DSST Dantes Master Booklist and
Study Guide Reference
Since the CLEP study guide reference was getting too long, I decided to break up the remaining DSST Dantes, ECE Excelsior College, and TECEP Thomas Edison Exam references onto seperate webpages.
Below you will find the DSST Dantes Study Guides and recommended textbooks.  The textbook, matched up with the content guide, is the most effective way to study for the exams.  Instantcert attempts to do this for you, so you only study what you need to know for the exams.  Every effort was made to find the least amount of references that would still enable you to pass the exams (minimum ACE-recommended score).  The content outline for each of the DSST Dantes exams is available as a full download in a zip file.

The content guides are highly recommended and should be reviewed before taking the exam.  They are free, and explain exactly the concepts that the test taker should focus on.  Many of them even include free sample questions.


This list is offered strictly on a 'not held' basis.  Read the disclaimer for more information.
DSST - Dantes Subject Standardized Tests*
Multi-DSST books
Get College Credit Dsst the Official Test-Preparation Guide; Chauncey Group
Sample questions, answers and explainations closely mirror what is on the actual exams.  Not the holy grail, but a great primer for first-time DSST takers.  Covers 8 exams in 1 book.
Book Title
Comments
Get Book / Study Guide
DSST Official Content Outlines All Exams download.
College Algebra; Richard N. Aufmann;  Vernon C. Barker;  Richard D. Nation
Also see the CLEP list of College Algebra-related study material. 
Book Title
Comments
Get Book / Study Guide
Algebra and Trigonometry Problem Solver: A Complete Solution Guide to Any Textbook; REA
Would attempt to use the REA books first, then get the more expensive textbook as needed.
Principles of Statistics
Modern Elementary Statistics, 11th;  Freund, John E
InstantCert covered the majority of the basic concepts and formulas that one would need to know to pass.  
Modern Elementary Statistics: Student Solution Manual 11th; Freund, John E.
Not available on Amazon.com yet...only Barnes and Noble
Mathematics
Fundamentals of College Algebra
Social Sciences
Art of the Western World
ART OF THE WESTERN WORLD: FROM ANCIENT GREECE TO POST MODERNISM; Bruce Cole
Probably the single best reference for the exam.  Never had to take it, though (Thank God).
Art of the Western World Study Guide; Andrew F. Stewart, Pearson Marvin Macek,  Adelheid Gealt, Irma B. Jaffe, Andrew Stewart, Wnet
Other textbooks that may be worth referencing
History of Art, Revised (Trade Version) (6th Edition); by Anthony F. Janson
Ditto
The Visual Arts: A History (6th Edition); Hugh Honour, John Fleming
Ditto
Modern European History; Birdsall S. Viault
I would like to hear back from users to see how good these books are for this test.
Western Europe since 1945
Rebirth: A Political History of Europe Since World War II; Cyril Edwin Black
Ditto
A Political History of Western Europe Since 1945 (5th Edition);  Derek W. Urwin
Ditto
Europe Since 1945; Mary Fulbrook
Ditto
Introduction to the Modern Middle East
A History of the Modern Middle East; William L. Cleveland
You already know how I feel about history-related exams.  InstantCert does have study material for this one, too.
Human Geography: Culture, Society, and  Space; H. J. de Blij;  Alexander B. Murphy
I would like to hear back from users to see how good these books are for this test.
Human/Cultural Geography
Ditto
Geography: Realms, Regions and Concepts, 10th Edition; H. J. de Blij; Peter O. Muller
Ditto
The Cultural Landscape:  An Introduction to Human Geography (8th Edition); by James M. Rubenstein
Ditto
Study Guide: Human Geography: Culture, Society, and  Space; H. J. de Blij;  Alexander B. Murphy
Introduction to Geography : People, Places, and Environment (3rd Edition);  Edward F. Bergman; William H. Renwick
Ditto
The Rise and Fall of the Soviet Union: 1917-1991 (Sources in History);  by Richard Sakwa
I would like to hear back from users to see how good these books are for this test.
Rise and Fall of the Soviet Union
Ditto
Economic History of the USSR, by Alec Nove
Ditto
The Rise and Fall of the Soviet Empire: Second Edition, Raymond Pearson
VIETNAM: Anthology and Guide to a Television History, by Steven Cohen
I would like to hear back from users to see how good these books are for this test.
A History of the Vietnam War
Ditto
Vietnam: A History by Stanley Karnow
Ditto
America's Longest War: The United States and Vietnam, 1950-1975  by George C Herring
Dispatches, by MICHAEL HERR
Ditto
Ordeal By Fire: The Civil War and Reconstruction, by James M. McPherson
This one should be the single best book reference to get.
The Civil War and Reconstruction
I would like to hear back from users to see how good these other books are for this test.
The Civil War: A Narrative--Fort Sumter to Perryville, by SHELBY FOOTE
Ditto
Ken Burn's the Civil War: Historians Respond, by Robert B. Toplin
Ditto
The Civil War Dictionary, by MARK BOATNER
The Civil War : An Illustrated History , by GEOFFREY C. WARD, RIC BURNS, KEN BURNS
Ditto
The Civil War (American Heritage Books), by Bruce Catton
Ditto
American Education with PowerWeb/OLC Card, by Joel Spring,
Any one of these textbook references should be adequate to pass the exams.  I had studied for this one using instantcert, but never took the exam.
Foundations of Education

