Unlock Massive Savings at Penn State University
Attention, current and prospective Pennsylvania State University (Penn State) students!
Are you looking for an intelligent way to fast-track your degree while saving thousands of dollars?
Look no further than DSST exams.
By passing DSST exams, resident students can save an astonishing $26,940.00 in tuition costs, while non-resident students can pocket a staggering $75,765.
These credit-by-exam opportunities offer a remarkable chance to earn up to 45 undergraduate semester units at Penn State.
Accelerate Your Academic Journey
Whether you're just starting to explore your options or already immersed in your studies at Penn State, leveraging DSST exams can be a game-changer for your academic and financial journey.
By demonstrating your knowledge and earning credits through these exams, you can streamline your path to graduation, freeing up time and resources to pursue other academic or personal goals.
Don't miss this incredible opportunity to save money, gain a competitive edge, and potentially graduate sooner.
Explore the DSST exam options available at Penn State and start planning your strategy today!
Credit From DSST Exams
Source: Credit From DSST Exams
DSST Exams
DSST exams, formerly DANTES Subject Standardized Tests, offer a standardized approach to testing that allows students to demonstrate their understanding and "test out" of specific subjects through one final exam.
Penn State recognizes the value of these exams and encourages students to use them as a cost-effective way to manage tuition expenses and accelerate their path to graduation.
This guide aims to provide prospective and current students with valuable insights on utilizing DSST exams to test out of general education courses and earn valuable college credits.
"Test Out" and Earn College Credits by Passing One Final Exam.
Credit By Examination
Save Money on Tuition And Accelerate Your Degree
Here's what you need to know about earning credits through examination at Penn State:
Credits by examination, as described in policy 42-50, can be earned by successfully completing a challenge examination.
These credits cannot replace a course for which you have already received a letter grade, including failed courses.
Credit by examination is not graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis.
Some courses may not be eligible for credit by examination.
You must earn a "C" or above grade to receive credit. Grades of "D" or "F" will not be noted.
The process involves obtaining a Credit-by-Examination Application Form from your college dean and following the instructions provided on the form.
There is a $30.00 assessment fee per credit earned through examination.
DSST Exams Don't Affect Your GPA
Penn State grants college credit for DSST exams with 400 points or higher passing scores.
If you achieve this score, you'll receive a "P" grade (Pass) without impacting your GPA.
You can retake the exam every 30 days until you pass.
Each exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions with four answer choices.
A passing score is 400 points or higher, typically requiring answering approximately 58% to 62% of the questions correctly.
This flexible scoring system makes DSST exams appealing to individuals who are good at taking exams.
DSST Exams Are Graded as Pass or Fail and Won't Affect Your GPA.
DSST Exams Versus Penn State Tuition
DSST Exams Vs. Penn State Undergraduate Tuition
Penn State 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.
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 Penn State to the cost of taking an equivalent three-semester-hour unit DSST exam.
Three (3) Semester-Hours Vs. DSST Exams
Scroll through the table below.
Description | Unit Type | Cost per Unit | Number of Units | Total Cost | Total Savings |
Penn State Tuition: | |||||
Undergraduate General Elective Class | Semester-hour | $632.00 (1 unit)* | 3 | $1,896.00 | |
DSST Exam Fees: | |||||
DSST Exam | Semester-hour | $100.00 (3 units) | 3 | $100.00 | |
Total Savings with DSST Exams | $1,796.00 |
*Non-Pennsylvania resident tuition is $1,717.00 per credit hour at the University Park campus. The fee schedule is subject to annual change.
One Resident General Elective Class at Penn State:
$632.00 (semester-hour) x 3 semester-hour units = $1,896.00
One Non-Resident General Elective Class at Penn State:
$1,717.00 (semester-hour) x 3 semester-hour units = $5,151.00
Passing one DSST exam can earn you credit for three (3) semester-hour units.
Regardless of residency status, a non-refundable $100.00 test fee is required to take the exam.
