The following is a guest post by GetCollegeCredit.Com
We know what CLEP and DSST exams are, but what benefits are there for military personnel or people working for the armed forces? DSST offers some great benefits for those working with the armed forces, stemming much from the background of the test itself.
For starters, the U.S. Department of Defense’s Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support program first created DSST, known as DANTES Subject Standardized Tests, in 1974. Originally, the exam was created to help active duty military members attain higher education credits. Over time, the exam expanded its reach to include homeschooled and nontraditional students, however it still remains a popular choice for military members seeking to stay on track with their educational studies. Here are some of the key benefits that the DSST exam offers:
- Unlike CLEP tests, which are exclusively used for lower level credit, DSST exams can be used for both upper and lower level credits, which maximizes the test’s value throughout the pursuit of your degree. You have the opportunity to earn credits at the beginning, in the middle, and towards the end of your academic journey.
- The credit by examination program currently offers a variety of subject exams across a wide range of topics – this includes everything from Physical Science to History. Fundamentals of Cybersecurity is the newest exam to be added to DSSTs list and is highly recommended for military veterans.
- Military members frequently move to new training bases or for deployments, making it harder for them to stay on track with their academic programs. With DSST exams, you can continue to earn college credit while on active duty and save yourself money that is often lost when certain credits don’t transfer over easily.
- Some schools offer military members the opportunity to earn college credit for the training they acquired while on active duty. Instead of spending their tuition assistance dollars, military members can opt to use DSST exams to earn credits that transfer with them throughout their military travels.
- DANTES funds DSST testing for eligible service members, and civilian employees of the armed forces. This means that eligible individuals can take any DSST exam for free. However, this is only for the first attempt; the test taker, no matter what their military background is, must pay for any additional trials of the test.
If you have a family member that is considering joining the military and is thinking about their education options, be sure to share with them the benefits that they can gain through a credit by examination program.
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