General Anthropology Test Prep: Practice Tests, Flashcards & Expert Strategies

The General Anthropology exam has moderate difficulty with a 65-70% pass rate. Physical Anthropology proves most challenging due to extensive memorization of fossil species, dates, and anatomical features. Many test-takers struggle with kinship terminology systems and distinguishing between similar economic concepts like reciprocity and redistribution. The exam requires both factual recall and analytical skills - you might identify Homo habilis characteristics or interpret ethnographic data about marriage patterns. Success depends more on systematic memorization of specific examples than theoretical understanding. Students with prior social science coursework typically find Cultural Anthropology sections manageable, while those lacking science background struggle with human evolution and archaeological dating methods.

Most colleges accept a scaled score of 400 out of 500 for 3 credit hours, though some institutions require 420-450 for credit or placement. The American Council on Education recommends 400 as equivalent to C-level performance in Introduction to Anthropology. Community colleges typically accept 400, while four-year universities may require higher scores. Graduate programs rarely accept DSST credits, preferring traditional coursework. Check your institution's specific requirements before testing, as policies vary significantly. Military education offices and academic advisors can provide official score requirements. Some schools award different credit amounts based on score ranges - 400-449 might earn 3 credits while 450+ earns 4 credits with advanced placement.

Study duration depends on your background knowledge and target score. Students with prior anthropology coursework need 25-35 hours focusing on weak areas, particularly Physical Anthropology facts and kinship systems. Those with general social science background require 45-65 hours for comprehensive coverage, spending extra time on archaeological methods and human evolution. Complete beginners should plan 80-110 hours, dedicating significant time to memorizing hominid species, cultural terminology, and ethnographic examples. Daily 1-2 hour study sessions work better than marathon cramming due to the extensive factual content. Practice tests help identify knowledge gaps and guide time allocation. Most successful test-takers study 6-10 weeks, balancing broad content review with intensive practice on challenging topics like primate behavior and economic systems.

Create detailed flashcards for Physical Anthropology facts - hominid species, brain sizes, tool technologies, and chronological sequences. Use visual aids like evolutionary trees and archaeological site maps to reinforce spatial and temporal relationships. Practice kinship diagrams repeatedly until you can instantly identify cross-cousin marriage patterns and descent rules. Read ethnographic case studies to understand how theoretical concepts apply in real cultures. Focus on specific examples rather than abstract theories - learn about Trobriand Islander kula rings for reciprocity, not just the definition. Take multiple practice exams to identify weak areas and improve time management. Join online study groups or forums where test-takers share mnemonics and study strategies. Review missed practice questions immediately while the context remains fresh in memory.

Graduate programs rarely accept DSST credits for prerequisite coursework, preferring traditional classroom experience with research projects, ethnographic writing, and laboratory work. Medical schools, law schools, and anthropology graduate programs typically require transcripted coursework from accredited institutions. However, the exam can fulfill undergraduate general education requirements, freeing schedule space for additional anthropology electives that strengthen graduate applications. Some professional programs like social work or public health may accept DSST credits for social science requirements. MBA programs occasionally accept alternative credits for humanities requirements. Contact admissions offices directly rather than relying on general policies, as exceptions exist for military veterans or non-traditional students. Consider taking traditional coursework for prerequisites while using DSST for elective credits.

Human evolution questions dominate Physical Anthropology sections, emphasizing Australopithecus species differentiation, Homo erectus migration patterns, and Neandertal-modern human relationships. Kinship systems appear in nearly every exam form, testing patrilineal versus matrilineal descent, cousin marriage rules, and kinship terminology like 'parallel cousin' versus 'cross cousin.' Economic anthropology questions frequently cover Marcel Mauss's gift exchange theories, redistribution in chiefdoms, and subsistence strategies from foraging to agriculture. Archaeological dating methods consistently appear, contrasting radiocarbon dating, stratigraphy, and relative versus absolute techniques. Religious anthropology emphasizes shamanism, rites of passage, and animistic belief systems rather than world religions. Cultural relativism versus ethnocentrism appears across multiple sections, testing your ability to analyze cultural practices without Western bias.

Yes, memorize key anthropologists and their contributions since the exam frequently attributes theories to specific scholars. Franz Boas founded American anthropology and cultural relativism. Margaret Mead studied adolescence in Samoa, challenging biological determinism. Bronisław Malinowski developed participant observation methodology in the Trobriand Islands. Claude Lévi-Strauss created structural anthropology and kinship analysis. Lewis Henry Morgan classified kinship terminology systems. E.E. Evans-Pritchard studied Nuer political organization. Ruth Benedict wrote 'Patterns of Culture' about cultural configurations. However, focus on their major contributions rather than biographical details. Questions typically ask 'Who developed the concept of cultural relativism?' rather than 'When was Franz Boas born?' Connect theorists to specific concepts, fieldwork locations, and methodological innovations for maximum retention and exam success.