A Change im DSST Drug & Alcohol Abuse

[loredia]

Last Friday, I called my local DSST Test Center to set up an appointment to take the Drug & Alcohol Abuse Exam. The center told me that a few days ago, they received a new version of the DSST Drug & Alcohol Abuse Exam and that it was paper & pencil, and not computerized anymore. She said that they just got it from the testmakers a few days before.

It didn't make much sense to me. Has anyone else heard of this?
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[Devilry]

same test questions just on paper? or totally different test?

[loredia]

Originally Posted by Devilry

same test questions just on paper? or totally different test?

She said it was a different test, and that's why it was sent as paper/pencil method. I'm going to call again tomorrow and try to speak with a different person.

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[StealingDreams]

You better talk to someone else. I don't think she knew what she was talking about. I just logged onto the DSST testing site and the Drug and Alcohol Abuse test is still there to be taken. (You can log on just like when you take the test only without a proctor username and password you can't actually take any tests)

[Gary]

Originally Posted by loredia

Last Friday, I called my local DSST Test Center to set up an appointment to take the Drug & Alcohol Abuse Exam. The center told me that a few days ago, they received a new version of the DSST Drug & Alcohol Abuse Exam and that it was paper & pencil, and not computerized anymore. She said that they just got it from the testmakers a few days before.

It didn't make much sense to me. Has anyone else heard of this?
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I took that test (Drug & Alcohol, DSST, upper level) about 2 months ago. It was a paper and pencil and I took it at the Air Force Base. I waited about 4 weeks for results. I got an "A" but it wasn't quite as easy as I expected. I used InstaCert and a couple of charts others have posted on this website. It's definitely passable, I expect to answer almost all questions right when I sit for a test where I feel prepared. Still, you shouldn't have too much trouble if you check out the various Drug & Alcohol posts on this site. Now that I look back at it, I liked studying for that compared to what I'm studying for now, a 400 level Public Administration from U of Idaho. Tons and tons of writing. The DSST's you just download the info and study. Good luck, you'll do fine.

[snazzlefrag]

Originally Posted by loredia

She said it was a different test, and that's why it was sent as paper/pencil method. I'm going to call again tomorrow and try to speak with a different person.

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loredia,

Just to put your mind at ease...

It is a VERY big deal whenever a standardized test is completely reformulated. These companies can't just change to a new version on the spur of the moment, or without telling anyone. There is usually at least two or three months advanced warning for us. Also, whenever a new version is introduced, the standardization procedures have to be redone in their entirety. So it is not something that is done often, or without much planning and forethought.

One reason that so many colleges and universities accept DSST and CLEP credits is that the testing companies have developed a lot of trust in their "standardization" procedures over the years. Were they to suddenly begin operating on a fly-by-night basis, that trust would be quickly broken, and we would find many schools withdrawing their blanket acceptance of these credits.

With that in mind, I doubt VERY HIGHLY that DSST would just suddenly decide to issue an entirely new version of ANY exam without any prior warning.

Hope that helps,
Snazzlefrag

[loredia]

Very good point Snazzlefrag. It seems much more logical how you put it. I think I just heard what she said and freaked out. I'm going to call tomorrow and speak to the person incharge of the test center.

[abunena]

I just checked with my testing center, I'm taking this test next week, and they said they only offer the computer based version.

Appreciate all the advise I've found on this site so far. This is my 6th test since March (and only my first post) and I primarily have been studying from IC and using Peterson's tests too.

[pmc2009]

There are 10 DSST's that are being beta tested as pencil and paper exams in some areas. Not all testing centers have the new versions. You can find more information about it in this thread - http://www.instantcertonline.com/for...t-scoring.html

and on the DSST website - The DSST Program

here is a direct link to the PDF document on the site - http://www.getcollegecredit.com/pdfs...et_2008-05.pdf


If you don't want to take the new pencil and paper version you might try another testing center in your area to see if they are still offering the computerized version.