Compass Test

COMPASS(Placement Exam)

The COMPASS is a computer based placement test. Individuals will be notified by the Admissions Office if this test is necessary to complete the admission's process. Or, if you have any questions regarding requirements for taking COMPASS, you can contact Admissions at 737-1632.

The Testing Computer Lab is open Tuesday - Thursday, 9 AM - 11 AM. Picture ID is required for testing. Individuals interested in study material can come to Testing and Disability Services to review study guides. Materials can also be purchased from the ASU Campus Bookstore.

Click the links below for detailed monthly schedules!!!!

More Information Regarding COMPASS

COMPASS consists of 3 different tests: Arithmetic, Writing and Reading. 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. 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 untimed.

COMPASS MATHEMATICS TEST

At ASU the COMPASS Exam uses information obtained from questions focusing on numerical skills/prealgebra and algebra to make placement decisions. This placement exam is used to determine whether the student is ready for college level mathematics courses or if the student 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 (which are supplied) for the mathematics portion of the exam no personal calculators are permitted.

The prealgebra 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.

COMPASS WRITING SKILLS TEST

The COMPASS Writing Skills Test is used to determine whether the student has the required writing skills and knowledge to succeed in an entry level college composition course or if the student will 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.

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 at the level necessary to be successful in college level courses or if the student will benefit from Learning Support reading courses. The focus of the test is on the student's ability to understand the material read. The COMPASS reading placement test presents passages ranging from 190 to 300 words and on a reading level that is less difficult than most 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 and original works by ACT contracted item writers.

Return to test page

Click here for sample test questions!

Click here for our printable brochure!

A member of the University System of Georgia
Augusta State University • 2500 Walton Way • Augusta, Georgia 30904 - 2200

Last Modified: July 29, 2008 by FEJ
Send comments about this website to tds@aug.edu.


	COMPASS(Placement Exam) The COMPASS is a computer based placement test. Individuals will be notified by the Admissions Office if this test is necessary to complete the admission's process. Or, if you have any questions regarding requirements for taking COMPASS, you can contact Admissions at 737-1632. The Testing Computer Lab is open Tuesday - Thursday, 9 AM - 11 AM. Picture ID is required for testing. Individuals interested in study material can come to Testing and Disability Services to review study guides. Materials can also be purchased from the ASU Campus Bookstore. Click the links below for detailed monthly schedules!!!! July 2008 August 2008 September 2008 October 2008 More Information Regarding COMPASS COMPASS consists of 3 different tests: Arithmetic, Writing and Reading. 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. 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 untimed. COMPASS MATHEMATICS TEST At ASU the COMPASS Exam uses information obtained from questions focusing on numerical skills/prealgebra and algebra to make placement decisions. This placement exam is used to determine whether the student is ready for college level mathematics courses or if the student 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 (which are supplied) for the mathematics portion of the exam no personal calculators are permitted. The prealgebra 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. COMPASS WRITING SKILLS TEST The COMPASS Writing Skills Test is used to determine whether the student has the required writing skills and knowledge to succeed in an entry level college composition course or if the student will 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. 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 at the level necessary to be successful in college level courses or if the student will benefit from Learning Support reading courses. The focus of the test is on the student's ability to understand the material read. The COMPASS reading placement test presents passages ranging from 190 to 300 words and on a reading level that is less difficult than most 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 and original works by ACT contracted item writers. Return to test page Click here for sample test questions! Click here for our printable brochure! A member of the University System of Georgia Augusta State University • 2500 Walton Way • Augusta, Georgia 30904 - 2200 Last Modified: July 29, 2008 by FEJ Send comments about this website to tds@aug.edu.