Business Math DSST

[adamdriggers]

There is no Instacert prep for the DSST Business Math. I have gone through the book "Basic Business Math" by Richard P. Truchon and I have the few resources in the DSST Official Test-Preparation Guide (a sketchy overview of the test with two practice exams). I heard someone suggest going through Instacert's College Math cards, but when I reviewed the content percentage breakdowns, it looks like my time would be better spent on actual business math rather than general math. Has anyone taken this exam? Any help/suggestions? Remember anything I should study up on? I would remain eternally grateful for any suggestions.:o

[snazzlefrag]

There is no Instacert prep for the DSST Business Math. I have gone through the book "Basic Business Math" by Richard P. Truchon and I have the few resources in the DSST Official Test-Preparation Guide (a sketchy overview of the test with two practice exams). I heard someone suggest going through Instacert's College Math cards, but when I reviewed the content percentage breakdowns, it looks like my time would be better spent on actual business math rather than general math. Has anyone taken this exam? Any help/suggestions? Remember anything I should study up on? I would remain eternally grateful for any suggestions.:o

Bumping this thread to the top for Leah.

I'm sorry, I haven't taken this exam. Hopefully someone else will be able to give you some suggestions.

I have heard that this isn't TOO difficult of an exam though.

Best of luck,
Snazzlefrag

[adamdriggers]

I took this Wednesday. I won't know my scores for two weeks, but I am pretty sure I passed. My 17-year-old brother is taking it tomorrow. If he can do it, *you* can do it. (I sound like an army recruiter).

This was my last paper DSST since they went computerized Oct 1, 2006. If I passed, I have only one more DSST - retake the, as we say in Texas, "stinkin'" Money and Banking in February. But first I'm going to attempt the CLEP Calculus. I know, I know. I'm crazier than a coconut.

Since I had a hard time locating study guides/resources for this test, hopefully this will assist you:

Biggest resource was Peterson's book.
There are only 59 questions!
There were four tables at the front of the test to reference:
1. Present Value for one dollar for present value compounding intrest
2. Future value for one dollar for future value compounding intrest
3. Present Value Annuity for one dollar for present value compounding intrest
4. Future value Annuity for one dollar for future value compounding intrest
There was also a conversion table (i.e. converting gallons to liters, etc) that I referenced for one question.

Most important: know the formulas for calculating FV, PV and when to use the annuity tables and when to use the regular compounding tables.

KNOW: LIFO, FIFO, weighted mean (like three questions), mean, median, mode, P/E Ratio, Return on Assets Ratio (and how to apply them), Straight Line Depreciation (formula and how to use it - two questions on this), paraboloa and linear equations (know theories behind them), how to round numbers, pie graph, bar graph, percentages, markdowns and markups, trade discount (looks like 40/20/10 and means they first took off 40%, then 20% then 10%), what makes the breakeven point go up or down, and there were like three payroll questions for employees working overtime.

NOT ON TEST: standard deviation, financial statements or financial analysis or annuity due questions or law questions.

ALSO:The questions in the Peterson's Pretest, Sample Test and Post Test and the little eight-question print out on the exam description are WAY harder than the real thing - be encouraged.

The easy questions were very very easy. The table questions sound really intimidating, but the formula and tables make them cake if you understand them - unfortunately I discovered the night before I would be using the tables so I learned to use them during the test (thank goodness DSST is untimed).

I have a lot more hints, but I'm not sure if anyone is taking this, but if you are, reply to this post and I will tell you more.

[adamdriggers]

Well, today I received that intimidating manilla envelope in the mail from Dantes with my score for Business Math and......the prayers worked. Passing was 48 and I got a 75 - my highest DSST score ever. If you can work with the tables and have even an average level of math, this is a quickie three credits. Woo-hoo!!! Isn't it a great feeling to know you will never have to study this junk again?

But let me tell you, pre-calculus is killing me......

[SimonTam]

[SIZE="5"]Congratulations![/SIZE]
[SIZE="3"]Always a good feeling when you pass a test.[/SIZE]

[rome]

That's great--a 75 in any math is awesome!

[adamdriggers]

My 17-year-old brother got his results back and scored a 67. My other guy friend scored a 69 on this, as well. You guys should take it!