Question 1: What property describes a mineral's resistance to scratching and is measured on a scale from 1 to 10?
Topic: Physical Properties of Earth Materials
- luster
- cleavage
- fracture
- hardness (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 focuses on weathering, erosion, transportation, deposition, and lithification processes that create sedimentary rocks. Students need to understand clastic, chemical, and organic sedimentary rock formation, depositional environments, and sedimentary structures. Knowledge of stratigraphic principles and the interpretation of past environmental conditions from sedimentary features is essential.
This section covers the transformation of existing rocks through heat, pressure, and chemical alteration during metamorphic processes. Students must understand metamorphic grades, facies, foliation development, and the distinction between contact and regional metamorphism. Identification of common metamorphic rocks and understanding of metamorphic environments and conditions are required.
This section covers weathering, erosion, mass wasting, and surface processes that shape Earth's topography. Students must understand mechanical and chemical weathering mechanisms, slope stability, landslide types, and the agents of erosion including water, wind, and ice. Knowledge of landform development and surface process interactions is essential for geological interpretation.
This section covers the fundamental physical and chemical properties of minerals and rocks that form Earth's materials. Students need to understand mineral identification techniques, crystal systems, hardness scales, cleavage and fracture patterns, specific gravity, and optical properties. Knowledge of how these properties relate to mineral structure and chemical composition is essential for geological interpretation.
This section examines groundwater systems, surface water processes, and basic oceanographic principles. Students need to understand aquifers, water table dynamics, groundwater flow, and contamination issues, as well as ocean currents, tides, and marine environments. Knowledge of the hydrologic cycle and water-rock interactions is fundamental to understanding Earth's water systems.
This section covers Earth's geological timeline, dating methods, and major events in Earth's 4.6-billion-year history. Students must understand relative and absolute dating techniques, the geological time scale, fossil record interpretation, and major evolutionary and extinction events. Knowledge of stratigraphic principles and paleoenvironmental reconstruction is essential for understanding Earth's historical development.
This section examines rock deformation, plate tectonics, and the structural features resulting from crustal movements. Students need to understand folds, faults, joints, and their formation mechanisms, as well as plate boundary types and associated geological phenomena. Knowledge of stress-strain relationships, earthquake mechanics, and mountain-building processes is fundamental to this topic.
This section examines the formation, classification, and characteristics of igneous rocks through magmatic processes. Students must understand magma generation, crystallization processes, intrusive versus extrusive environments, and the relationship between cooling rates and crystal size. Familiarity with major igneous rock types, volcanic activity, and plutonic structures is required for comprehensive understanding.
Preparing your assessment...
The Introduction to Geology exam presents moderate difficulty, with mineral and rock identification being the most challenging components. Questions testing physical properties and formation processes require precise knowledge - you can't rely on general understanding. The exam assumes familiarity with scientific terminology and basic chemistry concepts. Most test-takers find the structural geology and surface processes sections straightforward, while metamorphic processes and historical geology require more memorization. Success depends on systematic study of rock and mineral characteristics rather than conceptual understanding alone. Plan for thorough preparation if you lack geology background.
The American Council on Education recommends 50 as the passing score for Introduction to Geology, accepted by most colleges and universities. This translates to answering roughly 60-65% of questions correctly, accounting for scaled scoring adjustments. Some institutions require scores of 55 or higher, particularly for science programs. Check with your target institution before scheduling the exam. Your score report shows performance in major content areas, helping identify strengths and weaknesses. The 50-point threshold represents solid introductory geology knowledge equivalent to a C grade in a college course.
Study time depends on your science background and geology experience. With relevant professional experience in environmental or construction fields, plan 40-60 hours of focused preparation. Those with general science knowledge but no geology background need 80-120 hours. Complete beginners should allocate 150-200 hours, spending significant time on mineral identification and rock formation processes. Spread preparation over 8-12 weeks rather than cramming. The exam requires factual knowledge and visual recognition skills that develop through consistent practice. Quality study materials and systematic coverage of all content areas matter more than total hours.
Start with Physical Properties of Earth Materials since it carries 20% of exam weight and underlies other topics. Use visual resources extensively - geology requires recognizing rocks, minerals, and geological structures from images. Create systematic charts comparing igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rock characteristics. Practice with geological maps and cross-sections to master structural concepts. Focus on process understanding rather than memorization alone. Take multiple practice exams to identify weak areas and improve timing. Join online geology communities for additional visual resources and expert guidance. Hands-on experience with rock samples enhances retention significantly.
No calculators are permitted during the Introduction to Geology exam. The mathematical concepts tested are basic and don't require complex calculations. You might encounter simple problems involving geological time scales, sediment transport rates, or mineral hardness scales that use fundamental arithmetic. Most questions focus on conceptual knowledge, identification, and process understanding rather than quantitative analysis. The exam provides any necessary formulas or data tables within question stems. Practice mental math for basic geological calculations during your preparation to build confidence for test day.
The Introduction to Geology exam focuses on theoretical knowledge rather than hands-on laboratory or field techniques. However, you'll encounter questions about mineral identification tests, rock classification methods, and geological mapping concepts that laboratory courses typically cover. Questions may describe laboratory procedures or field observations, then ask you to interpret results or identify specimens based on described properties. Understanding how geological tools and methods work conceptually helps answer these questions, even without direct laboratory experience. The exam emphasizes what you would learn from specimens and data rather than how to collect them.
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