DSST Personal Finance case studies
DSST Personal Finance · Put your knowledge to work in context.
The DSST Personal Finance exam is a credit-by-examination option that lets students earn college credit for knowledge they already have, rather than sitting through a course. DSST describes it as a Business exam at the 3 Baccalaureate level, worth 3 semester hours, with a minimum passing score of 400. Its stated content areas are credit and debt, major purchases, taxes, insurance, investments, and retirement and estate planning. The exam exists so that schools can award credit to students whose knowledge is equivalent to what a student would learn in a comparable course. The DSST Personal Finance case studies are 5 cases and about 4,081 words.
1Rolling Negative Equity Into an 84-Month Auto Loan
Maya, 29, earns 3,400 net per month and has 3,100 in savings. Her FICO score is 590.
905 words, about 5 min2Buying With 5% Down When the DTI Is Tight
Aisha and Tom have combined gross income of 92,000, or about 7,667 per month. They have 48,000 in savings, no separate emergency fund, and monthly debt payments of 610: 340 for a car loan and 270 for student loans.
819 words, about 4 min3Side Gig, Withholding, and the IRA Decision
Jordan is single, age 34, and works full time. His W-2 wages are 58,000, and he had 4,800 of federal income tax withheld.
754 words, about 4 min4Homeowners Claim After a Slow Leak
Ravi and Lena own a house built in 1998 with a replacement cost of 420,000. Their HO-3 policy has Dwelling Coverage A of 300,000, a 1,000 all-perils deductible, a 5,000 water-backup endorsement, and a 10,000 mold limitation.
805 words, about 4 min5Retirement Portfolio, Fees, and an Outdated Beneficiary
Denise is 58, divorced, and earns 105,000. She contributes 8% of pay to her employer's 401(k), which has a 640,000 balance and a 3% employer match.
798 words, about 4 min