The DSST (DANTES Subject Standardized Tests) exam in Human Resource Management is designed to assess the knowledge equivalent to that of a student who has completed a lower-level college course in human resource management. This multiple-choice exam offers a comprehensive evaluation of a candidate's understanding and knowledge across various key areas of human resource management. Below is a detailed breakdown of the exam content and structure, credit recommendations, and the significance of each content area covered in the examination.

Exam Information

• Objective: To enable schools to award credit for knowledge equivalent to a lower-level college course in human resource management.

• Format: Multiple-choice exam.

• Number of Questions: 100.

• Duration: 2 hours.

• Form Codes: SS530, ST530, SY530, SZ530.

Credit Recommendations

• Evaluating Body: The American Council on Education’s College Credit Recommendation Service (ACE CREDIT).

• Course Equivalent: Human Resource Management.

• Level: Lower-level baccalaureate.

• Credit Amount: 3 Semester Hours.

• Minimum Score for Credit: 400.

• Source: www.acenet.edu.

Exam Content Outline

The exam is structured around several core areas of human resource management, each carrying a certain percentage weight of the total exam.

I. Overview of the Human Resource Management Field – 8%

• Historical development, functions, role and qualifications of HR managers, and ethical aspects of decision-making.

II. Human Resource Planning – 9%

• Strategic HR issues, workforce diversity and inclusion, job analysis, and job design.

III. Staffing / Talent Acquisition – 11%

• Recruitment, selection, promotions, transfers, reduction-in-force, voluntary turnover, retirement, and succession planning.

IV. Training and Development – 9%

• Onboarding, career planning, principles of learning, training and development programs and methods.

V. Performance Management (Appraisals) – 12%

• Reasons for performance evaluation, techniques, and challenges.

VI. Compensation and Benefits / Total Rewards – 12%

• Job evaluation, wage and salary administration, compensation systems, and benefits.

VII. Safety and Health – 12%

• Occupational accidents and illness, quality of work life, workplace security, and employer responsibility.

VIII. Employment Law – 12%

• Equal employment opportunity laws, compensation and benefits-related laws, health, safety, and employee rights laws.

IX. Labor Relations – 10%

• The role of labor unions, labor laws, collective bargaining, unionized versus non-unionized work settings, and contract management.

X. Current Issues and Trends – 5%

• Human resource information systems, changing patterns of work relationships, the global HR environment, social media, corporate social responsibility, and sustainability.

Significance of the DSST Human Resource Management Exam

The DSST Human Resource Management exam allows students to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding in a wide range of human resource topics. Successfully passing this exam can lead to college credit, which can accelerate a student's progress towards their degree and potentially save on tuition costs. The exam's comprehensive content ensures that candidates have a well-rounded understanding of human resource management, preparing them for careers in this field or further specialized study.