DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (DSST)

1.

TESTING DAYS, TIMES AND REGISTRATION: The DSST computer-based or paper-pencil exams are administered Monday thru Friday at either 8:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m, or 2:00 p.m. Examinees need to report to the testing site at least 15-30 minutes prior to their scheduled testing time on their scheduled testing date. Registration must be done at least two weeks in advance of a requested appointment time (for the paper/pencil exams) by contacting the Testing Center at Sam Houston State University. Contact information can be found in the QUESTIONS section at the bottom of this page. Examinees can register for the computer-based DSST exam by going to the following website: www.shsu.edu/testing. Click here to register online!

2.

REGISTRATION/ADMINISTRATION FEE: A non-transferable, non-refundable registration/administration fee is charged at the rate of $30.00 for each test ($33 if you register online)an examinee is registering for. This fee is separate from the charge for the exam and may be paid by check or money order made payable to "SHSU". Additional information to be included on the face of the check or money order are the examinee's driver's license number and social security number. This fee may also be paid by credit card - Visa MasterCard, American Express, or Discover. This fee is paid when the examinee requests a date and time for their exam. If the examinee wishes to change a scheduled testing date, another registration/administration fee is charged and written information concerning the new appointment date and time is submitted.

3.

TEST FEE: The current cost for taking an exam is $80.00 per test. Examinees registering for the paper-pencil DSST may pay this fee by money order or certified check (made payable to “The DSST Program”) or by credit card (Visa, MasterCard, or American Express). Personal checks are not an acceptable form of payment for the DSST exams. Payment for computer-based DSST exams must be paid by credit card only (Visa, MasterCard, or American Express). This payment ($80.00) is to be paid before the test begins on the day of the exam.

4.

ITEMS NEEDED: Examinees must bring a current photo identification plus a second form of ID (i.e. social security card, student ID, etc.) in order to test in our Testing Center. Examinees will not be allowed to start testing without picture identification and the testing session will not be delayed waiting for proper identification to be presented.

5.

LATE EXAMINEES AND FAMILY/FRIENDS: Examinees arriving for their test after the testing session has begun will not be allowed to test. If they wish to reschedule for another appointment they must pay the registration/administration fee again. Adult visitors are not allowed to wait for an examinee while testing is in progress. They will be informed of an approximate time the examinee will finish testing and they will be asked to return at that time to pick-up the examinee. If children are brought to the Testing Center and expected to wait while an examinee takes their test the examinee will be refused their testing opportunity on that testing date. If the examinee wishes to reschedule their test to another testing date they will be required to pay the registration/administration fee again.

6.

ACCEPTABLE SCORES AND CREDIT:Acceptable scores for DSST exams are determined by the American Council on Education's "minimum score for awarding credit." Credit will not be awarded for an exam if the student is currently taking the course, has already taken the course, or has received credit for the course already. (The only exception to this policy will be with those students who have chosen to participate in the Academic Fresh Start Program.  These students will be allowed to take exams in areas they have previously taken that fall under the Academic Fresh Start guidelines.) Credit for DSST exams will be accepted in transfer from another college/university once we have received an official transcript showing the credit awarded (but only if the credit awarded at the previous college/university is transferable to SHSU) or by receiving an official DSST Score Report. Specific course prefixes, numbers, and credit hours will be awarded for acceptable scores, but no grades will be awarded, except in transfer from another college or university. There is a charge for additional score reports. To order a score report or receive additional information:

7.

QUESTIONS: If a person has questions concerning the DSST exams they may contact the office by writing to the Testing Center, Sam Houston State University, Box 2240, Huntsville, Texas 77341-2240; by visiting the office in Academic Building IV, Room 102; by calling (936) 294-1025; or by emailing test.ctr@shsu.edu.

8.

DSST WEB SITE: www.getcollegecredit.com

9.

DSST INFORMATION BULLETIN:http://www.getcollegecredit.com/resources.html

10.

RETAKES:Prometric has a policy of having to wait 90 days from the date of an exam in order retake a DSST exam.  SHSU strictly adheres to this policy.