Western Europe Since 1945 DSST
A Free Study Guide!
Name of Exam: Western Europe Since 1945 DSST
Number of Questions: Around 103 (varies)
Time Limit: 120 Minutes
ACE Recommended Passing Score: 400
Cost: $80 + Sitting Fee (Usually no more than $20) at your testing site. Military can take DSSTs for free with Tuition Assistance. Check with your Educational Officer!
Difficulty 1-5 : 4
(One being the easiest, and five being the hardest)
Exam Description:
The Western Europe Since 1945 DSST covers the material normally learned in a Modern European History class. You will be tested on your general knowledge of the European Union, political parties of it's members, and the affects of the Cold War on modern Europe.
Personal Thoughts:
The general consensus on this exam is that it ranks between the Civil War and Reconstruction DSST and the Introduction to the Modern Middle East DSST in terms of difficulty.
The largest challenge with this exam is the material itself followed closely by the sheer amount of it. Much of this deals with a history not familiar to your average American. While the events immediately following the second World War is covered in most high school history classes, the level of detail called for here is something that we just do see. Be prepared to understand how each political process works in the European countries, how they decided upon those processes and how they influence the economies of those countries.
If you're thinking to yourself "Why did I take this exam again?" then that's not a bad question. There are easier exams out there and I highly suggest you look at some other DSST and CLEP's if you don't absolutely have to take this particular exam. If you do have to take it then keep on reading..
Exam breakdown:
Make sure you check out the Official Fact Sheet for this exam.
The Western Europe Since 1945 DSST is broken down as follows:
| 35% | National Political Systems |
|---|---|
| 25% | Issues and Policies |
| 20% | European Institutions and Processes |
| 15% | Historical Background |
| 05% | Europe's relations with the rest of the world |
Areas of Study
Alright, here we go. Though there are different versions of the Western Europe Since 1945 DSST, you'll most likely see some of the following on your exam:
- Political Movements
- Social Policies
- The end of the Cold War
- Politics of Identity
- Economic Affairs
- Treaty of Rome
- Charles de Gaulle
- Electoral Systems and Outcomes
- Federalism
This is not a comprehensive list of topics! I highly recommend (as always) signing up for InstantCert and running through their entire flashcard series as well as seeing the Specific Feedback section for this exam. They've had years to accumulate their information, and it shows.
Recommended Free Study Resources
- The European Union - You'll need to know all about it. The purpose, member countries, etc.
- The European Council - As it applies to the EU Union
- Interactive Map of Europe (Post 1945) - If you click through each map, it gives an overarching view of the European landscape over the last 60 years. Use the buttons on the very bottom to see the political, economic, and warfare aspects of each map.
- European Timeline during the Cold War - You'll find quite a bit of the items on the Fact Sheet contained in this timeline.
- Europe from 1990 - 2005 - I thought I hit the jackpot with this since they have from 1945 on up, but it appears you have to pay for the rest of the maps. It's a shame, because I REALLY like the way the lecture takes place.
- Post World War Europe (Part 1), (Part 2), and (Part 3) - A lot to read, but some great information on this period of European history.
- History of Europe on ShareCourseware - See Lecture 29 - "Europe Today " (You'll need Real Media Player to view it).
- Berkeley Lectures on ShareCourseware - You'll want the last 2 or 3 lectures towards the bottom. (You'll need also Real Media Player to view it).
Recommended bargain-priced study resources
*IMPORTANT!* - The Western Europe Since 1945 DSST has a ton of Prometric recommended materials. If you think about the content covered (economic, political and sociological history of multiple countries stretching over 60 years), it shouldn't come as a surprise that this is the case. I'm only going to list a few of those here. My suggestion would be to print off the Official Fact Sheet and bring it to the library. Use it to find the books there and save yourself some money!
Western Europe Since 1945: A Political History
An Economic and Social History of Western Europe Since 1945
InstantCert Academy Western Europe Since 1945 Exam Feedback - Tons of good info here and with the Western Europe Since 1945 Flashcards is probably one of the best resources found in this study guide. The downside is it isn't free.
If you don't know what InstantCert is, then click here for the scoop as well as a discount code: **InstantCert Academy**
You'll find an InstantCert link for every exam here if that gives you an idea of the amount of information they have available. It's an outstanding resource.
Closing Thoughts
I'm not happy with this study guide, but there isn't much I can do about it. I've spent the last two weeks looking all over the Internet for a single "silver bullet" free study resource for the Western Europe Since 1945 DSST and haven't even come close to finding one. There is just so much information being asked for in this exam that it's hard to find one place that has it all. As mentioned earlier, I'd suggest you use InstantCert if you just absolutely, positively have to take this exam. If you don't, then I'd go with some (any) other exam instead.
If you find a great (free) resource for this exam, please let me know about it! I'll add it to the above and it could help everyone.
Best of luck!
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