Penn State resident students will save $1,796.00 in tuition costs for one 3-semester-hour unit course by testing out with DSST exams.
Non-resident students can save $5,051.00 per 3-semester-hour course.
Fifteen (15) Semester-Hours Vs. DSST Exams
A full-time course load schedule for undergraduate students comprises 15 units (5 classes) per semester.
Let's view the potential savings below.
Scroll through the table below.
Institution | Semester-Units | Cost Per Unit | Number of Classes | Tuition | DSST Exam Fees | Total Cost | Total Savings |
Penn State | 15 | $632.00 | 5 | $9,480.00 | - | $9,480.00 | |
DSST Exams | 15 | $100.00 | 5 | - | $500.00 | $500.00 | |
Total Savings with DSST Exams | $8,980.00 |
Penn State resident students will save $8,980.00 in tuition for 15 semester-hour units (5 courses) testing out with DSST exams.
Non-residents can save $25,755.00.
Forty Five (45) Semester-Hours Vs. DSST Exams
Scroll through the table below.
Institution | Semester - Units | Cost Per Unit | Number of Classes | Tuition | DSST Exam Fees | Total Cost | Total Savings |
Penn State | 45 | $632.00 | 15 | $28,440.00 | - | $28,440.00 | |
DSST Exams | 45 | $100.00 | 15 | - | $1,500.00 | $1,500.00 | |
Total Savings with DSST Exams | $26,940.00 |
If resident students test out of 15 classes, they'll save $26,940.00 in tuition.
Non-resident students will save $75,765.00.
What Classes Can I "Test Out" Of?
Source: Penn State DSST Exam List
Students can earn college credits by completing an equivalent DSST subject exam, as outlined in the table below.
Penn State DSST Exams Articulation Guidelines
DSST Course Exam | Penn State Equivalent Course | DSST Course Credit |
History HIST 197: Special Topics | 3 units | |
ART H 100: Introduction to Art | 3 units | |
ASTRO 001:Astronomical Universe | 3 units | |
Business Administration at the 100-Level | 3 units | |
Business Mathematics | None | 3 units |
Management Information Systems at below the 100-Level | 3 units | |
CRIM 100: Intro to Criminal Justice | 3 units | |
Environmental Resource Management as a Gen Ed-Natural Science at the 100-Level | 3 units | |
Philosophy PHIL 003: Ethical Life | 3 units | |
EDTHP 115: Education in American Society | 3 units | |
Fundamentals of College Algebra | MATH 21:College Algebra I | 3 units |
CN ED: Fundamentals of Counseling | 3 units | |
SRA 22 1: Overview of Information Security | 3 units | |
Anthropology as a Gen Ed- Social Science | 3 units | |
BB H (Biobehavioral Health); Here's to Your Health | 3 units | |
History HIST 197: Special Topics | 3 units |
LHR 305: Human Resources Fundamentals | 3 units | |
BA 100: Introduction to Business | 3 units | |
GEOG 20: Human Geography- An Introduction | 3 units | |
Geosciences at below the 100-Level | 3 units | |
Non-transferable | 3 units | |
No credit awarded | 3 units | |
PSYCH 212: Introduction to Developmental Psychology | 3 units | |
Management Information Systems at the 100-Level | 3 units | |
Math for Liberal Arts | Mathematics at below 100-Level | 3 units |
No credit awarded | 3 units | |
Management at the 100-Level | 3 units | |
FIN 108: Personal Finance | 3 units | |
TBD | 3 units | |
FIN 108: Personal Finance | 3 units | |
No credit awarded | 3 units | |
Principles of Statistics | STAT 100: Statistical Concepts | 3 units |
Management at the 100-Level | 3 units | |
BB H: Drug /Alcohol Abuse | 3 units | |
Non-transferable | 3 units | |
History HIST 197: Special Topics | 3 units |
Pro Tip: Penn State allows students to transfer up to 45 DSST exam units, equivalent to 15 courses, towards a baccalaureate degree.
