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Key Facts: DSST Fundamentals of College Algebra Exam

100

questions on the official fact sheet

GetCollegeCredit DSST Fundamentals of College Algebra fact sheet

2 hours

official time limit

GetCollegeCredit DSST Fundamentals of College Algebra fact sheet

400

minimum score for ACE-recommended credit

GetCollegeCredit DSST Fundamentals of College Algebra page and fact sheet

47%

weight of Equations and Inequalities

DSST Fundamentals of College Algebra fact sheet

32%

weight of Properties of Functions and their Graphs

DSST Fundamentals of College Algebra fact sheet

$100

DSST exam fee before site administrative fees

GetCollegeCredit DSST Questions and Answers

3

lower-level baccalaureate semester hours recommended by ACE

DSST Fundamentals of College Algebra fact sheet

DSST Fundamentals of College Algebra is a current Prometric DSST Math exam listed by GetCollegeCredit and DANTES. The official DSST fact sheet lists 100 multiple-choice questions in 2 hours, permits a non-programmable calculator, and assigns the largest share of the outline to Equations and Inequalities at 47%, followed by Properties of Functions and their Graphs at 32%, Fundamental Algebraic Operations at 16%, and Complex Numbers at 5%. The minimum score for the ACE credit recommendation is 400 for 3 lower-level baccalaureate semester hours.

Sample DSST Fundamentals of College Algebra Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the DSST Fundamentals of College Algebra exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Simplify 3(2x - 5) - 2(x + 4).
A.4x - 23
B.4x - 7
C.8x - 23
D.6x - 13
Explanation: Distribute first: 3(2x - 5) = 6x - 15 and -2(x + 4) = -2x - 8. Combining like terms gives 4x - 23.
2Expand (x + 4)(x - 7).
A.x^2 - 3x - 28
B.x^2 + 3x - 28
C.x^2 - 11x + 28
D.x^2 - 28
Explanation: Use the distributive property: x^2 - 7x + 4x - 28. The middle terms combine to -3x, so the product is x^2 - 3x - 28.
3Simplify (5x^2y^3)/(10xy), assuming x and y are nonzero.
A.(1/2)xy^2
B.2xy^2
C.(1/2)x^2y^3
D.5xy^2
Explanation: Reduce the coefficient 5/10 to 1/2. Then subtract exponents for matching bases: x^2/x = x and y^3/y = y^2.
4Which expression is equivalent to (2a - 3)^2?
A.4a^2 - 9
B.4a^2 - 6a + 9
C.4a^2 - 12a + 9
D.2a^2 - 12a + 9
Explanation: Square the binomial as (2a)^2 - 2(2a)(3) + 3^2. That gives 4a^2 - 12a + 9.
5Factor x^2 - 9x + 20.
A.(x - 2)(x - 10)
B.(x - 4)(x - 5)
C.(x + 4)(x + 5)
D.(x - 1)(x - 20)
Explanation: Find two numbers that multiply to 20 and add to -9. The pair is -4 and -5, so the factorization is (x - 4)(x - 5).
6Factor 9m^2 - 25 completely.
A.(3m - 5)(3m + 5)
B.(9m - 5)(m + 5)
C.(3m - 25)(3m + 1)
D.(9m - 25)(m + 1)
Explanation: This is a difference of squares: 9m^2 = (3m)^2 and 25 = 5^2. Therefore 9m^2 - 25 factors as (3m - 5)(3m + 5).
7Simplify (x^2 - 16)/(x^2 + 5x + 4), assuming the expression is defined.
A.(x - 4)/(x + 1)
B.(x + 4)/(x + 1)
C.(x - 4)/(x + 4)
D.(x + 4)/(x - 1)
Explanation: Factor the numerator as (x - 4)(x + 4) and the denominator as (x + 1)(x + 4). Cancel the common factor x + 4 to get (x - 4)/(x + 1).
8Simplify ((x^2 - 1)/(x^2 - 4x + 3))((x - 3)/(x + 1)), assuming all expressions are defined.
A.1
B.(x + 1)/(x - 3)
C.(x - 1)/(x + 1)
D.(x - 3)/(x - 1)
Explanation: Factor x^2 - 1 as (x - 1)(x + 1) and x^2 - 4x + 3 as (x - 1)(x - 3). All factors cancel, leaving 1 for allowed values of x.
9Simplify x^-3 x^5, assuming x is nonzero.
A.x^-15
B.x^-2
C.x^2
D.x^8
Explanation: When multiplying powers with the same base, add exponents. The exponent is -3 + 5 = 2, so the result is x^2.
10Simplify (27a^6)^(1/3).
A.3a^2
B.9a^2
C.3a^3
D.27a^2
Explanation: A power of 1/3 means cube root. The cube root of 27 is 3, and (a^6)^(1/3) = a^2.

