$5one-time
- 35-page printable PDF
- 180 terms with examples
- 41 practice questions, answers explained
- 2-page cram sheet and study plans
← DSST Health and Human Development course
DSST® Study Guide
Printable PDF · 35 pages
DSST Health and Human Development Study Guide
Everything the DSST Health and Human Development 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 35-page PDF.
What you get for $5
One chapter for each official content area, in the order the exam weighs them.
- 📘35pages, printable
- 🧭6chapters, heaviest first
- 🔑180terms with examples
- ✍️41practice questions, answers explained
- ⚠️18exam traps to avoid
- 📄2page cram sheet
Try 10 free Health and Human Development questions
In the style of the real exam, from all 6 areas. About 10 minutes, with every answer explained and a score by area.
10 questions
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Question 1 · Health, Wellness, and Mind/Body Connection
A woman has been working two jobs for months. At first she felt energized and alert, then she settled into a routine of coping, and now she is constantly tired and catches every illness that goes around. She is most likely in which stage of the general adaptation syndrome?
Show the answer
Answer: A. Exhaustion. Constant fatigue and frequent illness after long-term stress mean the body's coping resources are depleted. That is the exhaustion stage.
The trap: Resistance is tempting because she is still coping on the surface, but the stage ends when her resources run out and illness appears.
Constant fatigue and frequent illness after long-term stress mean the body's coping resources are depleted. That is the exhaustion stage.
The trap: Resistance is tempting because she is still coping on the surface, but the stage ends when her resources run out and illness appears.
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Question 2 · Fitness and Nutrition
Dana's best bench press is 100 pounds, a weight she can lift only one time. Which component of fitness does this result measure?
Show the answer
Answer: B. Muscular strength. The most force a muscle can produce in one effort is muscular strength.
The trap: Muscular endurance is tempting because it also involves muscles, but it measures repeated effort over time, not a single maximum.
The most force a muscle can produce in one effort is muscular strength.
The trap: Muscular endurance is tempting because it also involves muscles, but it measures repeated effort over time, not a single maximum.
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Question 3 · Risk Factors, Disease, and Disease Prevention
A woman's uterine tumor started in the muscle of the uterine wall, not in its inner lining. This cancer is classified as a
Show the answer
Answer: C. sarcoma. Cancers that start in muscle, bone, fat or other supporting tissue are sarcomas.
The trap: Carcinoma is tempting because most uterine cancers are carcinomas, but those start in the inner lining, not the muscle wall.
Cancers that start in muscle, bone, fat or other supporting tissue are sarcomas.
The trap: Carcinoma is tempting because most uterine cancers are carcinomas, but those start in the inner lining, not the muscle wall.
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Question 4 · Human Development and Relationships
A woman drinks heavily throughout her first trimester. Which term describes a substance such as alcohol that can harm the developing embryo?
Show the answer
Answer: D. Teratogen. A teratogen is any agent that can cause birth defects when an embryo or fetus is exposed to it. Alcohol is a well-known example.
The trap: Carcinogen is tempting because it also means a harmful agent, but carcinogens cause cancer, not birth defects.
A teratogen is any agent that can cause birth defects when an embryo or fetus is exposed to it. Alcohol is a well-known example.
The trap: Carcinogen is tempting because it also means a harmful agent, but carcinogens cause cancer, not birth defects.
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Question 5 · Addiction
A patient recovering from surgery finds that the dose of pain medicine that once worked no longer relieves his pain. Which term describes this change?
Show the answer
Answer: B. Tolerance. Needing more of a drug to get the same effect is tolerance.
The trap: Withdrawal is tempting because it also follows drug use, but it refers to symptoms after stopping a drug, not to needing more.
Needing more of a drug to get the same effect is tolerance.
The trap: Withdrawal is tempting because it also follows drug use, but it refers to symptoms after stopping a drug, not to needing more.
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Question 6 · Safety, Consumer Awareness, and Environmental Concerns
Mountain lakes downwind of several coal-burning plants have become too acidic for fish to survive. Which gas released by the plants is mainly responsible?
Show the answer
Answer: D. sulfur dioxide. Burning coal releases sulfur dioxide, which reacts with water in the air to form sulfuric acid that falls as acid rain.
The trap: Carbon monoxide also comes from burning fuel, but it is a poisonous gas that affects blood oxygen and does not form acid rain.
Burning coal releases sulfur dioxide, which reacts with water in the air to form sulfuric acid that falls as acid rain.
The trap: Carbon monoxide also comes from burning fuel, but it is a poisonous gas that affects blood oxygen and does not form acid rain.
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Question 7 · Health, Wellness, and Mind/Body Connection
A city pays to remove lead paint from older apartments where young children live. This is best described as
Show the answer
Answer: A. primary prevention. Removing the hazard keeps lead poisoning from ever starting, so it is primary prevention.
The trap: Secondary prevention would mean testing children's blood to find lead poisoning that has already begun; removing the paint stops it from starting.
Removing the hazard keeps lead poisoning from ever starting, so it is primary prevention.
The trap: Secondary prevention would mean testing children's blood to find lead poisoning that has already begun; removing the paint stops it from starting.
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Question 8 · Fitness and Nutrition
A 40-year-old estimates her maximum heart rate as 220 minus her age. She wants to exercise at 70 percent of that rate. What target heart rate should she aim for?
Show the answer
Answer: C. 126 beats per minute. Her maximum is 220 - 40 = 180, and 70 percent of 180 is 126 beats per minute.
