COMPASS TESTING

Q. What is the COMPASS test?

A. The American College Assessment (ACT) program developed COMPASS to help persons entering college to succeed in their educational goals. The main purpose of Compass is to help you identify your present academic strengths and needs so you may build a solid plan for success in the program you chose to pursue. You’ll learn about your skills in the areas of writing, reading, and math and how they compare with the skills you need as you pursue your program of study.

COMPASS is a computerized test, which is not timed. It is also adaptive which means the test administers questions based on your answers. If you answer easy questions correctly, the test will give you more difficult questions. The number

of questions on your test will be determined by the answers you give.

COMPASS helps determine basic skill levels in writing, reading, and math. The math portion includes addition, subtraction, division, multiplication, fractions, word problems and basic algebra. The reading portion consists of passages that are read and questions answered about the content. The writing portion consists of editing an essay concentrating on the rules of grammar and punctuation.

What do I need to bring to the test?
A photo ID is required to test. We will provide pencils and scratch paper.

Q. Are calculators allowed on the COMPASS?

A. A calculator may be used on the algebra portion of the test. There is a calculator located on the computer.

Q. How are COMPASS scores used?

A. Compass is a course placement program. COMPASS scores indicate areas in which you are strong and those in which you may need help, thus identifying problems in major subject areas before they disrupt you educational progress. If your scores on COMPASS are not high enough for placement directly into your program of study, developmental studies coursework and other resources are available to sharpen your skills.

Q. Can I retest on the COMPASS test?

A. If you do not have program ready scores after you take the COMPASS and if you attend a COMPASS test taking workshop you may retest.

For testing at the Dublin campus, call 478-274-7842

For testing at the Telfair campus, call 229-868-7834.

For sample questions, visit the ACT website and review the COMPASS Student Guide at http://www.act.org/compass