Are the dantes and dsst tests the same and are they only available to service personnel or their families? If they are open to anyone, how the heck do you find a location testing site? and finally, can anyone compare for me the Thomas Edison TESC tests to a clep test as to degree of difficulty.
Thanks!!

They are the same. And, no they aren't only for servicemembers, they are only FREE for servicemembers though.

Go to getcollegecredit.com for a list of testing sites. In my area that list warmth very useful. I called the local military base and found out that they offer testing for civilians. That may be an option for you.

Just go to the website for nearly bares and boob for info on college credit. Most (maybe all) bases have testing centers and many offer services to civvies.

Thanks for the info..can you compare the two tests, dantes and clep, as to degree of difficulty and prep needed? Thanks again for the info.

I've taken 6 CLEPs and 2 Dantes. It's hard to compare if the tests are on different subjects (i.e. comparing CLEP Sociology to Dantes Here's to your Health). Something I did notice is that with CLEP's multiple choices, the answer is the odd one out, the one that doesn't match the other choices. With the Dantes exams I've taken, more than one or all the answers seamed quite feasible. Maybe it's that I wasn't prepared enough, but it was an observation.

Thanks to ThatPoshGirl for the info. on tests offered to civilians in military locations. I'm hoping the SouthCom office here in Miami offers civilians exams just 8 miles from me, rather than travelling 37 miles to nearest school.

Yikes! The Tablet PC got me again!

that should have been "nearby base and LOOK for..."

Hahaha, I didn't even notice the first time!

Unfortunatley the closest site to my home, the Southern Command Center, doesn't offer civilians testing services . I guess maybe only bases offer them. Oh well...

Anar579,

Go to the following link and click on Florida. It will show you a long list of civilian test centers (usually local colleges or universities).

http://www.getcollegecredit.com/04learners_c.html

Good luck,
Snazzlefrag

Thanks snazzlefrag, but I've done that search and the closest test center that will return my phone calls is in the next county, 35 miles away. It's tougher with Dantes because it's paper and pencil and the exam has to be ordered by the test center. I was just trying to find a closer test center. You can't always get what you want!

Hi Anar,

DANTES are definitely not as widely available as the CLEPs. But 35 miles away is not the end of the world. It could be a lot worse!

I drive 45 minutes each way to take my DANTES and CLEP exams. I would much rather put up with the inconvenience of driving that far, than put up with the expense and hassle of sitting in a classroom for sixteen weeks to earn the same credits.

It's a trade off...but well worth it.

If at all possible, travel the 35 miles....and count your blessings!


Best of luck,
Snazzlefrag