DANTES "IBT" Exams

[ShotoJuku]

I'm looking for some general info and feedback from those of you that have taken any exams with the "new" DANTES "IBT" (Internet Based Testing) system.

I have taken a few paper-based versions (hate those bubbles but they're untimed) and am just looking for some feedback in regards to time limits, general format and how they compare to the CLEP CBT set-up (pay online w/credit card, option to send scores directly to school, etc.).

One more thing, what is the "code" for Excelsior College?

Thanks!

[blueyzz28]

I have taken 4 DSST exams, all of which were IBT. The great thing about DSST IBT exams is that you can create an account. This way you simply enter your ID and password and then verify all your information, your name, address, where the score is being sent, email address, etc. You do not have to re-enter all that information. You always have to re-enter your credit card information, I dont believe they keep that on file. Excelsior's code is 9370, I believe. You have 2 hours to finish the exam and DSST IBT is very similiar to the CLEP exam.

[ShotoJuku]

Thanks for the info!

Is is still the 5-answer option?

[blueyzz28]

One more thing. When I first took a DSST IBT exam and I created my account, I believe I had to enter the code of the institution where I was taking the exam, then there was another code entered for where you want your score sent, which is obviously different. The proctor will explain all of this to you, hopefully! My proctor is frantic on exam day, so many things I had to figure out myself.

You log onto the test site using your ID and password then you can take a test or you can review your scores from previous tests and print out your test results for all tests taken. Again, I double checked and Excelsior's code is 9370.

[blueyzz28]

No. The great thing about DSST IBT is that there are only 4 choices, which improves you odds if you do not know the answer. But, in my experience, the answer jumps out to me. I believe you have 2 hours to finish the exam once you begin, but my average time is 35 minutes. It is not that I am super-smart, the answer just jumps out to me on most exams. I will say that some of the questions they ask are vague, so it appears that there could be two answers depending on how you read the question. But that is rare, maybe 3 to 5 questions per exam are like that.

[lmnop098]

Do you know if there any locations in NYC that give the new Dantes IBT exams?

[ShotoJuku]

Originally Posted by lmnop098

Do you know if there any locations in NYC that give the new Dantes IBT exams?

Use this link to find out where in NY - The DSST Program : Students & Adult Learners

[cinderly]

I have never taken a paper-based CLEP or DSST. After my IBT DSST on Wednesday, I am re-doing my degree plan to include more DSSTs.

Perhaps I was just lucky, but the electronic DSST was significantly faster and the questions seemed more straight-forward in what they were asking for than either of the CLEPs I took. I was actually done so quickly that I sat there and kind of blinked at the screen for a bit.

I think the time limit was 2 hours and, like the computer-based CLEPs, there was a little timer in the upper left of the screen ticking away the seconds.

There's also a mark-for-review function and a summary at the end where you can review any of your answers before ending the test.

[ShotoJuku]

Originally Posted by cinderly

....and the questions seemed more straight-forward..........

Makes me woder if they also re-wrote exams to be more "clep-like" as the dantes exams (answer choices) were always oddly written????