Contact Your Academic Counselor
Source: Meet With An Adviser
Meet With An Advisor
Consulting with your academic adviser 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.
Consider taking a complimentary practice test to acquaint yourself with each subject.
Pro Tip: Before taking any DSST exam, contact your academic adviser to confirm and verify that specific DSST course credits apply to your degree program.
Where Can I Take My DSST Exam?
Prometric Test Centers
DSST exams are offered and proctored by Prometric.
You can schedule and take your DSST exam at any Prometric test center strategically positioned across the United States.
When enrolling for a DSST exam, you can choose between two options:
Attend the exam at a physical Prometric brick-and-mortar test center.
Opt for a remote exam through Prometric.
Each option has unique advantages; you can easily schedule your exam online for added convenience.
Let's explore each option below.
You can take your DSST exam at a local Prometric test center or remotely online.
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.
Remote Proctoring: Take Your DSST Exam Online
Online Testing
You can take your DSST exam online remotely from your personal computer.
A live proctor will monitor you throughout your exam.
Schedule your reservation to sign up for your DSST exam from the comfort of your own home.
Pick the subject you'd like to test in, choose a suitable test date, and pay the exam fee online.
It's a convenient and straightforward process.
To schedule and take your exam remotely, please view our post below.
How Will Penn State Receive My DSST Exam Results?
Institutional Score Recipient Code
Whether you opt for an online or in-person DSST exam, knowing Penn State's 4-digit school Institutional Score Recipient Code is essential.
Penn State will receive a complimentary copy of your exam scores from Prometric using their designated institution's 4-digit score recipient code: 9277.
The processing time for Penn State to receive the score report ranges from 2 to 3 weeks.
Once Penn State receives your score report, they will apply your units toward your degree program.
Once Prometric receives your 4-digit code, they send your score report directly to Penn State for free.
Usually, you would enter your 4-digit code when registering for your exam.
Currently, Prometric doesn't allow you to input your Institutional Score Recipient Code during registration.
Until this feature is available, you must contact Prometric directly for assistance.
Be sure to contact Prometric within two days after your exam and provide them with your four-digit institutional score recipient code (9277).
Contact Prometric at:
Toll Free: 1-877-471-9860
For more details, view our blog:
Pro Tip: To expedite the processing of your college credits, contact Prometric two days after your exam, providing them with your university's Institutional Score Recipient Code (Penn State: 9277 ).
If you wish for your institution to receive your exam results, ensure that you provide your 4-digit code to Prometric each time you take a DSST exam.
How Do I Get Started with DSST Exams?
Getting Started with DSST Exams
Consult your academic adviser 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
Simplify Your Progress to Graduation with Convenience and Effectiveness
DSST exams offer an innovative and cost-effective solution for students who wish to expedite their degree requirements, minimize tuition expenses, and maintain a high GPA.
Unlike traditional semester-long classes, DSST exams allow students to study independently, control the pace of their academic progress, and complete an exam when they feel adequately prepared.
Successfully passing DSST exams allows students to bypass traditional classroom courses and earn credits to satisfy requirements and prerequisites for some majors and electives.
By utilizing DSST credit-by-exam, students may strategically test out of up to 45 semester-hour units, equivalent to 15 elective courses, significantly reducing the overall cost of obtaining an undergraduate college degree.
Pennslyvania State University provides a forward-thinking, progressive option where students may shorten the time required to complete a baccalaureate degree with DSST credit-by-examination.
The flexibility provided by DSST exams allows students to efficiently navigate through general education courses, streamlining their academic path without sitting through an entire semester-long class.
The financial advantages and the convenience of self-paced study and testing make DSST exams enticing for students seeking a strategically effective and economically affordable pathway to graduation.
With Pennsylvania State University fully embracing this credit-earning opportunity, students are encouraged to confidently utilize DSST exams for an accelerated and enhanced collegiate experience.
If you have additional questions, please get in touch with us at support@dssttestprep.com.
We'll be more than happy to assist you.
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