SSCC Placement Tests: COMPASS and ESL/COMPASS

Placement Tests: COMPASS and ESL/COMPASS

• Who must take a placement test?
• May I use my ACT Test scores for college acceptance?
• What is the COMPASS test?
• What is the ESL/COMPASS test?
• When are the placement tests given?
• What is the procedure?
• What disability services are available?
• Why should I prepare for the placement test?
• How do I prepare for the placement test?
• How do I deal with test anxiety?
• How do I read my COMPASS score report?

Who must take a placement test?

All new students at South Seattle Community College must take either the Standard COMPASS or the ESL/COMPASS test for initial placement into college coursework and programs.

Standard COMPASS or ESL/COMPASS Test?

• Native English speakers take the Standard COMPASS Reading and Writing and the COMPASS Math.
• Non-native English speakers should begin testing with the ESL/COMPASS Grammar/Usage, Reading, Listening, and the COMPASS Math.   The test software will move examinees earning high scores in Grammar/Usage and Reading, into the Standard COMPASS Writing and Reading for placement into English courses. 
• COMPASS Math is the same test for Standard or ESL/COMPASS.

Previous college credit?

• If you have taken and passed a college level English (English composition) or Math (college algebra) course with at least a 2.0, you may not be required to take that portion of the COMPASS test. Submit an Incoming transcript evaluation form and official, sealed transcript to: 
  
  SSCC Credentials Evaluator
  South Seattle Community College
  6000 16th Ave SW, RSB 045
  Seattle, WA  98106-1499.

Taken COMPASS or ESL/COMPASS at another school within the last 2 years?

• COMPASS or ESL/COMPASS score reports from a test taken at another institution within the last two years will be accepted and recorded on the SSCC database if they are sent directly from that testing office (by FAX or mail) to Student Assessment Services.
• Ask the Testing Office where you took the test to FAX the official COMPASS score report to Student Assessment Services, FAX# 206-934-6766.  Policies at each school vary but you will probably be asked to come in person or to request in writing by FAX or mail.  You must include your SSCC student ID number and/or date of birth with the test scores for them to be recorded at SSCC.
• Note: SSCC accepts only COMPASS or ESL/COMPASS placement scores;  we cannot use ACCUPLACER results for placement.

May I use my ACT Test scores for college acceptance?

• Students with college-level ACT scores need not take that part of the COMPASS test for placement.
  
  
  • Minimums ENGLISH 19 and Reading 19
  • If your ACT scores are below these minimums for English, take the COMPASS Reading and Writing tests for placement.
    
    
  • Minimum Math 22
  • If your ACT math score is below this minimum for Math, take the COMPASS Math test for placement.
• Request an official ACT report be sent to South Seattle Community College at: http://www.actstudent.org/faq/faq.html
• Scores older than 2 years are not accepted.
• SAT scores are not accepted at this time.

What Are the Differences Between the ACT and SAT Tests?

ACT	SAT
English, Math, Reading, Science and optional writing	Critical Reading, Math , Writing
Accepted Nationally	Accepted Nationally
Curriculum-Based (what was learned in school)	Reasoning Based  (tests reasoning and verbal)
Multiple-choice	Math grid-ins (a series of boxes for your math answers)
Basic Fee:  $32.00	Basic Fee: $45.00
Pre ACT:  PLAN (10th), EXPLORE (8th-9th)	Pre SAT:  PSAT (11th)
Accepted by all 4 year colleges and universities. (Check college and university requirements before you submit your scores.)	Accepted by all 4 year colleges and universities (some may need SAT Reasoning + SAT subject tests.  Check college and university requirements before you submit your scores.)
Writing test optional	Writing test mandatory
Data from:  “ACT College Readiness Resources for Washington Students”

What is the COMPASS test?

The Standard COMPASS and the ESL/COMPASS tests are placement tests.

• You will earn scores reflecting your skill level in Reading and Writing standard American English, and in math. 
• These scores will place you into your first classes at SSCC. 
• After completing the Standard COMPASS or ESL/COMPASS test, you will arrange to meet with an advisor to discuss your plans and courses. 
• Enrolling for courses for which your skills are appropriate will increase your chance of success.
• If you demonstrate academic weaknesses, you can get help to improve underdeveloped skills before they interfere with your learning.
• KEEP THIS REPORT WITH YOU for advisors/counselors and for your instructors in your first classes.

