The Best DSST Study Guides of 2024

DSST, also known as DANTES Subject Standardized Tests, is a set of examinations initially designed by the United States Department of Defense. It’s an excellent opportunity for students to earn extra college credits or pursue a more non-traditional way of college.

However, preparing for the DSST tests is not a piece of cake. For some students, it takes weeks to ready themselves for the examinations appropriately. However, that should not be the case; the tests are not meant to be incredibly difficult as they ease students’ way through subjects.

Hence, we offer you an extensive list of the best DSST study guides around, which offer the best insight into studying for the examination, what to expect, and what topics are covered.

If you want to just get back to studying, get our top pick for DSST study guides here.

Our Favorite for Best DSST Study Guides

The main problem with listing the best study guides for the DSST tests is over 30 subject tests. These involve Mathematics, Physical Sciences, Humanities, and Business.

However, people taking the DSST examination are not usually pursuing specific subject fields; numerous students take DSST to earn some college credit. The reasons people do that are:

• Save tuition money you would otherwise pay in college
• Finish your college degree a little earlier
• You would have more flexibility during your college years
• Earn 4.5 credits for each DSST examination passed

Remember that the study guides mentioned in this article are not all specific to one topic. However, we do have a few favorite guides. Our number one favorite includes numerous discussions on various tests.

Master the DSST Exams Volume II

This study guide automatically takes the number one spot. It includes full-length sample tests and comprehensive guides on 12 subject tests. These focus on either new topics added or ones that have recently been updated:

• Criminal Justice
• Environmental Science
• Fundamentals of Cybersecurity
• Human Resource Management
• Introduction to Law Enforcement
• Math for Liberal Arts – new exam
• Organizational Behavior
• Principles of Public Speaking
• Principles of Statistics
• Technical Writing
• The Civil War and Reconstruction

What Makes It Unique:

• The Peterson study guide is the only preparatory guide that Prometric endorses (Prometric is the provider for the DSST examination)
• For each subject, the guide has pre-test preparation, review, and post-test explanations and answers
• Includes information that helps you prep (how to register, prepare, what to expect before and after the test, and strategies for high scores)

Why Choose this Best DSST Guide:

• After every chapter, you’ll find a few pages of review material that will ease your way into the examination
• In the study guide, there is an assessment grid that you should optimize to figure out your areas of weakness and strength
• After every chapter, you’ll have a set of 60 questions that aim to test your knowledge of the chapter
• If you’re looking for a cheap way to study multiple DSST subjects, this is the way to go

Last update: 2024-05-08

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Runner Ups for Best DSST Study Guides

DTP Free Study Guides

While the picture above is a guide through Art of the Western World, DTP (Dantes Test Prep) has quite a list of subjects they explore. However, our favorite thing about these guides is that they’re for free. Hence, the topics you will see listed below are only free versions you can optimize to prepare for the DSST exams:

• Art of the Western World
• A History of the Vietnam War
• Civil War & Reconstruction
• Criminal Justice
• Ethics in America
• Fundamentals of Counseling
• Human Cultural Geography
• Introduction to Computing
• Introduction to World Religions
• Lifespan Developmental Psychology
• Personal Finance
• Principles of Supervision
• Technical Writing

To access these free guides, check out DTP’s website.

What Makes It Unique:

• Offers 13 guides through numerous topics (but keep in mind, you should not use this as the sole method of prep)
• Each guide includes a practice exam consisting of approximately 50 questions followed by an answer key
• You can find the online pdf versions that will ease your way into the examination

Why Choose this Best DSST Guide:

• If you’re looking for simple and accessible ways to start your journey into the DSST examinations, this is the way to familiarize yourself with the basics
• It’s a free guide that you can access on your phone
• You don’t have to struggle with carrying books around with you all the time

 

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Mometrix DSST Study Guides

Mometrix is a center for test preparation. They offer numerous different preparation guides for multiple DSST subjects. However, the list is too extensive to list here, but you can find all the topics on their website.

