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- 33-page printable PDF
- 180 terms with examples
- 41 practice questions, answers explained
- 2-page cram sheet and study plans
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DSST® Study Guide
Printable PDF · 33 pages
DSST Introduction to Geology Study Guide
Everything the DSST Introduction to Geology exam tests, in one PDF you can print. Built from Prometric's official outline, heaviest topics first.
- 180 key terms, each with an example
- 41 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 33-page PDF.
What you get for $5
One chapter for each official content area, in the order the exam weighs them.
- 📘33pages, printable
- 🧭4chapters, heaviest first
- 🔑180terms with examples
- ✍️41practice questions, answers explained
- ⚠️12exam traps to avoid
- 📄2page cram sheet
Try 10 free Introduction to Geology questions
In the style of the real exam, from all 4 areas. About 10 minutes, with every answer explained and a score by area.
10 questions
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Question 1 · Core Knowledge
A geologist finds a dark rock made of crystals too small to see without a microscope, collected from a recent lava flow. Which rock is most likely?
Show the answer
Answer: D. Basalt. Fine crystals and a lava-flow setting mean quick cooling at the surface. A dark, fine-grained extrusive rock is basalt.
The trap: Gabbro has the same dark composition, but it is coarse-grained because it cooled slowly underground.
Fine crystals and a lava-flow setting mean quick cooling at the surface. A dark, fine-grained extrusive rock is basalt.
The trap: Gabbro has the same dark composition, but it is coarse-grained because it cooled slowly underground.
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Question 2 · Surface Processes
A granite outcrop high in the Rockies is split by cracks, with angular blocks piled at its base. In summer, meltwater seeps into the cracks by day, and at night the temperature drops below freezing. Which process is breaking the rock?
Show the answer
Answer: B. Frost wedging. Water that freezes in cracks expands by about 9 percent and pries the rock apart, leaving angular fragments. This is frost wedging.
The trap: Exfoliation is tempting for granite, but it peels off curved sheets as pressure is released, with no freeze-thaw cycle involved.
Water that freezes in cracks expands by about 9 percent and pries the rock apart, leaving angular fragments. This is frost wedging.
The trap: Exfoliation is tempting for granite, but it peels off curved sheets as pressure is released, with no freeze-thaw cycle involved.
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Question 3 · Tectonic Earth Processes
A dike of basalt cuts vertically through three horizontal sandstone beds. Which statement about relative age is correct?
Show the answer
Answer: C. The dike is younger than all three of the sandstone beds. A feature that cuts through rock must be younger than the rock it cuts, by the principle of cross-cutting relationships.
The trap: Calling the dike older than the lowest bed misapplies superposition, which ranks stacked layers, not an intrusion that cuts across them.
A feature that cuts through rock must be younger than the rock it cuts, by the principle of cross-cutting relationships.
The trap: Calling the dike older than the lowest bed misapplies superposition, which ranks stacked layers, not an intrusion that cuts across them.
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Question 4 · Applications
Prospectors find gold flakes in the gravel bars of a mountain stream, kilometers downstream from any gold-bearing bedrock. What type of deposit are they working?
Show the answer
Answer: A. A placer deposit. Gold eroded from distant bedrock is so dense that it settles out where the stream slows, collecting in the gravel bars. Such water-sorted concentrations are placer deposits.
The trap: Gold does form in hydrothermal quartz veins, but those lie in bedrock. Flakes collected in stream gravel far from any bedrock source make a placer.
Gold eroded from distant bedrock is so dense that it settles out where the stream slows, collecting in the gravel bars. Such water-sorted concentrations are placer deposits.
The trap: Gold does form in hydrothermal quartz veins, but those lie in bedrock. Flakes collected in stream gravel far from any bedrock source make a placer.
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Question 5 · Core Knowledge
A student scratches a pale mineral with a steel nail and finds that it is easily scratched, and a drop of dilute acid makes it fizz. The mineral is most likely
Show the answer
Answer: B. calcite. Easy scratching by a nail (hardness about 5.5) and fizzing in acid together identify calcite, a soft carbonate.
The trap: Quartz is too hard for a steel nail to scratch, and it does not react with acid.
Easy scratching by a nail (hardness about 5.5) and fizzing in acid together identify calcite, a soft carbonate.
The trap: Quartz is too hard for a steel nail to scratch, and it does not react with acid.
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Question 6 · Surface Processes
A soil on a hillside in a tropical rain forest is deep red, rich in iron and aluminum oxides, and poor in plant nutrients. Which process mainly formed this soil?
Show the answer
Answer: A. Heavy rain leaching soluble nutrients out of the soil. In hot, wet climates, heavy rain leaches nutrients and soluble minerals out of the soil, leaving the iron and aluminum oxides that make a laterite red.
The trap: Rain forests drop plenty of leaf litter, but it decays and is recycled so fast that little organic matter builds up, and the soil stays poor.
In hot, wet climates, heavy rain leaches nutrients and soluble minerals out of the soil, leaving the iron and aluminum oxides that make a laterite red.
The trap: Rain forests drop plenty of leaf litter, but it decays and is recycled so fast that little organic matter builds up, and the soil stays poor.
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Question 7 · Tectonic Earth Processes
Of the following geologic periods, which is the oldest?
Show the answer
Answer: C. Ordovician. The Ordovician comes right after the Cambrian in the Paleozoic Era, long before the Mesozoic periods Jurassic and Cretaceous.
The trap: The Carboniferous is also Paleozoic, but it is younger than the Ordovician.
The Ordovician comes right after the Cambrian in the Paleozoic Era, long before the Mesozoic periods Jurassic and Cretaceous.
The trap: The Carboniferous is also Paleozoic, but it is younger than the Ordovician.