Foundations of American Education, Fourth Edition by L. Dean Webb, Arlene Metha, K. Forbis Jordan


American Education: A History with the McGraw-Hill Foundations of Education Timeline by Wayne J Urban, Jennings L Wagoner
Foundations of Education: The Challenge of Professional Practice, Fourth Edition
by Robert F. McNergney, Joanne M. McNergney
Lifespan Developmental Psychology
Life Span Development, 9th by Santrock, John W.
Most of the Psychology-related exams are interrelated.  After you study for one or 2 thoroughly, the rest will come easy.  I got a "B" on the ECE version by only studying the instantcert's human growth/development and Cracking the GRE Psychology Princton Review booklet.
Anthropology (10th Edition) by Carol R. Ember, Melvin Ember, Peter N. Peregrine
Any one of these textbook references should be adequate to pass the exams. 
General Anthropology

053463902X Introduction to Physical Anthropology by Robert Jurmain, Lynn Kilgore, Wenda Trevathan
Drug and Alcohol Abuse
Drugs, Society, and Human Behavior, 10th by Ray, Oakley; Ksir, Charles
Actually, I crammed for this one (not recommended) and barely passed, despite the fact that I felt I knew the answers of just about all the questions.
Introduction to Law Enforcement
The Police in America: An Introduction, 4th by Walker, Samuel; Katz, Charles
Didn't actually take this one, only Criminal Justice.  Study for both exams together, as the concepts for both overlap each other.
Criminal Justice
Introduction to Criminal Justice, 6th by Anderson, Patrick R.; Newman, Donald J.
Fairly simple exam, after using instantcert's materials.  Study for both Criminal Justice and Intro to Law Enforcement together.
Fundamentals of Counseling
Introduction to the Profession of Counseling, 3rd by Nugent, Frank A.
Never had to take this one, but seems very basic in nature, like most of the other psychology-based social sciences.
Business
Principles of Finance
Foundations of Financial Management, 10th by Block, Stanley; Hirt, Geoffrey
Suppliment with instantcert's Accounting guide, use iStudySmart, and/or suppliment with this textbook.  The instantcert guide for finance is slightly below average for this exam.
Principles of Financial Accounting
Financial Accounting: Reporting and Analysis by Earl Kay Stice; James Stice;  Michael Diamond
Taking the clep version instead is highly encouraged (6 credits vs 3).  Reference the study guide/textbook for the clep version as well to save some money.
Human Resource Management
Human Resource Management, 5th by Fisher, Cynthia; Schoenfeldt, Lyle; Shaw, James
Took the ECE version, which was very basic and common sensical.  The ECE version is rated upper-level.  Barely studied for it and at the time there was no instantcert guide (now there is).
Organizational Behavior
Organizations: Behavior, Structure, Processes, 10th by Gibson, James; Ivancevich, John M.; Donnelly, James H., Jr.
Used instantcert's materials and took DSST and ECE version on the same day.  Got awesome scores on both.
Principles of Supervision
Supervision: Concepts and Skill-Building, 4th by Certo, Samuel C.
Cut a decent score on this one, too, using only instantcert.
Business Law II
Smith and Roberson's Business Law, by Richard A. Mann; Barry S. Roberts
I failed this one miserably, without studying whatsoever.  Strongly recommend at least the textbook, or iStudySmart to study for it.
Study Guide for Smith and Roberson's Business Law, 12th Edition, by Peter T. Kahn

