CLEP vs DSST: Which Exam Should You Take?

CLEP and DSST both do the same basic thing: they let you earn college credit by passing an exam instead of sitting through a whole course. That's where the similarity ends. Pick the wrong one and you can study hard for a credit your school won't even take. So before you commit, it's worth understanding how they actually differ.

Quick Comparison

| | CLEP | DSST | |---|---|---| | Exams available | 34 | 22 | | Cost per exam | $97 | $100 | | Accepted at | 2,900+ schools | 1,900+ schools | | Run by | College Board | Prometric | | Best for | General education credits | Specialized/career-focused credits | | Time limit | 90 minutes | 120 minutes |

When to Choose CLEP

When you're not sure, CLEP is the safer bet. It's accepted at more schools, and it covers the subjects most general education requirements lean on: Psychology, Algebra, English, History, Biology.

Choose CLEP if:

• You need general education credits
• Your school definitely accepts CLEP (check first!)
• You want the widest acceptance

When to Choose DSST

DSST goes after the more specialized stuff: Personal Finance, Criminal Justice, Ethics, Technical Writing. It's a favorite among military service members, partly because the military often covers the exam fee.

Choose DSST if:

• You have work experience in the subject area
• You need credits in specialized fields
• You're active duty or a veteran (free through DANTES)

Can You Take Both?

Absolutely, and a lot of students do exactly that, mixing CLEP and DSST exams to pile up as many credits as possible. Just talk to your school's registrar first to confirm which specific exams they accept and how many credits each one is worth.

How to Prepare

The good news is the prep is the same either way. Take a diagnostic to find your weak areas, then put your practice there instead of on what you already know. Before test day, sit a full mock exam. And when your pass probability tells you you're ready, believe it and schedule.

PrepLion covers all 34 CLEP exams and 22 DSST exams with the same adaptive practice system.