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DSST® Study Guide
Printable PDF · 38 pages
DSST Business Ethics and Society Study Guide
Everything the DSST Business Ethics and Society exam tests, in one PDF you can print. Built from Prometric's official outline, heaviest topics first.
- 182 key terms, each with an example
- 45 practice questions with every answer explained
- A 2-page cram sheet for the night before
- 2-, 4- and 8-week study plans built from the exam weights
Last updated 2026 · exam details checked against Prometric's published exam information in 2026
Look inside the guide
Real pages from the 38-page PDF.
What you get for $5
One chapter for each official content area, in the order the exam weighs them.
- 📘38pages, printable
- 🧭8chapters, heaviest first
- 🔑182terms with examples
- ✍️45practice questions, answers explained
- ⚠️24exam traps to avoid
- 📄2page cram sheet
Try 10 free Business Ethics and Society questions
In the style of the real exam, from all 8 areas. About 10 minutes, with every answer explained and a score by area.
10 questions
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Question 1 · Employer-Employee Relations
A bookkeeper finds her company is hiding losses from investors. She first tells the company's audit committee, and when nothing happens, she contacts a federal regulator. Which description fits her second step?
Show the answer
Answer: A. External whistle-blowing. Going to a government regulator outside the company is external whistle-blowing.
The trap: Breach of confidentiality sounds plausible, but protected disclosure of wrongdoing to a regulator is a whistle-blowing act, not a simple breach.
Going to a government regulator outside the company is external whistle-blowing.
The trap: Breach of confidentiality sounds plausible, but protected disclosure of wrongdoing to a regulator is a whistle-blowing act, not a simple breach.
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Question 2 · Ethics of Information
A billboard for a hair salon reads, "Our stylists are the best in the entire world!" A competitor sues for deceptive advertising. The claim is most likely to be treated as
Show the answer
Answer: B. Puffery. Vague, exaggerated opinion that nobody takes as a measurable fact is puffery, which is generally legal.
The trap: Bait and switch needs a low-priced offer that the seller does not intend to honor, and no such offer appears here.
Vague, exaggerated opinion that nobody takes as a measurable fact is puffery, which is generally legal.
The trap: Bait and switch needs a low-priced offer that the seller does not intend to honor, and no such offer appears here.
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Question 3 · Business Ethics in a Global Economy
A U.S. clothing company discovers that a supplier in another country has been employing children and forcing overtime. The company says that it cannot be blamed because it does not own the factory. Which concept shows why that excuse is weak?
Show the answer
Answer: D. Supply chain responsibility. Companies are increasingly expected to see that their suppliers meet ethical standards, even factories they do not own. That is supply chain responsibility.
The trap: Cultural relativism is tempting, but it would excuse local practice, not hold the buyer accountable for its supplier.
Companies are increasingly expected to see that their suppliers meet ethical standards, even factories they do not own. That is supply chain responsibility.
The trap: Cultural relativism is tempting, but it would excuse local practice, not hold the buyer accountable for its supplier.
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Question 4 · Corporations and Stakeholders
A manager says, "My job is to use the company's resources to raise profits for the owners, while following the law. Charity is the owners' choice, not mine." Which view does she hold?
Show the answer
Answer: C. Shareholder theory. Limiting a manager's duty to raising owners' profit within the rules is shareholder theory.
The trap: Stakeholder theory is tempting because it also discusses social duties, but it would make her weigh all groups, not just owners.
Limiting a manager's duty to raising owners' profit within the rules is shareholder theory.
The trap: Stakeholder theory is tempting because it also discusses social duties, but it would make her weigh all groups, not just owners.
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Question 5 · Social Responsibilities of a Business
A mid-sized manufacturer is not required by any regulation to stop selling a cheap product that, though legal, is known to cause skin irritation. It withdraws the product anyway because selling it feels wrong. Which responsibility in Carroll's pyramid is it meeting?
Show the answer
Answer: B. Ethical. It acted because it was right, not because the law forced it or to give gifts. That is ethical responsibility.
