DSST Difficulty Guide
Everything you need to know about the difficulty of DSST DSST General Anthropology — pass rates, study time, and which units are toughest.
Moderate
Difficulty
58-65%
Est. Pass Rate
18-28h
Avg Study Time
400
Passing Score
Unit 1: Physical Anthropology
human evolution, primatology, natural selection
Standard
79 questions
Unit 2: Archaeology
archaeological methods, dating techniques, excavation
Standard
88 questions
Unit 3: Cultural Anthropology
cultural relativism, ethnocentrism, kinship systems
Standard
69 questions
Unit 4: Linguistic Anthropology
language and culture, Sapir-Whorf hypothesis, phonology
Heavy
101 questions
Unit 5: Applied Anthropology
medical anthropology, development anthropology, forensic anthropology
Standard
65 questions
DSST DSST General Anthropology is rated Moderate. About 58-65% of test-takers pass on their first attempt. It typically takes 18-28 hours of focused study to pass.
The national pass rate for DSST DSST General Anthropology is 58-65%. With a diagnostic-first approach and targeted practice, PrepLion students typically exceed this rate.
Plan for 18-28 hours of focused study. With PrepLion's diagnostic, you can often skip 30-50% of material you already know, cutting total prep time significantly.
DSST General Anthropology covers 5 units. The difficulty varies by unit — your diagnostic identifies your specific weak spots so you can prioritize them.
Yes, with focused prep. Complete a diagnostic on Day 1 to identify weak areas, practice 2-4 hours per day on gaps, then take a mock exam before the real test. Most students who follow this plan pass.
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