About the DSST Fundamentals of College Algebra Exam

DSST Fundamentals of College Algebra is a Prometric-administered credit-by-exam covering complex numbers, fundamental algebraic operations, equations and inequalities, and properties of functions and their graphs. The official fact sheet lists 100 questions in a 2-hour testing window, a non-programmable calculator policy, and an ACE-recommended minimum score of 400 for 3 lower-level baccalaureate semester hours. Colleges set their own DSST credit policies, so candidates should confirm acceptance with their institution before testing.

Exam sponsor: Prometric DSST. The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Assessment

Multiple-choice exam; the official fact sheet says all test questions are multiple-choice with one correct answer and three incorrect options.

Time Limit

2 hours

Passing Score

400 minimum score for ACE-recommended credit

Exam / Certification Fees

$100 test fee; testing-site administrative fees may vary

Exam sponsor website

Reported exam pass rate: No current general-public pass rate is published by GetCollegeCredit, Prometric, or DANTES for this exam. DANTES and Prometric publish scheduling, funding, and retest policies, but the current official exam page and fact sheet do not publish a current general-public pass rate. Exam sponsor website

Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.

Our practice resources: topics covered

We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.

16%

Fundamental Algebraic Operations

Algebraic expressions, polynomials including factoring and expanding polynomials, rational expressions, rational exponents, and nth roots.

5%

Complex Numbers

Conjugates of complex numbers and basic operations with complex numbers.

47%

Equations and Inequalities

Linear equations and inequalities, quadratic equations and inequalities including quadratic forms, absolute value equations and inequalities, systems of linear equations and inequalities, exponential and logarithmic equations, and equations involving radicals.

32%

Properties of Functions and their Graphs

Coordinate systems, domain and range, operations of functions, inverse functions, linear functions, quadratic functions, polynomial functions including long and synthetic division, rational functions, and exponential and logarithmic functions.

Preparing for the DSST Fundamentals of College Algebra Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: 400 minimum score for ACE-recommended credit
  • Assessment: Multiple-choice exam; the official fact sheet says all test questions are multiple-choice with one correct answer and three incorrect options.
  • Time limit: 2 hours
  • Exam / certification fees: $100 test fee; testing-site administrative fees may vary Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

  • Work through all 100 available questions
  • Review every answer and explanation
  • Track weak areas and revisit them
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

DSST Fundamentals of College Algebra: Suggested Study Strategy

1Prioritize equations and inequalities because the official outline assigns that section 47% of the exam.
2Practice domain, range, inverse functions, function operations, graph interpretation, and asymptotes because functions and graphs make up 32% of the outline.
3Review factoring, rational expressions, and exponent rules before heavier equation work; those algebraic operations support many higher-weighted topics.
4Do not skip complex numbers, even though they are only 5%; conjugates and basic operations are compact topics that are easy to review.
5Use a non-programmable calculator during practice so your workflow matches the official calculator policy.
6Confirm your school's DSST credit policy and required score before scheduling or paying for the exam.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is DSST Fundamentals of College Algebra a current DSST exam?

Yes. GetCollegeCredit has an active DSST Fundamentals of College Algebra exam page, and DANTES lists Fundamentals of College Algebra under current DSST Math exam subjects.

How many questions are on DSST Fundamentals of College Algebra?

The official DSST Fundamentals of College Algebra fact sheet states that the exam contains 100 questions to be answered in 2 hours.

What score do I need on DSST Fundamentals of College Algebra?

The official exam page and fact sheet list a minimum score of 400 for the ACE credit recommendation of 3 lower-level baccalaureate semester hours. Individual institutions decide whether to award credit and may set their own requirements.

Can I use a calculator on DSST Fundamentals of College Algebra?

Yes. The official DSST exam page says a nonprogrammable calculator is permitted, and the official fact sheet says the use of a non-programmable calculator is permitted.

How much does DSST Fundamentals of College Algebra cost?

The DSST questions-and-answers page lists a $100 test fee per DSST exam and states that testing-site administrative costs are not included. DANTES funds eligible first attempts for eligible military test takers.

Is DSST Fundamentals of College Algebra available remotely?

Prometric lists remote and test-center scheduling for College Student (DSST) exams, with Principles of Public Speaking identified as the remote-testing exception. Test takers should confirm current availability when scheduling through Prometric.