Please choose the month you would like to take the COMPASS exam and then click the link below to see a detailed calendar of dates and times the test will be administered.

*Please note* No COMPASS exams will be given during the first three weeks of any semester. We apologize for any inconvenience.

The Computer adaptive Placement Assessment and Support System (COMPASS ) was developed by the American College Test Program (ACT) to assist post secondary institutions in accurately placing students in appropriate reading, writing, and mathematics courses. COMPASS differs from other placement tests in that it is computerized and adaptive. An adaptive test generates questions based upon the individual responses of the students taking the test. The test begins with a midlevel question. A correct response will lead to a more difficult question, while an incorrect response will generate an easier question. The process continues until an individual level of performance proficiency is established. In other words, the number of questions given during a testing session is dependent upon the responses of the student testing. Each test will be unique and un-timed.

Scheduling COMPASS

The COMPASS placement exam is free and a student does not need to schedule an appointment. The exam is offered each Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday mornings between 9-11am. The student must report to the Testing Office (located behind Fanning Hall) by 11:00 am with a photo id in order to take the exam. For more information, please contact the Testing Office at (706) 737-1469.

COMPASS Mathematics Test

The COMPASS Mathematics Test contains five components: numerical skills/pre algebra, algebra, college algebra, geometry, and trigonometry. This placement exam is used to determine whether the student is ready for college level mathematics courses or would benefit from Learning Support mathematics courses. Each domain has a question pool of at least 200 items. If a students performs well in one section, the test will move the student to the next section. This process continues until the student's level of proficiency is established. Students are permitted to use basic calculators for the mathematics portion of the exam (NO scientific or programmable calculators are permitted).

The pre algebra sections includes the following: basic operations with integers, fractions and decimals; exponents, square roots, and scientific notation; ratios and proportions; percentages; conversion between fractions and decimals; multiples and factors or integers; absolute values of numbers, averages (mean, median, and mode); ranges, order concepts (greater than and less than); estimation skills; number theory; and counting problems and simple probability.

The algebra portion in divided into elementary algebra, intermediate algebra, and coordinate geometry. Elementary algebra covers substituting values into algebraic equations, setting up equations for a given situation, basic operations with polynomials, factoring of polynomials, solving polynomial equations by factoring, formula manipulation and field axioms, linear equations in one variable (using integers, fractions, and decimals as coefficients), exponents and radicals, and linear inequalities in one variable.

Intermediate algebra includes rational expressions, exponents and radicals, systems of linear equations in two variables, quadratic formulas, and absolute value equations and inequalities.

Coordinate geometry involves linear equations in two variables, distance formula in a plane, graphing conics (circle, parabola, etc.), graphing parallel lines, graphing relations in a plane, graphing systems of equations and rational functions, and midpoint formula.

The COMPASS Writing Skills Test

The COMPASS Writing Skills Test is used to assess whether the student has the requisite writing skills and knowledge to succeed in the typical entry level college composition course or if the student would benefit from Learning Support course work in English composition. The test simulates the editing process by presenting an essay and requiring the student to first locate and then correct grammar, usage, and style errors. The test offers several essays each approximately 200 words in length. The essays are presented as a whole without any indication as to the location of the errors. The student selects the segment to be edited and is presented with five possible corrections. "Choice A" is always the same as the uncorrected segment and is selected when no error is found. Additionally, the test presents one or two multiple choice questions at the conclusion of the editing process that pose global questions related to the passage.

There are two general categories of items on the COMPASS Writing Skills Placement Test usage/mechanics and rhetorical skills. Each of the categories is further divided into three subcategories. The usage and mechanics category includes punctuation (punctuating breaks in thought, relationships and sequence, and avoiding unnecessary punctuation), basic grammar and usage (assuring grammatical agreement, forming verbs, using pronouns, and observing conventions), and sentence structure (relating clauses, using modifiers, and avoiding unnecessary shifts in construction). The rhetorical skills include strategy (making decisions about the appropriateness of expression for the audience and purpose; making decisions about adding, revising, or deleting supporting material; and making decisions about cohesion devices: openings, transitions, and closings); organization (establishing logical order and judging relevancy), and style (managing sentence elements effectively, editing and revising effectively, choosing words to fit meaning and function, and maintaining the established level of style and tone.

HINT: After competing the editing process, the students should ALWAYS reread the essay with the corrections. Once the choices are confirmed, it is not possible to return to the essay.

The COMPASS Reading Skills Test

The COMPASS reading skills test is used to determine whether a student's reading ability is advanced enough to facilitate success in college level courses or if the student would benefit from Learning Support reading courses. The focus of the test is on the student's ability to construct meaning from the material read. Similar to other traditional comprehension tests, the COMPASS reading placement test presents passages ranging from 190 words to 300 and of a reading difficulty level equivalent to that encountered in first year college texts. The test consists of a pool of 54 passages, each accompanied by 5 reading comprehension items. There are five types of passages: practical reading; prose fiction, humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. Practical reading passages present everyday types of situations and experiences. Prose fiction selections involve the narration of events or a story and provide information on characters. The humanities passages provide a description or analysis of ideas or works of art and craft. Social science passages address information gathered by research in areas such as Psychology, History, Sociology, Anthropology and Political Science. The natural science selections present a science topic with an explanation of its significance. The majority of the 54 passages are excerpts from copyrighted material with the remainder original works by ACT contracted item writers.

The reasoning items are used to assess a students's competence in developing appropriate inferences, critical understand of passage text, and deriving the meaning of unfamiliar or ambiguous vocabulary based on context. The main subcategories include the following: inferring the main idea of individual paragraphs and of passages with multiple paragraphs, indicating the relationship of details to the main idea, inferring sequence, cause and effect relationships, and unstated assumptions; drawing conclusions from presented facts, making comparisons utilizing given facts; making appropriate generalizations; recognizing logical fallacies, stereotypes, and various view points; recognizing the scope of applications of hypotheses, explanations, or conclusions; determining relevance and proper application of new information; recognizing the structure of an argument; distinguishing between supported and unsupported claims; using context clues to determine the meaning of words or short phrases; and applying information presented in the passage to a novel situation.

COMPASS Placement Examination Retesting Policy

There are certain conditions under which an applicant may be allowed one retest for course placement at Augusta State University. Applicants must meet all of the following criteria to be eligible for retesting:

1. Initial COMPASS taken meets the following deadlines:

•  April 1 for summer admission

•  July 1 for fall admission

•  October 15 for spring admission

2. Initial COMPASS score meets the following guidelines:

•  Reading score of at least 75 for Reading COMPASS retest

•  English score of at least 75 for English COMPASS retest

•  Math score of at least 39 for Math COMPASS retest

3. Applicant has taken COMPASS placement test only once.

4. At least one week must elapse between the initial test and the retest, but no more than four weeks can elapse between the initial test and the retest.

If an applicant meets the above criteria he or she should return to the Testing Center within the window outlined in number 4 above. All retesting will occur during normal COMPASS lab operating hours. A fee of $20.00 will be charged for each section retested or $50.00 if the entire battery is retaken. This fee is to be paid to the ASU Testing Center at the time of retesting.

Any questions concerning the Augusta State University retesting policy should be directed to Mrs. Katherine Sweeney, Registrar and Director of Admissions.