DSST Exams

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The DSST program (formerly known as DANTES) offers 38 exams, covering material taught in both upper and lower level college courses. Most DSST exams are designed to correspond to one-semester courses, although some include one or two year courses.

Eligibility

Students wishing to earn college credit for learning acquired outside the traditional college classroom.

Hours and Locations

Currently, the DSST program is offered at the Rio Salado College (RSC) Tempe and Luke AFB testing centers. 

  • RSC Testing, Tempe
  • RSC Testing, Surprise
  • RSC Testing, Luke Air Force Base

See All Testing Locations and Services

NOTE: DSST Public Speaking exams are only available by appointment at the Tempe and Luke Air Force Base testing centers. Please call 480-517-8560 for appointments.

Testing Hours

All exams are offered by appointment only. Please contact the location directly to request your appointment. The last DSST exam for the day will be administered no later than 3 hours before the Testing offices closes.

Fees and Payment Methods

  • $100 DSST fee that is paid on the day of the test. DSST only accepts credit cards. Exam fees are subject to change without prior notice.
  • $25 Rio Salado College administration fee that is paid on the day of the exam.
  • Exam fees are waived for Military Service Members for first attempt and the $25 proctoring fee is also waived if the exam is taken at Luke AFB. 
  • Fees at Rio Salado's Avondale, Southern, Northern, Thomas, Queen Creek and Surprise testing locations may only be paid by money order made payable to Rio Salado Community College.
  • Proctoring fees at the Tempe location may be made by credit card, checks and cash during Student Business Services open hours. If Student Business Services is not open, only money orders made payable to Rio Salado College will be accepted.

Photo Identification

You must present a valid form of identification before you can test. The identification must be government issued (e.g., driver's license, state-issued identification card, passport, or military identification card), contain both a current photo and your signature and have a name that exactly matches the name used to register for the exam (including designations such as ―Jr.‖ and ―III‖). NOTE: If you fail to present valid identification, you will not be allowed to test.

Titles and Descriptions

Most exams are not timed, multiple-choice and computer based. Please review the exams titles and descriptions for exceptions and details. Test takers must know the name of the test when coming into the Testing Center.
Exams with an optional essay are only required if specifically asked for by an advisor from your institution. The essay must be ordered and paid for in advance and may take up to 2-3 weeks from when they are ordered. To order an optional essay, please call 480-517-8560.

Study Materials

Scores

After completing the examination, except for Public Speaking, the examinee will receive a printed DSST Candidate Score Report from the testing center. Please be aware that Public Speaking scores take 6 to 8 weeks to receive.

Test results can also be viewed here by entering the username and password created when the test was taken.

For official scores to be sent to the institution of your choice, you must provide the institution's 4-digit DSST code at the time of your examination in order to have the scores successfully submitted.

Check with your school 3-4 weeks after testing to verify that it has received your scores. If for some reason your school has not received them, please contact Prometric at 877-471-9860 within 90 days of your test date and we will re-send the score report free of charge. Any request 90 days or more after the exam date will incur an administrative fee. No exceptions.

Credit and Transcripts

In order to receive credit, score reports must be received by the credit granting institution directly from DSST. To request an additional transcript, download the Transcript Order Form.

Credit received through DSST is transferable within the Maricopa Community Colleges, but may not necessarily transfer to other colleges and universities. Read the MCCCD policy on credit by examination. It is the applicant's responsibility to consult with the institution that will be receiving the test scores to ensure that the proper tests are taken and to verify the schools' acceptance of the examination.

Credit awarded for DSST will appear on the college transcript in the section "Credit Awarded by Advanced Standing" and will have a "DT" in the note column. To view this credit, please login to your Student Center.

Repeating Tests

If you have not achieved a satisfactory score, you may retake the same exam title after the required wait period has past (currently set at 90 days from your original testing date). If you attempt to take the same exam title before the required wait period, your exam will be invalid and test fees will be forfeited.

For more information contact the Tempe Testing Center at 480-517-8560 or by email Frontdesktesting@riosalado.edu