DSST Personal Finance

DSST exams are internet-based or paper-based multiple-choice tests. Each one contains 100 questions and test takers are given two hours to complete it. The Personal Finance exam must be taken at an authorized DSST testing center, most of which are located on college campuses. Contact the center beforehand, because some locations do not allow walk-ins.

The minimum passing score for the Personal Finance exam is 400. Passing earns 3 semester hours at the 3 Baccalaureate level, as long as the school you send your score to accepts the exam for that credit. Check your institution's requirements, since acceptance is decided by the school rather than by DSST.

The test fee is $100 per exam. That fee does not include any administrative costs the testing site may require, so your total can be higher depending on the center. Eligible veterans may be reimbursed for the exam fee and the testing center administrative fee under the Post 9/11 GI Bill, since DSST is an approved VA National Testing Program.

Registration and payment are completed at the testing center within the testing platform on the day of the exam. There is no online pre-registration for the exam itself. You should still locate a testing center in advance and contact it to understand its scheduling policies, since some centers require appointments and refuse walk-ins.

Yes. All test takers are eligible to retest after a 30 day wait period. Eligible military students should note that DANTES only funds the first attempt to pass an exam; any later attempt to pass a failed exam is the test taker's own responsibility, so plan your preparation carefully before the first sitting.

You must present current and valid picture identification, such as a driver's license, passport, or picture student identification. DANTES-funded eligible military test takers must provide a valid Common Access Card. Only test takers are permitted in the testing room, and unauthorized visitors are not allowed at any time.

Bring only what the exam permits. If your exam requires a calculator, you may bring one meeting the published specifications. For paper-based exams you may also bring No. 2 pencils with an eraser and black ballpoint pens. Reference or study materials, scratch paper, cell phones, cameras, alarm watches, and similar electronics are not allowed.

The published content areas are credit and debt, major purchases, taxes, insurance, investments, and retirement and estate planning. Treat each as an equal block and diagnose yourself first: take a practice set per area, then spend most of your remaining time on the two weakest. Do not skip taxes or insurance just because investments feels more interesting.

Two patterns dominate. First, candidates memorize vocabulary but cannot apply it to a scenario, such as comparing the real cost of two loan offers or judging whether coverage is adequate. Second, they neglect the less glamorous areas, especially taxes and insurance, and lose easy questions there. Practice applying concepts to short scenarios, not just definitions.

DSST lists online test prep materials through EBSCO LearningExpress and Peterson's, and a downloadable fact sheet is available on the exam page. These are the preparation resources DSST itself points to. Your own college may also offer advising on which exams fit your curriculum, so consult your advisor before scheduling.