Law For Business, 8th by Barnes, A. James; Dworkin, Terry Morehead;  Richards, Eric
Either this one or Smith and Robersons text should be adequate enough to study for the exam.
Introduction to Computing
Computers: Information Technology in Perspective; 12th by Long, Larry / Long, Nancy
I took this one long before I even knew about instantcert.  But for those that are new to computers, instantcert should be adequate enough.  Or use the same study text for CLEP/DSST info systems.
Introduction to Business
Business, 8th by Pride, William M.; Hughes, Robert J.; Kapoor, Jack R.
Also took this one before I knew about instantcert.  Again, very basic in business concepts.  Use the Official DSST study guide as a cheaper review.
Money and Banking
Money, Banking, and the Economy, 6th by Mayer, Thomas; Duesenberry James S.; Aliber, Robert
Barely passed this one with minimal studying.  Would recommend the textbook or iStudySmart guide until instantcert finishes their guide.
Management Information Systems
Computers: Information Technology in Perspective, 12th by Long, Larry / Long, Nancy
See CLEP Info Systems study materials for more comparable reference material.   Found the instantcert CLEP guide better for the DSST version and vice versa.
Management Information Systems, Eighth Edition, by Kenneth C. Laudon; Jane P. Laudon
Would recommend the above text first.
Business Mathematics
Business Mathematics: The Easy Way (Business Mathematics the Easy Way), by Calman Goozner
Use either the DSST Official Study Guide and/or instantcert's college mathematics for a quick review.
Business Mathematics: A Collegiate Approach (8th Edition), by Nelda W. Roueche, Virginia H. Graves
ditto
Physical Science
Astronomy
Astronomy: From the Earth to the Universe (w/CD), by Jay M.  Pasachoff
Hopefully iStudySmart or instantcert will come out with their own guides for this area.  Curious to see how others have done.
Physical Universe: An Introduction to Astronomy by Frank H. Shu
ditto
Here's to Your Health
Access To Health, 8th by Donatelle, Rebecca
A lot of people said this was "easy,"  So I didn't study for it.  It was fairly basic, but I didn't score as high as I wanted to.
Personal Finance
Personal Finance, 7th by Kapoor, Jack; Dlabay, Les; Hughes, Robert
The very first credit-by-exam I ever took, which was back in 'A' school. No studying whatsoever.  Thought I failed, but ended up getting a 56 on it.
Environment and Humanity: The Race to Save the Planet
Environmental Science: Toward A Sustainable Future, 8th by Wright, Richard T.; Nebel, Bernard J.
I failed this one by 1 point; no studying.  I was told it was "easy."  This is when I first realized I would need study material for future exams.
The Physical Universe, by Konrad B Krauskopf; Arthur Beiser
The test covers 2 subjects: chemestry and physics.  Select at least 1 physics book and 1 chemistry book to study.
Principles of Physical Science I

REA's Chemistry Problem Solver; REA


College Physics, Seventh Edition
by Francis W. Sears; Mark W. Zemansky; Hugh D. Young
Chemistry: The Central Science (w/cd), by Theodore L. Brown; H. Eugene Lemay Jr.; Bruce Edward Bursten; Julia R. Burdge
Chemistry: A conceptual approach, by Charles E Mortimer

Earth:  An Introduction to Physical Geology (8th Edition), by Edward J. Tarbuck;  Frederick K Lutgens; Dennis Tasa
Any one of these textbook references should be adequate to pass the exams.
Physical Geology

Essentials of Geology (8th Edition), by Frederick K. Lutgens; Edward J. Tarbuck;  Dennis Tasa

The Dynamic Earth:  An Introduction to Physical Geology,
by Brian J. Skinner; Stephen C. Porter
Applied Technology
Technical Writing
Technical Writing, 5th by Pfeiffer, William Sanborn
Test shouldn't be too hard, as long as you get the basic concepts down.
Humanities
Ethics in America
Basic Moral Philosophy, 3rd by Holmes, Robert
Passed both the DSST and ECE versions of this test.  Instantcert covers DSST version well, but would recommend additional text for the ECE version.
Morality and Moral Controversies 4th, by Arthur, John
ditto
Introduction to World Religions
Introducing Religion:  From Inside and Outside, 3rd by Ellwood, Robert S.
Started to study the instantcert guide for this one, but never got a chance to actually take the exam.
The Speaker's Handbook (w/CD), by Jo Sprague
Any one of these books should be adequate enough to pass this exam.  A lot of people have said this exam is very easy.  For the speech part, talk clearly and concisely for the full 5 minutes (or however long the speech is supposed to be).  Make sure you cover all points you are supposed to.  Whatever you do, say something (dont leave the tape 'blank')!
Principles of Public Speaking
The Elements of Public Speaking (7th Edition), by Joseph A. Devito


The Art of Public Speaking (w/CD), by Stephen E Lucas
The Challenge of Effective Speaking, 12th Edition, by Rudolph F. Verderber;  Kathleen S. Verderber
The Elements of Speechwriting and Public Speaking by Jeff Scott Cook

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ECE Excelsior College Study Guides / Recommended Textbooks > >
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Due to space considerations, the CLEP, ECE, and TECEP study guide reference materials have been placed on seperate pages, linked below....
**Coming Soon:

This list is offered strictly on a 'not held' basis.  Read the disclaimer for more information.

Do you think you have a better reference for the exams?  Leave feedback. 
Additional tips for using the textbooks:

- Always attempt to get the newest edition.  It's easier to get rid of a newer edition of a book than an older edition.  It once you've finished studying and have passed the exam, you can easily sell it on Amazon.com or whereever.

- Try to get a 'used' copy of the book.  Lots of college students, private sellers, and book collectors re-sell their books on Amazon.com's marketplace.  You can usually get a book in an acceptable condition or better for up to 80% of the cover price. 
Highly Recommended. And free :)
Study for the exams:
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