportunity to advance your education without a heavy financial burden.


To register, follow the steps listed below.


To get started, visit Prometric's website.


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DANTES Eligible Test Takers: Follow Steps One Through Eleven



Step One: Visit Prometric's Website and click "Schedule."


Step One: Visit Prometric's Website and click "Schedule."


Initiating the Scheduling Process


A. Verify Eligibility: Confirm that your site reads "DANTES ELIGIBLE MILITARY SERVICE MEMBERS ONLY."


B. Exam Type: Ensure you are scheduling under "TEST CENTER EXAM."


C. Start Scheduling: Click the "Schedule" button to proceed.



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Step Two: Preparing for a Test Center Appointment


Step Two: Preparing for a Test Center Appointment

Initial Verification

A. Verify Test Sponsor: Confirm that your Test Sponsor is "DSST."


B. Verify Program Name: Ensure your Program Name is "DANTES."


C. Review Preparation Information: Take a moment to review the section titled "Preparing for a Test Center Appointment."


D. Proceed: After verifying and reviewing the information, click the right arrow.



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Step Three: Consent Form


Step Three: Consent Form

Consent and Continue


A. Consent to Information: Carefully read and consent to the provided information as required.


B. Proceed: After consenting, please continue to the next section.



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Step Four: Pre-approved Testing Accommodations


Step Four: Pre-approved Testing Accommodations

Select Accommodations


A. Make Your Selection: Choose "Yes" if you have prearranged special accommodations or "No" if you haven't.


Proceed: After selecting, you will be prompted to the next section.



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Step Five: DSST Exam Selection



Step Five: DSST Exam Selection


Exam Selection


A. Select Your Exam: Choose your desired DSST exam.


B. Proceed: After making your selection, continue to the next section.



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Step Six: Find Your Test Center


Step Six: Find Your Test Center

Choose Your Exam Location and Date


A. Enter Exam Location: Input your address or the area where you want to take your DSST exam. The system will display all the Prometric test centers in that location.

B. Start Date: Specify the day you'd like to take your exam. The system will check for local test center availability on that day. It will display the following available dates and times if it's unavailable.


C. End Date: Indicate the last day you are willing to schedule your exam.


D. Two Weeks Availability: The system will show two weeks' availability. You can schedule your final exam within any two weeks.


E. Proceed: After making your selection, continue to the next section.


PRO TIP: To secure your preferred appointment, it's advisable to reserve your test date ahead of time.



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Step Seven: Sort by "Closest Test Center" or "First Appointment Available."


Step Seven: Sort by ā€œClosest Test Centerā€ or  ā€œFirst Appointment Availableā€

Choose Your Test Center and Date


A. Sort Options: You can choose to sort by "Closest Test Center" or "First Appointment Available" based on your preference.


Select Date: Review the testing dates, and once you've chosen a date, available times will be displayed.



Ā 


Step Eight: View More Sites


Step Eight: View More Sites

Explore More Test Sites


A. Expand Options: Scroll down and click "More Sites." This action will reveal additional test sites.


B. Map View: You can also explore test sites on the map for your convenience.



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Step Nine: Reserve your Preferred Date and Time


Step Nine: Reserve your Preferred Date and Time

Choose Your Date and Time


A. Select Date: Choose your preferred date.


B. Select Time: Choose your preferred time.


C. Proceed: After selecting the date and time, continue to the next section.



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Step Ten: Profile Information

Step Ten: Profile Information

Provide Profile Information and Recipient Code


A. Enter Information: Include the Institutional Score Report Recipient Code in your profile details. You can find a list of military branch codes below for your reference. If you attend a college or university, click here for a current list of codes.



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Step Eleven: Appointment Verification


Step Eleven: Appointment Verification

Confirm Your Information


A. Double-check Personal Details: Take a moment to verify your personal information.


B. Verify Appointment Details: Ensure that your appointment details are accurate.


C. Examine Payment Details: If this is your initial attempt, the "Price" should be $00.00. Please confirm this information.


D. Finalize Your Appointment: Complete the appointment process and show up on your scheduled date and time.


Don't forget to monitor your email for the confirmation number.


Store it securely for future use, as you must provide it at your test center on the day of your exam.


Great news! Your DSST test center exam is now officially scheduled!


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Military Members: Reporting Your DSST Test Scores


Military Members: Reporting Your DSST Test Scores


DSST Institutional Recipient Codes for Military Personnel


For military members seeking to report their DSST test scores to their respective military institutions to pursue college credit, it's crucial to understand the specific codes required.


These codes are designed to facilitate the efficient transmission of test score data and are tailored to different military branches.


Below, you'll find the unique Institutional Recipient Codes associated with various military branches:


  • Community College of the Air Force (CCAF): Code 7992


  • Army/American Council on Education Registry Transcript System (AARTS) ā€“ Now Joint Services Transcript (JST): Code 7965


  • Sailor/Marine American Council on Education Registry Transcript System (SMARTS) ā€“ Now Joint Services Transcript (JST): Code 7964


  • Coast Guard (CGI) ā€“ Now Joint Services Transcript (JST): Code 7968



These codes ensure that your DSST test scores are accurately transmitted to the correct military institution for credit evaluation.



