Compass Test

The COMPASS test is a college placement test that helps teachers and counselors assess the knowledge of new students. It tests students in basic skills such as reading, writing, and math. The results of the test help place students in academically appropriate classes so they feel challenged, but not overwhelmed. Whether or not you take the COMPASS test will depend on your college, since not all colleges use the test.

The COMPASS test is generally given to freshmen students during orientation. Some colleges require it before enrolling in a particular class. If it is required, your college advisor will inform you of this. The COMPASS test offers many benefits to school administrators. It is fast, accurate, and allows you to customize test packages to fit your school’s needs. The reporting is comprehensive, allowing you to accurately advise students and help place them in appropriate classes. It also allows the opportunity to test students in high school to help prospective college students early in the college selection and registration process. Remote testing for the COMPASS test is also available, so location is not a factor when taking the test.

The mathematics portion of the COMPASS test focuses on basic skills, application, and analysis. A calculator is allowed. You will be tested on pre-algebra, algebra, college algebra, geometry, and trigonometry. Besides these, an additional 15 diagnostic tests are available: seven for pre-algebra and eight for algebra. The reading test is multiple-choice and assesses reading comprehension in the following five areas: practical reading, prose fiction, humanities, and social and natural sciences. Students are also tested on vocabulary. The writing skills portion of the COMPASS test focuses on mechanics, such as punctuation, grammar, usage, and sentence structure. Students are also tested on rhetoric, such as organization, style, and strategy. There is also an essay portion of the test which asks you to respond to a prompt. The prompt is usually about something relevant to teenagers’ lives, such as school or the local community. In the essay, you will be asked to state a position and use evidence and examples to support your position. On this portion of the COMPASS test, you will be scored on how well you focus on the position, the strength of your evidence, how well you tailor the essay to a particular audience, the logic and coherence of your argument, and your use of language and vocabulary.

The COMPASS test is computer-based and has no time limit. Therefore, it’s best to take your time and answer the questions to the best of your ability, so you can be placed into the most suitable classes for your skill level. Unlike most tests, there is no pass or fail. It is used only as an assessment to determine which subjects are your strengths and in which areas you need to improve. Then, your college counselor can help you register for the appropriate classes. Once you finish the COMPASS test, you will immediately receive your score report which will list the classes you should take toward your degree.