$5one-time
- 35-page printable PDF
- 182 terms with examples
- 40 practice questions, answers explained
- 2-page cram sheet and study plans
← All study guides
DSST® Study Guide
Printable PDF · 35 pages
DSST Criminal Justice Study Guide
Everything the DSST Criminal Justice exam tests, in one PDF you can print. Built from Prometric's official outline, heaviest topics first.
- 182 key terms, each with an example
- 40 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 35-page PDF.
What you get for $5
One chapter for each official content area, in the order the exam weighs them.
- 📘35pages, printable
- 🧭5chapters, heaviest first
- 🔑182terms with examples
- ✍️40practice questions, answers explained
- ⚠️15exam traps to avoid
- 📄2page cram sheet
Try 10 free Criminal Justice questions
In the style of the real exam, from all 5 areas. About 10 minutes, with every answer explained and a score by area.
10 questions
-
Question 1 · Criminal Justice System
Police search a suspect's apartment without a warrant or any exception, and find stolen jewelry. A judge refuses to let prosecutors show the jewelry at trial. Which rule did the judge apply?
Show the answer
Answer: C. The exclusionary rule. The exclusionary rule keeps evidence gathered in violation of constitutional rights out of the trial. Mapp v. Ohio (1961) applied it to the states.
The trap: Double jeopardy is tempting because it is a Fifth Amendment protection, but it bars a second prosecution and does not affect evidence.
The exclusionary rule keeps evidence gathered in violation of constitutional rights out of the trial. Mapp v. Ohio (1961) applied it to the states.
The trap: Double jeopardy is tempting because it is a Fifth Amendment protection, but it bars a second prosecution and does not affect evidence.
-
Question 2 · Law Enforcement
An officer watches a man walk past a closed jewelry store six times, peer in and confer with two others. The officer stops him and pats down his jacket for weapons. What legal standard justified the stop?
Show the answer
Answer: D. Reasonable suspicion. Terry v. Ohio allows a brief stop and frisk on specific facts suggesting crime may be happening, which is reasonable suspicion.
The trap: Probable cause is tempting, but it is the higher standard for arrests and warrants, not for a brief stop.
Terry v. Ohio allows a brief stop and frisk on specific facts suggesting crime may be happening, which is reasonable suspicion.
The trap: Probable cause is tempting, but it is the higher standard for arrests and warrants, not for a brief stop.
-
Question 3 · Court System
In 1803 the Supreme Court refused to enforce part of a federal law because it conflicted with the Constitution. Which decision, and which power, does this describe?
Show the answer
Answer: A. Marbury v. Madison, establishing judicial review. Marbury v. Madison (1803) established the Supreme Court's power of judicial review, the power to strike down laws that violate the Constitution.
The trap: Gideon v. Wainwright is a landmark case, but it was decided in 1963 and concerns the right to a lawyer, not review of laws.
Marbury v. Madison (1803) established the Supreme Court's power of judicial review, the power to strike down laws that violate the Constitution.
The trap: Gideon v. Wainwright is a landmark case, but it was decided in 1963 and concerns the right to a lawyer, not review of laws.
-
Question 4 · Corrections
In a 19th-century prison, each inmate eats, works at a craft and sleeps in his own cell and never meets other prisoners. Which model is this?
Show the answer
Answer: B. Pennsylvania system. Round-the-clock solitary confinement, with work done alone in the cell, defines the Pennsylvania (separate) system.
The trap: The Auburn system also used single cells and silence, but its inmates worked together in shops by day.
Round-the-clock solitary confinement, with work done alone in the cell, defines the Pennsylvania (separate) system.
The trap: The Auburn system also used single cells and silence, but its inmates worked together in shops by day.
-
Question 5 · Criminal Behavior
A man carries home a bicycle he found chained to a fence, honestly believing it had been abandoned. Which element of a crime is most clearly missing?
Show the answer
Answer: B. Mens rea, because he had no guilty intent. He did take the bicycle, so the act exists. His honest belief that it was abandoned means he lacked the guilty mind needed for theft.
The trap: Actus reus is tempting, but he did physically carry the bicycle away. What is missing is the intent.
He did take the bicycle, so the act exists. His honest belief that it was abandoned means he lacked the guilty mind needed for theft.
The trap: Actus reus is tempting, but he did physically carry the bicycle away. What is missing is the intent.
-
Question 6 · Criminal Justice System
A trial judge is asked whether a type of confession is admissible. Instead of deciding the question anew, she follows how a higher court ruled on the same issue last year. Which principle is she applying?
Show the answer
Answer: C. Stare decisis. Stare decisis means courts follow earlier decisions on the same legal issue, which keeps the law consistent and predictable.
The trap: Judicial review is tempting because it also involves a court weighing earlier law, but it is the power to strike down unconstitutional laws, not a duty to follow past rulings.
Stare decisis means courts follow earlier decisions on the same legal issue, which keeps the law consistent and predictable.
The trap: Judicial review is tempting because it also involves a court weighing earlier law, but it is the power to strike down unconstitutional laws, not a duty to follow past rulings.
-
Question 7 · Law Enforcement
In the 1950s a city police department stresses crime fighting, rapid response in radio-equipped patrol cars, strict chains of command and little contact with local politicians. Which era does this describe?
Show the answer
Answer: D. Professional (reform) era. Training, crime fighting, centralized management and independence from politicians mark the professional era.
The trap: The political era is wrong because police in that era were tied to local party bosses.
Training, crime fighting, centralized management and independence from politicians mark the professional era.
The trap: The political era is wrong because police in that era were tied to local party bosses.
