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- 31-page printable PDF
- 185 terms with examples
- 40 practice questions, answers explained
- 2-page cram sheet and study plans
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DSST® Study Guide
Printable PDF · 31 pages
DSST Introduction to Business Study Guide
Everything the DSST Introduction to Business exam tests, in one PDF you can print. Built from Prometric's official outline, heaviest topics first.
- 185 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 31-page PDF.
What you get for $5
One chapter for each official content area, in the order the exam weighs them.
- 📘31pages, printable
- 🧭3chapters, heaviest first
- 🔑185terms with examples
- ✍️40practice questions, answers explained
- ⚠️9exam traps to avoid
- 📄2page cram sheet
Try 10 free Introduction to Business questions
In the style of the real exam, from all 3 areas. About 10 minutes, with every answer explained and a score by area.
10 questions
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Question 1 · Functions of Business
A bank manager sets next year's goal of opening three new branches, then decides which regions to enter and how to fund them. Which management function is she performing?
Show the answer
Answer: B. Planning. Setting goals and deciding how to reach them is planning, the first management function.
The trap: Organizing is tempting because branches will need staff and structure, but that comes after the goals and the approach are set.
Setting goals and deciding how to reach them is planning, the first management function.
The trap: Organizing is tempting because branches will need staff and structure, but that comes after the goals and the approach are set.
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Question 2 · Foundations of Business
Nina and Raj run a bakery as partners with no formal agreement. The bakery cannot repay a $60,000 supplier debt, and its assets are worth far less. Which statement is true?
Show the answer
Answer: C. Either partner's personal assets can be used to pay the debt.. A general partnership has unlimited liability. Creditors can collect the full debt from any partner's personal assets, including the home.
The trap: Limiting losses to the amount invested is tempting, but that protection comes with a corporation or an LLC, not a general partnership.
A general partnership has unlimited liability. Creditors can collect the full debt from any partner's personal assets, including the home.
The trap: Limiting losses to the amount invested is tempting, but that protection comes with a corporation or an LLC, not a general partnership.
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Question 3 · Business and Social Responsibility
An accountant discovers that her employer is hiding losses from investors. When her manager ignores her concerns, she reports the matter to federal regulators. In doing so she is acting as a
Show the answer
Answer: D. whistleblower.. A whistleblower is an employee who reports illegal or unethical conduct by the employer to outside authorities.
The trap: Stakeholder is true of her in a loose sense, but the term describes anyone affected by the firm and does not name the act of reporting wrongdoing.
A whistleblower is an employee who reports illegal or unethical conduct by the employer to outside authorities.
The trap: Stakeholder is true of her in a loose sense, but the term describes anyone affected by the firm and does not name the act of reporting wrongdoing.
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Question 4 · Functions of Business
A company president has 14 vice presidents and managers reporting directly to him, while a plant supervisor has only 5 reporting to her. These numbers describe which concept?
Show the answer
Answer: A. Span of control. Span of control is the number of employees who report directly to one manager.
The trap: Chain of command is about the line of authority, who reports to whom, rather than how many people report to a manager.
Span of control is the number of employees who report directly to one manager.
The trap: Chain of command is about the line of authority, who reports to whom, rather than how many people report to a manager.
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Question 5 · Foundations of Business
A regular corporation earns a profit and pays corporate income tax. It then pays a dividend, and the shareholder reports it as taxable income. What is this tax disadvantage called?
Show the answer
Answer: A. Double taxation. The same profit is taxed once at the corporate level and again when paid out to the shareholder. That is double taxation.
The trap: Pass-through taxation is the opposite: S corporations and partnerships avoid the corporate layer, so profit is taxed only once.
The same profit is taxed once at the corporate level and again when paid out to the shareholder. That is double taxation.
The trap: Pass-through taxation is the opposite: S corporations and partnerships avoid the corporate layer, so profit is taxed only once.
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Question 6 · Business and Social Responsibility
A vice president learns that another firm will soon offer to buy her company at a high price. Before the news is public, she buys a large block of her company's stock. Her action is
Show the answer
Answer: C. illegal insider trading.. Trading on important information that is not yet public breaks securities laws, whatever the person's job.
The trap: Calling it a permitted use of her pay is tempting because executives can own stock, but ownership is legal only when the trade does not use secret information.
Trading on important information that is not yet public breaks securities laws, whatever the person's job.
The trap: Calling it a permitted use of her pay is tempting because executives can own stock, but ownership is legal only when the trade does not use secret information.
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Question 7 · Functions of Business
A regional manager at a restaurant chain turns the corporate five-year growth goals into a plan for this year's openings in her territory. She is making a
Show the answer
Answer: D. tactical plan. A tactical plan is a shorter-term plan, made by middle managers, that carries out part of the strategic plan.
The trap: Strategic plan is wrong because strategic plans are long-range and made by top managers for the whole firm.
A tactical plan is a shorter-term plan, made by middle managers, that carries out part of the strategic plan.