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Sending Your DSST Score Report (Exam Scores) to Colleges and Universities


Student ordering her DSST Score Report

DSST Exam Results


When preparing to forward your DSST exam results to a college or university, you must know the specific four-digit Institutional Recipient Code mandated by your chosen institution.


Contact your college or university to obtain the correct four-digit Institutional Recipient Code.


If you need assistance locating your Institutional Recipient Code, email us at support@dssttestprep.com, and we'll gladly assist you.


Each institution maintains its unique code, which ensures the accurate delivery of your DSST test scores.


By adhering to these steps and confirming the code requisites with your institution's academic advisor or counselor, you can streamline sending your DSST results to your desired college or university.


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DANTES-Eligible Test Takers: Rescheduling Your Exam


Life can be unpredictable, and sometimes you need to adjust your plans.


If you need to reschedule your DSST exam, don't worry; it's a straightforward process.


Just follow the steps below.



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Step One: Visit Prometric's Website


Step One: Visit Prometric's Website

Initiating the Rescheduling Process


A. Verify Exam Type: Ensure you are scheduling under "TEST CENTER EXAM."


B. Start Rescheduling: Click the "Reschedule" button to proceed.



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Step Two: Reschedule Your DSST Exam


 Step Two: Reschedule Your DSST Exam

Reschedule Your DSST Exam


A. Enter Confirmation Number: Input your confirmation number, which can be found in your registration email confirmation.


B. Provide Last Name: Enter the first four characters of your last name.


C. Proceed: Please click "Submit" and continue to follow the prompts to complete the rescheduling of your DSST exam.



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Preparing for a Test Center Appointment


Preparing for a Test Center Appointment

DSST Exam Appointment


Taking an exam at a test center is a structured process that requires careful preparation to ensure a smooth and successful experience.


Before your test center appointment, here are some essential steps and guidelines.


What to Bring to the Testing Center


  • Government-Issued Picture Identification: You must present a current, valid, government-issued picture identification. Acceptable forms of identification typically include a driver's license or passport. It's essential that your ID does not expire at the time of your appointment, and the name on your identification card must precisely match the name you used when registering for the exam.


  • Identification Document Requirements: The identification document must be in Latin characters and contain your photograph and signature. This is crucial for verifying your identity at the testing center.


  • Limit Personal Items: To maintain test security, all personal items, including bags, electronic devices, and study materials, must be placed in a designated locker provided by the testing center. Therefore, limiting what you bring to the testing center is advisable to expedite the check-in process.


Check-In Requirements for Military Service Members


  • Military Members: Present your Common Access Card (CAC) and a valid government-issued identification during check-in.


What Time to Arrive at the Testing Center


  • Arrival Time: Plan to arrive at the testing center at least 30 minutes before your appointment. Arriving early allows ample time for the necessary check-in procedures, including identity verification and security checks.


Punctuality Matters


Being punctual for your appointment is crucial. If you arrive late, the test center may prevent you from taking your exam, and you risk losing your exam fee.


Arriving early ensures compliance with the test center's policies, provides peace of mind, and reduces stress before the exam.


Adhering to these guidelines and arriving well-prepared at the testing center can maximize your chances of a successful testing experience.


Remember that punctuality and proper identification are critical to ensure a smooth check-in process and a successful test day.


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Conclusion


Conclusion

Summary


In this comprehensive guide, we've walked you through locating a DSST test center and scheduling your final exam.


Whether you're a civilian, a self-funded military member, or an eligible military service member, we've provided detailed steps and insights to help you navigate the process seamlessly.


For those who prefer the benefits of human interaction and a physical test center, we've highlighted the convenience of Prometric DSST test centers throughout the United States.


With the Pro Scheduler tool, you can easily find a test center near you, select a convenient date and time, and make online payments all in one go.


We've addressed the distinct scheduling processes for civilians, self-funded military members, and eligible military members, ensuring clarity for each category of test taker.


Eligible military members, in particular, enjoy the privilege of taking their first DSST exams for free, offering an excellent opportunity to advance their education without financial burden.


Additionally, we've provided essential guidance on reporting your DSST test scores, whether you're a civilian or a military member seeking college credit.


Understanding the Institutional Score Report Recipient Code is crucial for seamlessly transferring your test scores to your educational institution.


Lastly, we've prepared you for your test center appointment, emphasizing the importance of proper identification, punctuality, and minimal personal items for a successful testing experience.


As you embark on your DSST exam journey, remember that preparation and attention to detail are critical to your success.


We hope this guide has equipped you with the knowledge to schedule and complete your DSST exams confidently.


If you have any questions or need additional assistance, please get in touch with us at support@dssttestprep.com, and we will be more than happy to assist you.


Good luck with your DSST exams!



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