DSST (DANTES Subject Standardized Test)

DSST-Get-College-Credit exams are college subject exams that can be taken to earn college credit for knowledge you acquired outside a traditional classroom. There are subject exams from which to select in disciplines such as Business, Humanities, Mathematics, Physical Science and more.

DSST is a form of prior learning assessment which is a viable and effective way to provide your college with evidence of prior learning and accelerate your college education. If you believe you know a subject well, you owe it to yourself to take at least one DSST exam and get ahead in college.

DSST subject examinations may be taken by students for course equivalencies subject to the following specific regulations:

  • Students must be admitted to NMC and have completed at least one NMC academic course.
  • No more than 12 semester hours of a combination of CLEP and DSST subject examination may be granted in any one discipline as determined by the Discipline Chair.
  • DSST credit will be recorded as transfer-in credit on the student’s permanent record after the student has achieved a pre-determined score for the specific subject exam. DSST credits are not computed in the student’s grade point average.
  • Standard, pre-determined scores have been established for awarding credit and are listed in the list of courses.
  • Credit earned by examination will count toward graduation but will not count as hours in residence at NMC. Successful completion of a minimum of 16 semester hours of credit at NMC is required for a degree from NMC.
  • A student may not receive credit both for taking the course and for passing the subject examination that is equivalent of that course.
  • A student may not repeat an examination for which he/she received no credit for a period of at least six months and earn credit at NMC.

NMC maintains a list of courses it will accept for credit through DSST. NMC will also test students who desire DSST credit at other institutions.

How To Apply

Obtain a registration form by contacting the Student Success Center, (231) 995-2134, or at the Student Success Center in the Osterlin Building.

When taking the assessment, be sure to include NMC as a score recipient if you wish to obtain credit at NMC.

DSST courses and score requirements »