Question 1: The resistance to change that occurs when people feel their expertise or status is threatened is called _____ resistance.
Topic: Management
- structural
- organizational
- cultural
- psychological (Correct Answer)
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Comprehensive DSST exam preparation with practice tests and flashcards.
Written by the Flying Prep Team
Reviewed by Alex Stone, who earned 99 credits via CLEP & DSST
This section covers the basic concepts of business including the role of business in society, business ethics, social responsibility, and the fundamental economic systems. Students should understand different types of business ownership structures, entrepreneurship, and the business environment including legal, technological, and global factors.
This section covers marketing concepts including market research, target market identification, the marketing mix (4 P's), consumer behavior, and promotional strategies. Students should understand product development, pricing strategies, distribution channels, and the role of marketing in creating customer value and building brand relationships.
This section covers the production and delivery of goods and services including supply chain management, quality control, inventory management, and process improvement. Students should understand operations planning, scheduling, and the role of technology in optimizing business operations and productivity.
This section examines financial management principles including financial planning, budgeting, capital structure, and investment decisions. Students should understand financial statements, time value of money, risk and return concepts, and sources of business funding including debt and equity financing options.
This section examines the four primary functions of management: planning, organizing, leading, and controlling. Students should understand organizational structures, leadership styles, motivation theories, decision-making processes, and human resource management principles including recruitment, training, and performance evaluation.
This section examines the legal environment of business including contracts, employment law, intellectual property, and regulatory compliance. Students should understand business ethics, corporate governance, and the legal implications of business decisions across different functional areas.
This section covers international business concepts including global trade, cultural considerations, exchange rates, and international business strategies. Students should understand economic indicators, market structures, supply and demand principles, and the impact of globalization on business operations and strategy.
Preparing your assessment...
The difficulty depends largely on your professional experience. If you've worked in business environments, many concepts will feel familiar, making this one of the more accessible CLEP exams. The challenging aspects include financial calculations for those without accounting background and legal terminology in Business Law sections. Marketing and basic Management concepts are typically straightforward for most test-takers. The exam tests practical application rather than theoretical memorization, which helps professionals but can challenge traditional students. Most working adults find it manageable with focused preparation on weaker topic areas. The pass rate is reasonable compared to more technical CLEP subjects.
Most colleges accept a scaled score of 50 out of 80, which is the ACE-recommended passing score for Introduction to Business. Some competitive programs require 55 or higher, while community colleges may accept 45. Check with your target institution before testing since score requirements vary. The scaled score of 50 roughly equals a C grade in the equivalent college course. You cannot determine exactly how many questions you need to answer correctly since the raw score conversion varies based on question difficulty and statistical analysis. Plan to answer 60-70% of questions correctly to comfortably reach the passing threshold.
Study time varies significantly based on your business background. Professionals with workplace experience typically need 25-40 hours focusing on weaker areas like Finance or Business Law. Those with some business exposure should plan 50-75 hours for comprehensive coverage. Complete beginners require 90-120 hours to master all topic areas adequately. Prioritize Management and Marketing since they comprise 40% of the exam. Don't rush preparation for Finance sections if numbers aren't your strength - these questions can significantly impact your score. Create a schedule allowing 2-3 weeks of focused study rather than cramming. Quality preparation targeting your knowledge gaps beats lengthy unfocused review.
Start with a diagnostic assessment to identify strong and weak topic areas. Focus heavily on Management and Marketing since they represent 40% of the exam weight. Use business case studies and real-world examples rather than just memorizing definitions - the exam tests application of concepts. Practice financial calculations and ratio analysis regularly if Finance isn't your background. Create flashcards for Business Law terminology and key legal concepts. Review current business news to understand Global Business and Economics topics in context. Take multiple practice exams under timed conditions to build stamina and identify remaining knowledge gaps. Join online forums where other test-takers discuss challenging concepts and study strategies.
Yes, the testing center provides an on-screen calculator for questions requiring mathematical computation, primarily in Finance and Operations Management sections. The calculator includes basic functions - addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and square root. You cannot bring your own calculator into the testing room. Practice using a basic calculator during preparation since the on-screen version may feel different from your regular calculator. Most calculations involve financial ratios, percentage changes, and simple time value of money problems rather than complex mathematics. Don't let calculator concerns worry you - the mathematical requirements are straightforward for anyone comfortable with basic business math and percentage calculations.
The exam includes basic financial concepts but doesn't require deep accounting knowledge. Finance questions focus on interpreting financial statements, calculating basic ratios, and understanding cash flow concepts rather than detailed bookkeeping or advanced accounting theory. You'll need to understand balance sheets, income statements, and key financial ratios like return on investment and current ratio. Time value of money appears occasionally but at an introductory level. The emphasis is on using financial information for business decisions rather than creating financial records. If you can read basic financial statements and calculate percentages, you have sufficient mathematical background. Spend more preparation time on management and marketing concepts than detailed accounting procedures.
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