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  National Threat Level: Elevated

Preparing for DANTES (CLEP, DSST, Excelsior) Exams


Credit by examination is an excellent way to earn credits toward a college degree at little or no expense. This section will provide instructions on how to select the correct examination, locate resources to prepare for the exam and how to utilize those resources to maximize your ability to pass the exam.

Step 1: Select the Appropriate Exam

Determine the examination required for degree completion from either the SOC Student Agreement or CGI Institute Degree Plan. The SOC Degree Network System Credit Evaluation Supplement 2007-2008 provides the SOC Course category code for the DANTES Exams.

Policies on DANTES exams vary from institution to institution. Many colleges award credit at the score levels recommended by ACE. Some require scores that are higher or lower than ACE recommended score. For SOC schools refer to the SOC Consortium Guide 2007-2009.

Step 2: Locate the Study Guide/Fact Sheet

Obtain a CLEP study guide or DSST fact sheet at CG Central

(CG Central > Learning Tab > College Degree Programs > DANTES Distance Learning Programs )

or from the Unit Testing Control Officer. Use the CLEP study guide or DSST fact sheet to identify the knowledge and skills required for the exam. Locate suitable resource materials to assist your preparation; resources can include the internet, local libraries, and colleges.

The Study Guide/Fact Sheet contains a complete exam description—including a content outline, a description of the knowledge and skills required to do well, and sample questions—for each subject. The Study Guide/Fact Sheet is not designed to replace a textbook.

Step 3: Read the Exam Description

Review the DANTES exam description; review the study materials using the content outline for note taking. Take the sample test. If you answer 70% or more of the questions correctly, you are prepared to take the test.

Review section I and section II of the CLEP study. Sections I and II contain additional information on how to prepare for DANTES exams, information on how to take exams, and procedures for reporting flawed questions.

Step 4: Schedule the Exam

Contact your DANTES Test Control Officer in order to schedule the exam. If your unit does not have a DANTES Test Control Officer, contact your ESO for further assistance.

Online Study Resources

There are many free resources available to assist you in preparing for DANTES exams.

Last Modified 9/8/2008