What This Exam Covers
The Ethics in America DSST / DANTES exam covers the major ethical traditions from ancient Greece through to the present. It emphasizes applying those frameworks to real-world moral dilemmas such as war, law/punishment, biomedical ethics, human rights, and more. This exam deals with a lot of scenario-based questions more than simple memorization.
Exam at a Glance
| Questions | 100 multiple choice |
| Time | 120 minutes |
| Passing score | 400 (scaled score) |
| College credits | 3 semester hours (typical) |
| Exam fee | $100 (military free) |
What's on the Ethics in America DSST / DANTES*?
| Category | Weight | Topics |
|---|---|---|
| Contemporary Foundational Issues | 10% | The nature of ethics and its relationship to law and religion; moral relativism vs. moral absolutism; approaches to ethical theory |
| Ethical Traditions | 50% | Greek ethics (Socrates, Plato, Aristotle); religious ethics and divine command theory; natural law (Aquinas); Kantian deontology and the categorical imperative; consequentialism and utilitarianism (Bentham, Mill); social contract theory (Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Rawls); feminist and care ethics; virtue ethics |
| Ethical Analysis of Real-World Issues | 40% | Morality and sexuality; life and death issues (abortion, euthanasia); capital punishment; economic inequity and opportunity; racism and affirmative action; war and peace; environmental ethics; human rights; biomedical ethics |
Source: For a full breakdown of what is on the exam, see the DSST / DANTES Ethics in America exam fact sheet.
How hard is the Ethics in America DSST / DANTES*?
It's moderately difficult because of the scenario-based questions. Learning the theoretical section comes down to straight memorization. However, the applied section can be challenging for some as it requires you to reason through the scenario using the ethical frameworks you have learned.
Students with a philosophy background or strong critical thinking skills tend to find this exam pretty easy but those starting from scratch should plan to study for 4 to 5 weeks.
How to study for the Ethics in America DSST / DANTES*
- Work through the InstantCert flashcards noting which ethical system you have problems with. Read the answers carefully whether you get it right or not.
- You can get a few free practice questions from the GetCollegeCredit.com Ethics in America page.
- Crash Course Ethics is a great free resource and covers the majority of topics you'll need to pass.
TIP: Know your consequentialists (Bentham and Mill, greatest good for the greatest number) vs. your deontologists (Kant: duty-based ethics regardless of outcomes). Many exam questions hinge on correctly identifying which framework applies to a scenario.
What score do you need to pass?
A scaled score of 400 is the standard pass rate at most schools. Credit typically counts toward a humanities, philosophy, or ethics requirement. Confirm with your institution how the credit applies and what score you will need.
If you fail the attempt does NOT appear on your transcript.
Can you pass Ethics in America DSST / DANTES* with just flashcards?
Yes. The InstantCert flashcards cover both the theoretical traditions and the applied scenario material, which matches the two-part structure of the exam. Students who work through both sections and read the answers carefully do well. Our 96% pass rate holds across 862 results submitted, including students with no philosophy background going in.
If the applied scenarios feel shaky after finishing the flashcards, take a look at the Crash Course Ethics videos to try and shore up your knowledge.
Which colleges accept the Ethics in America DSST / DANTES*?
Most colleges and universities accept DSST credits and award 3 semester hours for a passing score. Credit typically satisfies a humanities, philosophy, or general education ethics requirement. Most schools cap the number of DSST or CLEP credits you can apply toward a degree, so confirm your school's policy before you start studying.
Ethics in America DSST / DANTES* vs. taking the class
A semester of ethics or introduction to philosophy runs several hundred dollars at a community college and well over a thousand at most universities. The DSST gets you the same 3 credit hours for $100, and it is free if you are active duty military.
| Exam fee | $100 (military free) |
| Typical tuition equivalent | $500–$3,000+ (one semester) |
| Credits earned | 3 semester hours (typical) |
| Time to prepare | 4–5 weeks self-study |
| GPA impact | None, pass/fail only |
| Failed attempt on transcript | No |
If you plan to take upper-level philosophy courses, a proper intro ethics class gives you more discussion time and deeper reading. For everyone else, the exam is the clear call. You get the credit, skip the tuition, and keep your GPA clean.
Happy testing!