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Question 8 · Applications
Drillers find oil in a porous sandstone layer. A thick layer of impermeable shale lies directly above it and bends over the top of an anticline. What role does the shale play?
Show the answer
Answer: D. It is the cap rock that stops the oil from rising further. A petroleum trap needs a porous reservoir and a seal above it. Shale is impermeable, so it acts as the cap rock and holds the oil in place.
The trap: Reservoir rock is the porous layer that holds oil, which here is the sandstone. Shale is too tight to store much oil.
A petroleum trap needs a porous reservoir and a seal above it. Shale is impermeable, so it acts as the cap rock and holds the oil in place.
The trap: Reservoir rock is the porous layer that holds oil, which here is the sandstone. Shale is too tight to store much oil.
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Question 9 · Core Knowledge
A rock splits into thin sheets with a glittery shine from aligned flakes of mica. What does this foliated texture show about the rock?
Show the answer
Answer: D. Directed pressure acted on the rock during metamorphism. Aligned platy minerals are produced by directed pressure, so the rock is metamorphic, such as schist.
The trap: Cementation in a lake gives sedimentary layers, but those layers are not made of aligned, shiny metamorphic mica flakes.
Aligned platy minerals are produced by directed pressure, so the rock is metamorphic, such as schist.
The trap: Cementation in a lake gives sedimentary layers, but those layers are not made of aligned, shiny metamorphic mica flakes.
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Question 10 · Surface Processes
Surveyors notice that fence posts on a grassy hillside lean downhill and the trunks of trees curve upward near their bases. There is no scarp and no sign of a sudden failure. Which type of mass wasting is occurring?
Show the answer
Answer: A. Creep, the slow movement of soil. Leaning posts and curved tree trunks are classic signs of creep, the slow, steady downslope movement of soil. It is too slow to see from day to day.
The trap: Slump moves as a block along a curved surface and leaves a crescent-shaped scarp. Neither a scarp nor a sudden movement is present here.
Leaning posts and curved tree trunks are classic signs of creep, the slow, steady downslope movement of soil. It is too slow to see from day to day.
The trap: Slump moves as a block along a curved surface and leaves a crescent-shaped scarp. Neither a scarp nor a sudden movement is present here.
The DSST Introduction to Geology exam at a glance
The DSST Introduction to Geology 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 4 content areas; the heaviest is Core Knowledge at 30%.
- 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
4 areas, heaviest first. The guide's chapters follow this order.
- Core Knowledge30%
- Surface Processes30%
- Tectonic Earth Processes30%
- Applications10%
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 Introduction to Geology study guide?
33 pages: 4 chapters, one per official content area, heaviest first. 180 terms, each with a plain-English definition and an example, 13 key people, common traps and memory tricks, 41 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 Introduction to Geology study guide?
The full 33-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 Introduction to Geology exam?
The DSST Introduction to Geology 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 4 content areas; the heaviest is Core Knowledge at 30%.
More questions about the DSST Introduction to Geology exam (22)
How many questions are on the DSST Introduction to Geology exam, and how long is it?
It has 100 questions to be answered in 2 hours. Some questions are pretest questions that will not be scored.
What is the passing score for DSST Introduction to Geology?
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 Introduction to Geology 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 Introduction to Geology 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 Introduction to Geology exam?
No. This exam doesn't allow a calculator.
Is there a penalty for guessing on DSST Introduction to Geology?
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 Introduction to Geology exam?
4 content areas, from the official outline: Core Knowledge (30%); Surface Processes (30%); Tectonic Earth Processes (30%); Applications (10%).
Which DSST Introduction to Geology topics should I study first?
Start with the three heaviest: Core Knowledge (30%), Surface Processes (30%) and Tectonic Earth Processes (30%). Together they are about 90% of the exam, roughly 90 of 100 questions. The guide's chapters run in that order, heaviest first.
Is the DSST Introduction to Geology exam hard?
It depends on what you already know. The exam has only 4 content areas, so each one carries real weight: Core Knowledge (30%), Surface Processes (30%), Tectonic Earth Processes (30%) and Applications (10%). Take the free diagnostic above to see where you stand in about 10 minutes.
What kinds of questions are on the DSST Introduction to Geology exam?
The guide sorts them into 5 types: “Identify from a clue”, “Cause and process”, “Relative age and time order”, “Inference from evidence” and “Quick calculation”. Every question has 4 answer choices. Try the 10 free questions above to see the style.
How long should I study for DSST Introduction to Geology?
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 Introduction to Geology 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 Introduction to Geology?
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 Introduction to Geology 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 Introduction to Geology 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 Geology include a lab?
No. There's no lab component, and some colleges require a separate lab if they count the credit as a lab science.
What textbooks does DSST recommend for Introduction to Geology?
The DSST fact sheet lists Tarbuck, Lutgens and Tasa's The Earth: An Introduction to Physical Geology, Plummer, Carlson and Hammersley's Physical Geology, Reynolds et al.'s Exploring Geology, and Fletcher's Physical Geology: The Science of Earth. DSST suggests checking any textbook against the content outline and studying from more than one.
Do I need to know Bowen's reaction series for DSST Introduction to Geology?
Yes. One of DSST's official sample questions asks which mineral forms at the highest temperature under Bowen's reaction series (olivine). It explains the makeup of igneous rocks, part of Core Knowledge, which is 30% of the exam.
Do I need to memorize the geologic time scale for DSST Introduction to Geology?
You should know the order of the major eras and periods. Geologic time, including relative and absolute dating, is part of Tectonic Earth Processes (30%), and a DSST sample question asks which of several periods is the most recent.
Does the exam cover climate change?
Yes. Climate change is listed under applications, alongside mineral and energy resources and environmental geology.
Can I take DSST Introduction to Geology 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.