The trap: Strategic plan is wrong because strategic plans are long-range and made by top managers for the whole firm.
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Question 8 · Foundations of Business
Four accountants want to run one firm together, with every partner taking part in management. They also want protection from personal liability if another partner makes a professional error. Which form fits best?
Show the answer
Answer: B. Limited liability partnership. An LLP lets all partners manage while shielding each from liability for the others' wrongdoing or negligence.
The trap: A limited partnership offers protection only to partners who do not manage. Here all four manage, so they would be general partners with unlimited liability.
An LLP lets all partners manage while shielding each from liability for the others' wrongdoing or negligence.
The trap: A limited partnership offers protection only to partners who do not manage. Here all four manage, so they would be general partners with unlimited liability.
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Question 9 · Business and Social Responsibility
A company recruits qualified candidates at colleges with high minority enrollment and sets a goal of correcting a long-standing imbalance in its workforce. This policy is best called
Show the answer
Answer: B. affirmative action.. Actively recruiting and promoting qualified members of underrepresented groups to correct past imbalance is affirmative action.
The trap: A glass ceiling is the invisible barrier that blocks advancement. It is the problem such policies try to fix, not the policy itself.
Actively recruiting and promoting qualified members of underrepresented groups to correct past imbalance is affirmative action.
The trap: A glass ceiling is the invisible barrier that blocks advancement. It is the problem such policies try to fix, not the policy itself.
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Question 10 · Functions of Business
A snack company pays for a survey and tastings to learn what flavors teenagers want before it develops a new chip. This approach reflects the
Show the answer
Answer: D. marketing concept. The marketing concept starts with finding out what customers want and then delivering it.
The trap: Selling orientation is tempting, but it pushes products the firm already makes rather than starting with customer needs.
The marketing concept starts with finding out what customers want and then delivering it.
The trap: Selling orientation is tempting, but it pushes products the firm already makes rather than starting with customer needs.
The DSST Introduction to Business exam at a glance
The DSST Introduction to Business 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 3 content areas; the heaviest is Functions of Business at 50%.
- 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
3 areas, heaviest first. The guide's chapters follow this order.
- Functions of Business50%
- Foundations of Business30%
- Business and Social Responsibility20%
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 Business study guide?
31 pages: 3 chapters, one per official content area, heaviest first. 185 terms, each with a plain-English definition and an example, 13 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 Introduction to Business study guide?
The full 31-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 Business exam?
The DSST Introduction to Business 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 3 content areas; the heaviest is Functions of Business at 50%.
More questions about the DSST Introduction to Business exam (22)
How many questions are on the DSST Introduction to Business exam, and how long is it?
It contains 100 questions to be answered in 2 hours.
What is the passing score for DSST Introduction to Business?
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 Business 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 Business 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 Business exam?
No. This exam doesn't allow a calculator.
Is there a penalty for guessing on DSST Introduction to Business?
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 Business exam?
3 content areas, from the official outline: Functions of Business (50%); Foundations of Business (30%); Business and Social Responsibility (20%).
Which DSST Introduction to Business topics should I study first?
Start with Functions of Business (50%), the largest of the exam's 3 areas, then Foundations of Business (30%) and Business and Social Responsibility (20%). The guide's chapters run in that order, heaviest first.
Is the DSST Introduction to Business exam hard?
It depends on what you already know. The exam has only 3 content areas, so each one carries real weight: Functions of Business (50%), Foundations of Business (30%) and Business and Social Responsibility (20%). Take the free diagnostic above to see where you stand in about 10 minutes.
What kinds of questions are on the DSST Introduction to Business exam?
The guide sorts them into 5 types: “Name the concept”, “Apply it to a scenario”, “Which statement is TRUE”, “Cause and effect” and “Tell the pair apart”. 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 Business?
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 Business 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 Business?
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 Business 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 Business 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.
Can I take DSST Introduction to Business online?
Yes. DSST exams can be taken at a test center or online with a remote Prometric proctor.
Is DSST Introduction to Business multiple choice only?
Yes. Every question is multiple choice with four options: one correct answer and three incorrect ones. There's no essay or written section.
What textbooks does DSST recommend for Introduction to Business?
The DSST fact sheet lists Understanding Business by Nickels, McHugh and McHugh, Business Essentials by Ebert and Griffin, and Foundations of Business by Pride. DSST suggests checking any textbook against the content outline and using more than one source.
Is there math on DSST Introduction to Business?
Very little. Questions focus on concepts and vocabulary; you may see a simple calculation, but no advanced math is needed.
Is DSST Introduction to Business good for non-business majors?
Yes. It's designed as a survey course and often counts as a general elective, so it suits students outside business programs too. Confirm how your college applies it.
What is the difference between DSST Introduction to Business and CLEP Principles of Management?
Introduction to Business surveys every business function at an introductory level. Principles of Management goes deeper into management theory, organization and human resources. They are separate exams from different providers.
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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.