The trap: Philanthropic is tempting because it sounds generous, but philanthropy means voluntary giving to society, not avoiding harm.
It acted because it was right, not because the law forced it or to give gifts. That is ethical responsibility.
The trap: Philanthropic is tempting because it sounds generous, but philanthropy means voluntary giving to society, not avoiding harm.
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Question 6 · Moral Philosophies and Business Ethics
A sales rep says, "I don't pad my expense reports because the company would fire me and I could be sued." Which best describes her moral reasoning?
Show the answer
Answer: D. Preconventional level. Her reason is fear of punishment. Right and wrong based on avoiding punishment is the preconventional level.
The trap: Conventional level is tempting because she mentions company rules, but her motive is personal punishment, not loyalty to the group's expectations.
Her reason is fear of punishment. Right and wrong based on avoiding punishment is the preconventional level.
The trap: Conventional level is tempting because she mentions company rules, but her motive is personal punishment, not loyalty to the group's expectations.
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Question 7 · Regulation of Business
A city's water agency has repeatedly approved rate increases requested by the private water companies it regulates, and its officials often take jobs with those companies. Which problem does this describe?
Show the answer
Answer: C. Regulatory capture. The agency serves the industry it is meant to oversee, which is regulatory capture.
The trap: Deregulation is tempting, but no rules were removed. The rules still exist and the agency simply favors the industry.
The agency serves the industry it is meant to oversee, which is regulatory capture.
The trap: Deregulation is tempting, but no rules were removed. The rules still exist and the agency simply favors the industry.
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Question 8 · The Importance of Business Ethics
A vice president learns in a closed meeting that her firm will be acquired next week at a high price. Before the news is public, she buys a large block of its stock. Her action is best described as
Show the answer
Answer: A. insider trading. She traded securities using important nonpublic information, which is insider trading.
The trap: Embezzlement is wrong because she did not steal funds entrusted to her; she misused secret information to trade.
She traded securities using important nonpublic information, which is insider trading.
The trap: Embezzlement is wrong because she did not steal funds entrusted to her; she misused secret information to trade.
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Question 9 · Employer-Employee Relations
A publicly traded company fires a financial analyst a week after she reported accounting irregularities to the board. Which law most directly protects her from retaliation for that report?
Show the answer
Answer: D. Sarbanes-Oxley Act. Sarbanes-Oxley protects employees of public companies who report possible fraud from retaliation, including reports made inside the company, such as to the board.
The trap: Taft-Hartley concerns union activity, not whistle-blowers who report fraud.
Sarbanes-Oxley protects employees of public companies who report possible fraud from retaliation, including reports made inside the company, such as to the board.
The trap: Taft-Hartley concerns union activity, not whistle-blowers who report fraud.
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Question 10 · Ethics of Information
A furniture store advertises a sofa for $199. When shoppers arrive, the salesperson says that sofa is "just sold out" and shows only $899 models, though the store never stocked the cheaper sofa. This is
Show the answer
Answer: B. bait and switch. The low price lured buyers into the store, and then the seller pushed a more expensive item. That is bait and switch.
The trap: Puffery is harmless exaggeration, while here a specific offer was made and never honored.
The low price lured buyers into the store, and then the seller pushed a more expensive item. That is bait and switch.
The trap: Puffery is harmless exaggeration, while here a specific offer was made and never honored.
The DSST Business Ethics and Society exam at a glance
The DSST Business Ethics and Society exam is a 120-minute, computer-based test from Prometric with about 100 multiple-choice questions. A score of 400 on the 200–500 scale earns an ACE credit recommendation of 3 semester hours, though each college sets its own policy. The exam covers 8 content areas; the heaviest is Employer-Employee Relations at 20%.
- Questions
- About 100multiple choice
- Time
- 120 minabout 72 seconds a question
- Passing score
- 400on a 200–500 scale
- ACE credit
- 3semester hours
- Exam fee
- $100paid to Prometric
- Calculator
- Nonot allowed
Source: official DSST Business Ethics and Society exam page.
What the exam covers
8 areas, heaviest first. The guide's chapters follow this order.