The Standard COMPASS and ESL/COMPASS tests are:

• Computer delivered.  Only basic computer skills are necessary.  There will be testing staff in the lab to assist with any problems.   Be sure of your answers before moving on; you cannot return to a previous question.
• Multiple choice answers for all sections.
• Untimed.  Read instructions carefully and work at your own rate.  If you do not complete the test in one testing session, you may return to finish.  The average time for the test is 2-3 hours.
• Adaptive.  The test will offer more challenging questions as you answer accurately, or more basic questions if you answer incorrectly.  You may also be given a series of Diagnostic questions in Writing or Math. No two people will experience exactly the same test.
• Progressive.  The math test begins in Pre-Algebra and advances you to advanced levels as you answer correctly:  Algebra, College Algebra, Trigonometry.
• Comprehensive.  COMPASS also asks “demographic”questions about you:  your educational background, academic and career plans, and what assistance you might need at SSCC.  Your answers help counselors and advisors know you better so that they can assist you to be successful and help SSCC administrators improve student service.

Standard COMPASS Writing Skills Test

The Standard COMPASS Writing test asks the examinee to find errors and make corrections in an on-screen passage:

• Read through the passage for meaning.
• Locate errors in grammar, usage, or style.  Click on the sentence and replace that portion of the passage with one of five multiple-choice alternatives.  The first choice is always “no change”. 
• After a passage is completed, there are two general questions about the passage.  
• Always be sure you are finished before moving on to the next passage; you cannot go back to change answers.

The elements tested in the Writing test are:

• Usage/Mechanics:  punctuation, basic grammar and usage, sentence structure
• Rhetorical Skills:  strategy, organization, style

View a screen shot of the Writing Test or see "How to prepare" for Writing sample questions.

Examinees may also be presented with the Writing Diagnostic Test, assessing strengths and weaknesses in eight writing skills areas:

• Punctuation
• Verb Formation and Agreement
• Usage
• Relationships of Clauses
• Shifts in Construction
• Organization
• Capitalization

Standard COMPASS Reading Test

The Standard COMPASS Reading Test is an assessment of reading comprehension.  Passages are presented from books, essays journals and magazines commonly used in entry-level college courses.  They may be prose fiction, humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, or practical reading.  Five comprehension items are asked for each passage:

• referring items ask the reader to directly refer to the passage for the answer
• reasoning items require the reader to make appropriate inferences, develop a critical understanding of the text, or determine specific meanings of difficult, unfamiliar, or ambiguous words based on context.

See "How to prepare" for Reading sample questions.

Standard COMPASS Math Test

The COMPASS Math Test at SSCC has four levels:  Pre-Algebra, Algebra, College Algebra, and Trigonometry.

You will progress to the higher levels only if you answer enough of the questions on the previous level correctly.

A hand-held calculator (TI-30XIIs) is also available; no personal calculators are allowed.

See "How to prepare" for COMPASS Math sample questions.

Watch a video of the Microsoft Standard/Scientific calculator available on-screen during the test.  

Numerical Skills/Pre-Algebra

All COMPASS examinees at SSCC start in this portion of the math test.  Items range in content from basic arithmetic concepts and skills (e.g., basic operations with integers, fractions, and decimals), to the knowledge and skills considered prerequisites for a first algebra course (e.g., understanding and use of exponents, absolute values, and percentages).

Content area for Numerical Skills/Pre-Algebra:

• Basic operations with integers
• Basic operations with fractions
• Basic operations with decimals
• Exponents, square roots, and scientific notation
• Ratios and proportions
• Percentages
• Conversions between fractions and decimals
• Multiples and factors of integers
• Absolute values of numbers
• Averages (means, medians, and modes)
• Range
• Order concepts (greater than/less than)
• Estimation skills
• Number theory
• Counting problems and simple probability

Examinees scoring at least 55 on the Pre-Algebra test advance into the Algebra test, with items in three curriculum areas.

Content areas for Algebra

 Elementary Algebra

• Substituting values into algebraic expressions
• Setting up equations for given situations
• 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
• Linear inequalities in one variable

Intermediate Algebra

• Rational expressions
• Exponents and radicals
• Systems of linear equations in two variables
• Quadratic formulas
• Absolute value equations and inequalities

Coordinate Geometry

• Linear equations in two variables
• Distance formulas in the plane
• Graphing conics (circle, parabola, etc.)
• Graphing parallel lines
• Graphing perpendicular lines
• Graphing relations in the plane
• Graphing systems of equations and rational functions
• Midpoint formulas

Examinees scoring at least 65 on the Algebra test advance to College Algebra, which tests algebra knowledge and skills in a variety of content areas such as functions, operations with matrices, and factorials. 