-
Question 8 · Court System
A convicted defendant petitions the U.S. Supreme Court to hear his case, and the Court agrees. Which order does the Court issue to bring the case up for review?
Show the answer
Answer: A. A writ of certiorari. A writ of certiorari is the order by which a higher court agrees to review a lower court's decision, and it is how the Supreme Court takes most of its cases.
The trap: A writ of habeas corpus is tempting because it is also a writ, but it tests whether a person's detention is lawful. It is not how the Court agrees to review a lower court's decision.
A writ of certiorari is the order by which a higher court agrees to review a lower court's decision, and it is how the Supreme Court takes most of its cases.
The trap: A writ of habeas corpus is tempting because it is also a writ, but it tests whether a person's detention is lawful. It is not how the Court agrees to review a lower court's decision.
-
Question 9 · Corrections
A judge gives a bank embezzler a long sentence, saying the penalty must send a message that discourages other bank employees from stealing. Which aim of punishment is the judge stressing?
Show the answer
Answer: B. General deterrence. Punishing one offender to discourage the public from similar crimes is general deterrence.
The trap: Specific deterrence also aims to prevent crime, but it targets the embezzler himself, not other employees.
Punishing one offender to discourage the public from similar crimes is general deterrence.
The trap: Specific deterrence also aims to prevent crime, but it targets the embezzler himself, not other employees.
-
Question 10 · Criminal Behavior
Researchers want to learn how many households experienced a burglary last year, including those that never called police. Which source fits best?
Show the answer
Answer: D. National Crime Victimization Survey. The NCVS interviews households about victimization whether or not police were told, so it reaches crimes outside police records.
The trap: The UCR is the usual choice for crime statistics, but it counts only offenses known to police.
The NCVS interviews households about victimization whether or not police were told, so it reaches crimes outside police records.
The trap: The UCR is the usual choice for crime statistics, but it counts only offenses known to police.
The DSST Criminal Justice exam at a glance
The DSST Criminal Justice 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 5 content areas; the heaviest is Criminal Justice System at 25%.
- 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
What the exam covers
5 areas, heaviest first. The guide's chapters follow this order.
- Criminal Justice System25%
- Law Enforcement20%
- Court System20%
- Corrections20%
- Criminal Behavior15%
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 Criminal Justice study guide?
35 pages: 5 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, 40 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 Criminal Justice study guide?
The full 35-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 Criminal Justice exam?
The DSST Criminal Justice 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 5 content areas; the heaviest is Criminal Justice System at 25%.
More questions about the DSST Criminal Justice exam (21)
How many questions are on the DSST Criminal Justice exam, and how long is it?
It has 100 questions to be answered in 2 hours.
What is the passing score for DSST Criminal Justice?
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 Criminal Justice 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 Criminal Justice 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.
Is there a penalty for guessing on DSST Criminal Justice?
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 Criminal Justice exam?
5 content areas, from the official outline: Criminal Justice System (25%); Law Enforcement (20%); Court System (20%); Corrections (20%); Criminal Behavior (15%).
Which DSST Criminal Justice topics should I study first?
Start with the three heaviest: Criminal Justice System (25%), Law Enforcement (20%) and Court System (20%). Together they are about 65% of the exam, roughly 65 of 100 questions. The guide's chapters run in that order, heaviest first.
Is the DSST Criminal Justice exam hard?
It depends on what you already know. No single area dominates: the largest, Criminal Justice System, is 25% and the smallest, Criminal Behavior, is 15%, 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 Criminal Justice exam?
The guide sorts them into 5 types: “Fill in the concept”, “Name the scenario”, “Match the case or law”, “Compare agencies, systems or institutions” and “Theory or philosophy attribution”. Every question has 4 answer choices. Try the 10 free questions above to see the style.
How long should I study for DSST Criminal Justice?
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 Criminal Justice 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 Criminal Justice?
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 Criminal Justice 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 Criminal Justice 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.
How is DSST Criminal Justice different from Introduction to Law Enforcement?
Criminal Justice covers the whole system — crime, police, courts and corrections. Introduction to Law Enforcement goes deeper into policing alone. They're separate DSST exams.
What should I know about the crime control and due process models for DSST Criminal Justice?
Both come from Herbert Packer. The crime control model stresses efficiency and speed in repressing crime, like an assembly line, while the due process model stresses protecting individual rights and limiting government power, like an obstacle course. They're part of the Criminal Justice System area, the largest on the exam at 25%.
Which philosophies of punishment are on DSST Criminal Justice?
The outline lists five: retribution (punishment deserved for the offense), deterrence (discouraging the offender and others from crime), incapacitation (removing the ability to offend, as by imprisonment), rehabilitation (changing the offender's behavior) and restoration (repairing harm to victims and the community). They fall under Corrections, 20% of the exam.
What's the difference between the UCR and the NCVS on DSST Criminal Justice?
The FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program compiles crimes reported to law enforcement, while the National Crime Victimization Survey asks a national sample of households about crimes they experienced, including ones never reported to police. Both fall under measuring crime in the Criminal Behavior area (15%).
Does DSST Criminal Justice cover juvenile justice?
Yes. Juvenile delinquency is part of criminal behavior, juvenile courts and waiver are part of the court system, and juvenile correctional facilities are part of corrections.
Can I take DSST Criminal Justice online?
Yes. DSST exams can be taken at a test center or online with a remote Prometric proctor.
Choose how you want to study
Start with the guide, or get everything for DSST in one plan.
$29/month
- Every DSST study guide
- Prep courses for all DSST subjects
- Cancel anytime
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.