DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (DSST)
You are here
College of Western Idaho (CWI) offers DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (DSST) to the public. Please be aware, while CWI administers most DSST exams, the College does not accept all DSST scores. Please check with the Registrar's Office to see if your score will transfer, or review the PLA Student Handbook.
Important Information!
DSST credit will only be awarded to CWI students who are currently enrolled, past census date, in credit courses with a declared major. For more information, please contact the Registrar's Office at registrar@cwi.edu.
About the DSST
DSST gives students the opportunity to earn college credit for learning acquired outside the traditional classroom. With more than 30 exam titles in college subject areas such as Social Sciences, Math, Applied Technology, Business, Physical Sciences, and Humanities, DSST exams shorten the pathway to graduation while reducing college costs. Prior learning assessment tools like DSST, offer students a cost-effective, time-saving way to use knowledge acquired outside of the classroom (from personal research, on-the-job training, independent study, or work or military field experience) to accomplish their educational goals. DSST, originally only available to military personnel, is now available to all!
Why DSST?
- Earn 3-5 college credits for each passing test (varies by subject)
- Save tuition dollars
- Earn your degree on time or early
- Add flexibility to your degree program
Military Eligibility
- DANTES pays the fee for an eligible candidate’s first attempt to pass an exam
- Funding can be requested through the Department of Defense
- Exam appointments can be scheduled online
- Bring the DSST voucher to your exam
- Eligible candidates who do not pass an exam on their first attempt will be subject to a 30-day waiting period before retesting and are responsible for paying all retest and administration fees
Important Details
Re-Tests and Non-Military
Pay a $25 proctor fee at the time of registration, and bring a credit/debit card to purchase their exam at the time of your exam appointment. The cost for most exams are $85.
View a complete list of DSST exams
Score Reports
You will be provided an unofficial print out of your score at the time of your test. In order for your official DSST scores to be sent to your school of choice, you must know the four-digit school code at the time of your exam. To look up a nationally recognized school code, please visit the DSST website. Any time post exam, you may sign in to Prometric to retrieve your unofficial score.
Please be advised, CWI does not offer the Public Speaking DSST at this time.
Registration Steps
Registration Steps
- Choose a location – Nampa Campus or Ada County Center
- Select Prior Learning Assessments, CLEP, DSST Exams for Step 2, then select DSST Exam for Step 3.
- If you are bringing a DANTES voucher, please select that option.
- Non-military will pay a $25 non-refundable proctoring fee to CWI for each exam.
- Please note, this process will need to be repeated for each DSST exam you are taking. Payments will be submitted individually, regardless of testing on the same or different days.
- You will receive an exam confirmation with your appointment date, time, and location.
- Be prepared to present one physical form of identification at your testing appointment — a valid driver’s license, state-issued photo ID, Military ID, or a passport.
- Military candidates: Please bring your DANTES voucher and military ID with you to your testing appointment.