Content area for College Algebra

• Functions
• Exponents
• Complex numbers
• Arithmetic and geometric sequences and series
• Factorials
• Matrices (basic operations, equations, and determinants)
• Systems of linear equations in three or more variables
• Logic and proof techniques
• Roots of polynomials

Examinees scoring at least 50 on College Algebra advance to Trigonometry, which tests the examinee’s understanding of trigonometric concepts and their application in problem solving.

Content areas of Trigonometry

• Trigonometric functions and identities
• Right-triangle trigonometry
• Trigonometric equations and inequalities
• Graphs of trigonometric functions
• Special angles (multiples of 30 and 45 degrees)
• Polar coordinates

What is the ESL/COMPASS test?

If your native language is NOT English you begin placement testing with the ESL/COMPASS test.

• You may place into non-credit or Transitional (credit) ESL classes to prepare you for college-level coursework.
• If you score very high in ESL/Grammar, test software will move you into the Standard Writing test for English course placement.
• If you score very high in the ESL/Reading, test software will move you into the Standard Reading test for English course placement.
• The math test is the same for Standard or ESL/COMPASS

There are three English parts to the ESL/COMPASS test

ESL Listening

• This test assesses a student's ability to understand spoken standard American English.
• Headphones will be used to hear the English spoken. 
• You may read the questions before listening to the spoken English.
• When you are ready, listen carefully as you can listen only one time.
• Items range from recognizing pictures which match spoken words or phrases at the lowest levels to answering questions about academic materials at the highest levels.
• Students may take notes while listening.
• ESL Listening Sample Questions - Used by Permission, ACT 2010. 

ESL Grammar/Usage

• This test assesses a student's ability to make corrections to standard American English grammar in two main areas:
• Sentence Elements including verbs, subjects and objects, modifiers, function words, punctuation, capitalization and word formation.
• Sentence Structure and Syntax including word order, relationships between and among clauses, agreement.
• Some items in this test present blanks in sentences and choices to fill in the blanks.  Other items offer a question with four options, based on a reading passage
• ESL Grammar/Usage Sample Questions - Used by Permission, ACT 2010. 

ESL Reading

• This test assesses a student's ability to understand written standard American English.
• Students will read passages, ranging in length from several sentences to many paragraphs, followed by multiple choice questions testing their ability to understand and infer meaning.
• Items range from recognizing pictures that match words at the lowest levels to answering questions about academic materials at the highest levels.
• Students also may be asked to interpret photographs, tables, charts or graphs, or to follow directions using a map or other diagram.
• ESL Reading Sample Questions - Used by Permission, ACT 2010. 

When are the placement tests given?

See the contact information page for testing hours and COMPASS test sessions.

Testing early can have advantages!

• In order to have better access to the testing lab and the best choice of classes, please complete your placement testing at least 2 months before classes begin.   This will allow you time to see an advisor and register for classes before they fill and close.
• There may be a wait-list for COMPASS testing during the month before classes begin.

COMPASS and ESL/ COMPASS (placement) Tests

• No appointments are given.  Seating is first-come, first-seated in our 20-computer testing lab.
• Come at the Start Time of the testing session for the best chance of seating.
• Have government-issued photo ID and receipt from the SSCC Cashier for test fee.
• Call the Assessment Info Line at 206-934-5349 or explore this web site for COMPASS details.

What is the procedure?

1. Prepare by reviewing the sample questions and refreshing math or English skills you once learned but have forgotten.
2. Select a test session from the Testing Calendar; plan to arrive at the START time.
3. Have your government-issued photo ID with you (driver’s license, state ID, passport).
4. Obtain a student ID number from the Registration Desk.
5. Pay the testing fee ($18.00) at the Cashier window.
6. Come to Robert Smith Building, Room 76, with your photo ID (driver’s license, state ID, passport, military ID, immigration ID card) and receipt. Please see "Getting to Campus" for directions, bus, and parking information.

