DSST Physical Geology Exam

Are you a whiz at geology? If you understand all kinds of geological concepts like seismology, geomagnetics, oceanic systems, and the types of rocks that make up the core of the earth, then you may want to take the DSST Physical Geology exam.

Passing this exam will help you earn college credit for this course, without spending all that money and time in the classroom. And because geology is a basic lower-level natural science course, taking the DSST exam will help you move more quickly through the prerequisites.

DSST is a prior learning assessment program that awards college credit for what students have already mastered through work experience or independent study. This means that with DSST you can essentially test out of a geology course and receive credit for it at the same time. While thousands of colleges and universities across the United States recognize DSST for credit, you should always check with your own college before registering for the DSST exam.

Once you know that your school accepts DSST exams, you can register for the DSST Physical Geology with any college that administers DSST exams. You should plan to study for the exam before your scheduled test date.

The DSST Physical Geology exam covers the following topics:

1. Core Knowledge
2. Surface Processes
3. Internal Earth Processes
4. Applications.

For a more detailed outline, including a breakdown of question percentages, you should check out a DSST study guide. The DSST Physical Geology exam study guide will also provide practice questions and a list of helpful reference books.

DSST Physical Geology Practice Questions

1. Which of the following statements correctly describes a similarity or difference between rocks and minerals?

A. Minerals may contain traces of organic compounds, while rocks do not.
B. Rocks are classified by their formation and the minerals they contain, while minerals are classified by their chemical composition and physical properties.
C. Both rocks and minerals can be polymorphs.
D. Both rocks and minerals may contain mineraloids.

2. Which of these minerals would have the lowest score on the Mohs scale?

A. Gypsum
B. Fluorite
C. Talc
D. Diamond

3. According to the Dana classification system, gold, silver, and copper belong to which class?

A. Organic
B. Elemental
C. Oxide
D. Sulfide

4. Minerals that form on the sea floor from discarded shells are most likely part of which chemical class?

A. Sulfate
B. Organic
C. Carbonate
D. Silicate

5. Which of the following is NOT an example of chemical weathering of rocks?

A. Highly acidic rainwater causes dissolution of rocks.
B. Minerals that comprise rocks take on water, causing them to enlarge and creating fractures within the rocks.
C. Salt water penetrates fractures in rocks and leaves behind salt crystals that cause fractures.
D. Iron molecules in rocks react with atmospheric oxygen, which causes oxidation.

6. Leaching in the “A” soil horizon results from:

A. The accumulation of cations in the “B” horizon.
B. The accumulation of cations in the “O” horizon.
C. Contact with acid solutions generated in the “O” horizon.
D. Contact with acid solutions generated in the “B” horizon.

7. When metamorphic rock is stressed unevenly during recrystallization, it can result in:

A. Foliation.
B. Contact metamorphism.
C. Regional metamorphism.
D. Extrusion.

8. Which of the following statements correctly describes a distinction between regional and contact metamorphism?

A. Regional metamorphism results from intense heat, while contact metamorphism is caused by extreme pressure.
B. Regional metamorphism results from extreme pressure, while contact metamorphism is caused by intense heat.
C. Regional metamorphism occurs when magma is injected into surrounding rock, while contact metamorphism occurs when a large area of rock is subjected to intense heat and pressure.
D. Regional metamorphism occurs when a large area of rock is subjected to intense heat and pressure, while contact metamorphism occurs when magma is injected into surrounding rock.

9. When two tectonic plates are moving laterally in opposing directions, this is called a:

A. Transform boundary.
B. Compressional boundary.
C. Oppositional boundary.
D. Lateral boundary.

10. An earthquake with a Richter magnitude of 1.5 can be expected to have which of the following effects on an urban area with high standards for building construction?

A. The earthquake will probably not be felt, and will not cause damage.
B. There may be slight damage to well-constructed buildings over a small area.
C. There will be serious damage to well-constructed buildings over a large area.
D. There will be catastrophic damage and many people will be injured.

DSST Physical Geology Practice Questions Answer Key