- Employer-Employee Relations20%
- Ethics of Information16%
- Business Ethics in a Global Economy16%
- Corporations and Stakeholders13%
- Social Responsibilities of a Business10%
- Moral Philosophies and Business Ethics9%
- Regulation of Business9%
- The Importance of Business Ethics7%
How it works
- 1Buy once, $5Secure checkout. No subscription needed.
- 2Download the PDFFrom your TransferCredit.org account, right away and any time later.
- 3Study the heaviest areas firstFollow the 2-, 4- or 8-week plan, then read the cram sheet the night before.
Questions students ask
What's in the full DSST Business Ethics and Society study guide?
38 pages: 8 chapters, one per official content area, heaviest first. 182 terms, each with a plain-English definition and an example, 18 key people, common traps and memory tricks, 45 practice questions with an answer key that explains every answer, question tactics, 2-, 4- and 8-week study plans and a 2-page cram sheet.
How much is the full DSST Business Ethics and Society study guide?
The full 38-page PDF is $5, a one-time payment. The 10 practice questions on this page are free, with no account.
What does the $29 plan include?
$29 a month gives you all DSST subjects: every DSST study guide plus the full prep course for each subject, and you can cancel anytime. If you only need this exam, the guide on its own is a one-time $5.
How do I get the full guide?
Choose Buy this guide ($5) and check out. Then sign in to your TransferCredit.org account, then open the course and its Download Your Study Guide lesson. The PDF is yours to keep, and you can download it again from your account at any time.
Can I print the guide or use it on my phone?
Yes. It's a PDF, so it opens on phones, tablets and computers, and printing is allowed. Its tick boxes and answer bubbles work in PDF readers that support forms. Copying and editing are turned off.
Is this an official DSST study guide?
No. DSST® is a registered trademark of Prometric, which was not involved in producing this guide and does not endorse it. TransferCredit.org is independent. We built the guide from the official exam outline, and the exam details were checked against Prometric's published exam information in 2026.
Why is this study guide better than a generic review?
It follows the official outline area by area and spends the most pages on what the exam weighs most. Every term comes with an example, each chapter names the traps the exam sets, and the answer key explains why the most tempting wrong answer is wrong, not just which answer is right. It ends with a 2-page cram sheet for the night before.
What is the DSST Business Ethics and Society exam?
The DSST Business Ethics and Society exam is a 120-minute, computer-based test from Prometric with about 100 multiple-choice questions. A score of 400 on the 200–500 scale earns an ACE credit recommendation of 3 semester hours, though each college sets its own policy. The exam covers 8 content areas; the heaviest is Employer-Employee Relations at 20%.
More questions about the DSST Business Ethics and Society exam (22)
How many questions are on the DSST Business Ethics and Society exam, and how long is it?
It contains 100 questions to be answered in 2 hours, all multiple choice with one correct answer and three incorrect options. Some questions are pretest questions that are not scored.
What is the passing score for DSST Business Ethics and Society?
The passing score is 400 on a 200–500 scale. At 400 or above, the American Council on Education (ACE) recommends 3 semester hours. Each college sets its own passing score and credit award, so check your school's policy before you book.
How much does the DSST Business Ethics and Society exam cost?
The exam fee is $100, paid to Prometric. Test centers may add their own administration fee. Eligible U.S. military service members can usually test for free through DANTES.
How many college credits is DSST Business Ethics and Society worth?
ACE recommends 3 semester hours for a passing score of 400. Your college decides how many credits it awards and which course they replace. Check your college's policy.
Can I use a calculator on the DSST Business Ethics and Society exam?
No. This exam doesn't allow a calculator.
Is there a penalty for guessing on DSST Business Ethics and Society?
No. Your score counts only correct answers, so a wrong answer costs nothing. Never leave a question blank: rule out what you can and pick your best guess.
What topics are on the DSST Business Ethics and Society exam?
8 content areas, from the official outline: Employer-Employee Relations (20%); Ethics of Information (16%); Business Ethics in a Global Economy (16%); Corporations and Stakeholders (13%); Social Responsibilities of a Business (10%); Moral Philosophies and Business Ethics (9%); Regulation of Business (9%); The Importance of Business Ethics (7%).