What Makes It Unique:

• While one book spanning one subject is a bit more expensive than other resources, obtaining one of those guides would be the only thing you need to ace your examination
• If you’re looking for the best way to study for DSST exams, Mometrix books are the way to go, as all students who successfully go through the guide swear by it
• Includes “secrets” of the DSST and explains numerous problems you might be having and how to tackle them

Why Choose this Best DSST Guide:

• If you feel lost and unsure about how to get through the DSST, this guide explains it all
• You will learn how to tackle your problems, how to study appropriately, practice sufficiently, and how to pace yourself
• If you generally have issues with studies, we recommend this book to help you learn how to do so

Last update: 2024-05-08

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Value Picks for Best DSST Study Guides

Study.com Study Guides

If you struggle with reading through material from a book or online pdf files, then check out Study.com’s online guides. The fantastic thing is that they have study guides and test preparation on every single DSST topic out there, so you can pick and choose whichever you want.

What Makes It Unique:

• com offers courses on every DSST topic
• Each subject spreads into chapters, and each chapter includes a quiz to test your knowledge
• There is a test after every single chapter you complete

Why Choose this Best DSST Guide:

• If you want to learn online, through videos, practice quizzes, and tests, then there probably isn’t something more elaborate than this guide
• Over 92% of students who utilize these resources pass their examination
• You create your account to keep track of your progress and weak points

 

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DSST Official Test Preparation Guide

DSST test subjects that inside the guide include:

• Business Mathematics
• Ethics in America
• Financial Accounting
• Human Resource Management
• Introduction to Business
• Organizational Behavior
• Personal Finance
• Principles of Supervision

Now, every topic mentioned above is covered in approximately 20 pages. The book contains around 400 pages, including review and sample tests at the end of each chapter.

What Makes It Unique:

• There are fact sheets included with sample tests and additional resources for your knowledge
• You’ll find a highly detailed review of each topic
• Pre-tests and post-tests for each subject

Why Choose this Best DSST Guide:

• This guide allows you to dive into the topics, offers all the basics you need, and adequately prepares you (we do recommend you do individual research as well)
• Perfect resource if you’re solely preparing for the test subjects listed above

However, keep in mind that this guide prepares you for lower-level topics. If you’re looking for more advanced options, then 20 pages on each case will not be enough to prepare you. Hence, we recommend this guide for students looking to pass multiple lower-level examinations.

Last update: 2024-05-08

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How to Choose the Best DSST Study Guides?

Choosing the best DSST study guide will vary depending on what you’re looking for. For instance, some people are simply looking for cost-effective ways. On the other hand, some students prefer getting one individual book for each topic instead of purchasing one massive book that involves numerous issues.

Moreover, the type of guide you’re looking for depends on how much prior knowledge you already have. However, if you’re taking DSST examinations to gather credits for your college, then you might need to consider taking easy topics.

Budget

Think about how much money you’re willing to spend. If you’re going to take one subject, you might want to buy the best guide, however expensive it might be, and ace your exams. However, if you’re planning to sit for multiple subject tests, we recommend you get more resources for the money spent. To do so, you can buy a guide that includes more than one subject test.

Resource Type

Are you more of a typical by-the-book student? Or do you prefer a more interactive method? See, the more traditional method of studying for any examination includes purchasing a hard copy of the book and going through it from front to back. However, there are numerous other ways to prep for your DSST exams.

Military

If you’re military personnel, you’re eligible for some free online resources. Not only that, but you do take your DSST examination for free the first time around. Hence, there is a DSST practice test military online. Keep in mind that you must be an active-duty military to use these. DSST Prep offers free online resources, and they walk you through the necessary steps you need.

Choose Subjects

You cannot just purchase any study guide without settling on the subjects beforehand. Hence, to get the ultimate DSST guide suited for you, first decide which topics you want to sit for. That makes things easier for you, as it narrows down the possible resources you can choose from.

Test Scores

Are you simply sitting for the examinations to get extra credit? Save up on tuition money? Or maybe you want to graduate earlier from college. Well, no matter what it is, if you do not want to put in too much work, then select a topic you’re already good at.

Remember that DSST test pass rates are usually 400 out of 600. That equates to a “C” grade, which is enough for you to pass and earn your credits. However, some topics are tough to pass. Hence, depending on your intentions, go to the subject test you feel more comfortable with.

Wrapping Things Up: The Best DSST Study Guides

Preparing for the DSST examination is much easier than you might think. However, settling one study guide is the most challenging part. You don’t have to stress about it too much once you have the best study guide with you.

However, you can figure out the ultimate study guide for you according to a few criteria. That includes the amount of money you’re willing to spend, the topics you want to sit for, and if you wish to sit for a difficult or easy examination.

Our article above lists our favorite study guides out there, giving you all the options you need, including paperback manuals to online videos and resources.