The trap: 154 comes from taking 70 percent of 220 without subtracting her age first; 180 is her maximum, not her target.
Her maximum is 220 - 40 = 180, and 70 percent of 180 is 126 beats per minute.
The trap: 154 comes from taking 70 percent of 220 without subtracting her age first; 180 is her maximum, not her target.
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Question 9 · Risk Factors, Disease, and Disease Prevention
A man has crushing chest pain that does not ease with rest, and tests show a blood clot has blocked a coronary artery. His condition is best described as
Show the answer
Answer: A. a myocardial infarction. A blocked coronary artery that damages heart muscle is a heart attack, or myocardial infarction.
The trap: Angina also causes chest pain, but it is temporary and eases with rest because the heart tissue is not dying.
A blocked coronary artery that damages heart muscle is a heart attack, or myocardial infarction.
The trap: Angina also causes chest pain, but it is temporary and eases with rest because the heart tissue is not dying.
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Question 10 · Human Development and Relationships
A woman wants birth control that lasts for years and needs no action each day or before sex. Which method fits?
Show the answer
Answer: B. Intrauterine device. An IUD is placed in the uterus by a clinician and works for 3 to 10 years with nothing to do each day or before sex.
The trap: Oral contraceptive is tempting because it is a common, reliable method, but the pill must be taken every day.
An IUD is placed in the uterus by a clinician and works for 3 to 10 years with nothing to do each day or before sex.
The trap: Oral contraceptive is tempting because it is a common, reliable method, but the pill must be taken every day.
The DSST Health and Human Development exam at a glance
The DSST Health and Human Development 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 6 content areas; the heaviest is Health, Wellness, and Mind/Body Connection 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 Health and Human Development exam page.
What the exam covers
6 areas, heaviest first. The guide's chapters follow this order.
- Health, Wellness, and Mind/Body Connection20%
- Fitness and Nutrition20%
- Risk Factors, Disease, and Disease Prevention20%
- Human Development and Relationships15%
- Addiction15%
- Safety, Consumer Awareness, and Environmental Concerns10%
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 Health and Human Development study guide?
35 pages: 6 chapters, one per official content area, heaviest first. 180 terms, each with a plain-English definition and an example, 9 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 Health and Human Development 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 Health and Human Development exam?
The DSST Health and Human Development 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 6 content areas; the heaviest is Health, Wellness, and Mind/Body Connection at 20%.
More questions about the DSST Health and Human Development exam (23)
How many questions are on the DSST Health and Human Development exam, and how long is it?
It has 100 questions to be answered in 2 hours.
What is the passing score for DSST Health and Human Development?
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 Health and Human Development 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 Health and Human Development 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 Health and Human Development exam?
No. This exam doesn't allow a calculator.
Is there a penalty for guessing on DSST Health and Human Development?
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 Health and Human Development exam?
6 content areas, from the official outline: Health, Wellness, and Mind/Body Connection (20%); Fitness and Nutrition (20%); Risk Factors, Disease, and Disease Prevention (20%); Human Development and Relationships (15%); Addiction (15%); Safety, Consumer Awareness, and Environmental Concerns (10%).
Which DSST Health and Human Development topics should I study first?
Start with the three heaviest: Health, Wellness, and Mind/Body Connection (20%), Fitness and Nutrition (20%) and Risk Factors, Disease, and Disease Prevention (20%). Together they are about 60% of the exam, roughly 60 of 100 questions. The guide's chapters run in that order, heaviest first.
Is the DSST Health and Human Development exam hard?
It depends on what you already know. No single area dominates: the largest, Health, Wellness, and Mind/Body Connection, is 20% and the smallest, Safety, Consumer Awareness, and Environmental Concerns, is 10%, 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 Health and Human Development exam?
The guide sorts them into 5 types: “Name the term from a definition”, “Apply it to a situation”, “Which of the following is”, “Cause and effect” and “Match the organization or plan”. Every question has 4 answer choices. Try the 10 free questions above to see the style.
How long should I study for DSST Health and Human Development?
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 Health and Human Development 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 Health and Human Development?
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 Health and Human Development 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 is the guide different from the DSST Health and Human Development course?
The guide is a 35-page PDF for review and self-testing. The DSST Health and Human Development course is a full online course with lessons, quizzes and a practice exam, for $19 with lifetime access. Many students use the guide first, then take the course for the areas the diagnostic flags.
How up to date is this DSST Health and Human Development 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.
Is this the same as the DSST Here's to Your Health exam?
Yes. Health and Human Development is the current name of the exam formerly called Here's to Your Health.
What textbooks does DSST recommend for Health and Human Development?
The DSST fact sheet lists Insel's Core Concepts in Health and Hahn, Payne and Lucas's Focus on Health. DSST suggests checking any textbook against the content outline and studying from more than one.
Is Healthy People 2030 on the DSST Health and Human Development exam?
Yes. Healthy People 2030, the U.S. government's current set of 10-year national health objectives, is named in the outline under Health, Wellness, and Mind/Body Connection, which is 20% of the exam.
Which behavior change model should I know for DSST Health and Human Development?
The transtheoretical (stages of change) model: precontemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, maintenance and termination. Behavior change models are listed under Health, Wellness, and Mind/Body Connection, 20% of the exam.
Does the exam cover mental health?
Yes. Mental health and mental illness are part of the largest area, Health, Wellness, and Mind/Body Connection, along with stress, prevention and behavior change.
Can I take DSST Health and Human Development 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.