Which DSST Business Ethics and Society topics should I study first?
Start with the three heaviest: Employer-Employee Relations (20%), Ethics of Information (16%) and Business Ethics in a Global Economy (16%). Together they are about 52% of the exam, roughly 52 of 100 questions. The guide's chapters run in that order, heaviest first.
Is the DSST Business Ethics and Society exam hard?
It depends on what you already know. No single area dominates: the largest, Employer-Employee Relations, is 20% and the smallest, the Importance of Business Ethics, is 7%, so broad coverage matters more than deep expertise in one topic. Take the free diagnostic above to see where you stand in about 10 minutes.
What kinds of questions are on the DSST Business Ethics and Society exam?
The guide sorts them into 5 types: “Name the concept”, “Match the law or agency”, “Apply it to a case”, “Which view or theory” and “Best-justified action”. Every question has 4 answer choices. Try the 10 free questions above to see the style.
How long should I study for DSST Business Ethics and Society?
Use the diagnostic to decide. If you already know most areas, two weeks of daily review is often enough; if the subject is new to you, plan on eight. The full guide has 2-, 4- and 8-week plans built from the exam weights.
How should I pace myself on the DSST Business Ethics and Society exam?
On average you have about 72 seconds per question (120 minutes for 100 questions). Be past question 33 a third of the way through and past question 67 two-thirds through. If a question takes more than a minute, pick your best guess, mark it and come back.
What happens if I don't pass DSST Business Ethics and Society?
You can retake a DSST exam after 30 days. Use the wait to work through the areas the score report and the diagnostic show you missed.
Do colleges accept DSST Business Ethics and Society for credit?
DSST exams are accepted at more than 1,500 colleges and universities, but each school decides which exams it accepts, the score it requires and the credit it gives. Look up your college's DSST policy before you book.
How up to date is this DSST Business Ethics and Society guide?
Last updated 2026. The exam details were checked against Prometric's published exam information in 2026. Exams change, so confirm the details on the official exam page before you register.
What should I do the night before the exam?
Read the cram sheet once, slowly. Check your test time, the location or remote-proctoring setup, and the ID you need. Then sleep: a rested brain recalls more than a crammed one. In the morning, skim the memory tricks and common traps, then stop studying.
Does DSST Business Ethics cover philosophy?
Some. Moral philosophies are 9% of the exam: moral development, plus egoism, relativism, utilitarianism and related approaches. Most of the exam applies ethics to real business situations.
Which laws should I know for DSST Business Ethics and Society?
The official sample questions draw on the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, which bans bribing foreign officials but allows small facilitating payments to speed routine tasks; the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and False Claims Act, which protect whistle-blowers; and the WARN Act, which requires advance notice of mass layoffs. The outline also names trade frameworks such as the WTO and NAFTA.
Does DSST Business Ethics cover stakeholder theory?
Yes. Corporations and stakeholders is 13% of the exam and covers a company's relationships with stockholders, employees, consumers and the wider community. Know the contrast between the shareholder view, that a business's main duty is to earn profits for its owners, and the stakeholder view, that it owes duties to everyone its decisions affect.
Does DSST Business Ethics cover discrimination and sexual harassment?
Yes. Both fall under employer-employee relations, the largest area at 20%, along with whistle-blowing, affirmative action, workplace safety and labor relations. Know the EEOC's two categories of sexual harassment: quid pro quo and hostile work environment.
Does the exam cover privacy and cybersecurity?
Yes. Ethics of information is 16% of the exam and includes privacy, corporate espionage and cybersecurity, control of proprietary information, and IT regulation, along with marketing and advertising ethics.
Can I take DSST Business Ethics and Society online?
Yes. DSST exams can be taken at a test center or online with a remote Prometric proctor.
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DSST® is a registered trademark of Prometric, which was not involved in producing this guide and does not endorse it. TransferCredit.org is independent and not affiliated with Prometric. © 2026 UPI Globale Edu Inc.