• Parking is free on 16th Ave SW.  However, depending on time of day, you may have blocks to walk (and an uphill climb).  If parking on campus, the closest lot is the South, general (not staff) parking lot. There are kiosks for paying the $2 daily fee. Do not park in Visitor Parking; it is limited to 45 minutes and tickets will be issued.
• You will be asked if you wish to begin the test in the English (Reading and Writing) or the Math portion.
• A standard/scientific Microsoft calculator is available on-screen during the math test.  A hand-held calculator, TS-3-X11S, is also supplied during the test;  NO personal calculators are allowed.
• Scratch paper and pencils are provided.  Scratch paper will be collected.
• All personal items must stay on the floor; only scratch paper and approved calculator are allowed on the desktop.
• The COMPASS tests are untimed but average 2-3 hours for most examinees.  If you do not finish in one test session, you may return within one month to complete the test.  (Note:  If you lack a high school diploma or GED and are taking the test for Ability to Benefit/Financial Aid qualification, you must complete in one session.)
• You may arrive AFTER the start time; however, keep in mind that seating is first-come, first-served (you may be placed on a wait-list) and that the testing lab closes at the stated STOP times on the schedule. You may need to return another day to complete the test.  
• You may take a single portion of the test (eg. Math only); the fee is the same.
• No food or drink allowed in the test lab.  Cell phones must be turned OFF.
• No books, notes, dictionaries, or translators of any kind are allowed.
• You may take restroom or other breaks during the test session, but ONLY between test sections.
• Be sure of your answer before clicking “go on”; you may not go back to change answers.
• You can never be told the correct answers or which answers you missed.
• You may take restroom or other breaks during the test session; your test will be suspended and you will have a different question when you return and re-enter the test.
• Retesting is an exception.  There is a 3-month wait period to re-test and a second fee is charged.
• Your scores print when you have finished the test and you may then meet with advisors to discuss classes and plans at South.  Call 206-934-5387 to sign up for a Pre-Advising Workshop. You may also visit the Pre-Advising web site.

What disability services are available?

For those with special needs: 

There is no time limit for the COMPASS test but other accommodations may be available if arranged well in advance through Educational Support Services & Disability Services.

Visit the ESS/DS web page for more information.

Why should I prepare for the placement test?

• Your advisor or counselor will be guided in your course placement by the scores you receive in the COMPASS or ESL/COMPASS English and math tests.
• You will save time and tuition dollars if you achieve higher COMPASS scores, enabling you to begin at SSCC in higher level courses. See an example of how you can save money with COMPASS preparation.
• Retesting is the exception.  There is a three-month wait period and a second testing fee charged.

How do I prepare for the placement test?

Doing your best on the Placement test involves Attitude and Preparation.

Attitude

• Realize that your placement on this test will determine at what level you begin your college experience.  If you expect to rush through the test, you could place into pre-college (developmental) work which will require quarters of your time and energy and drain your college funds or financial aid which pays for only 45 credit hours.

• Expect to spend an entire morning or afternoon taking this test.  You will need to be focused, alert, and thoughtful.  The test is untimed.  This means that you are free (and are expected to) read the instructions VERY CAREFULLY so you understand how the test works.    You may take breaks between sections of the test, or if you become ill or tire, you may return at another test session to complete.

• Understand that there is a SCCD district wait period of 3 months and a second fee to retake the test.

• For a preview of the first steps enrolling at SSCC, view the video “Getting a Strong Start”

Preparation for English and Math

Visit the Seattle Community College District website for COMPASS Prep information: www.beforeyoutest.org

Attend one or more FREE COMPASS Test Prep Workshops:

• Tuesdays, 5-7 pm
• Wednesdays, 1:30-3:30
• University Center, Rm 202
• Call Shannon Waits at 206-934-3856

Enroll in the Basic & Transitional Studies COMPASS Prep Class

• Call that office at 206-934-5363

If you plan to prepare independently,

Native English Speakers:

• Standard COMPASS examinees should prepare with practice tests, sample questions, and review of Writing Skills and Reading.
• Practice English with interactive, true-to-format Writing (called “English”) and Reading tests at http://www.gsc.edu.
• View sample questions at Standard COMPASS Writing (PDF) (Used with Permission, ACT ©ACT2010) 
• View sample questions at Standard COMPASS Reading (PDF) (Used with Permission, ACT ©ACT2010) 
• Review grammar at:  www.chompchomp.com
• Review grammar and style texts

Non-Native English Speakers:

• ESL/COMPASS examinees should review the Listening, ESL Reading, and Grammar sample questions.  Also practice the Standard Writing Skills and Reading test samples (above) if you believe your English skills may be college level.  
• ESL/COMPASS Grammar/Usage (PDF) (Used with Permission, ACT ©ACT2010) 
• ESL/COMPASS Reading (PDF) (Used with Permission, ACT ©ACT2010)
• ESL/COMPASS Listening  (PDF) (Used with Permission, ACT ©ACT2010) 
• View a screen view of the Listening test with "how to" directions.

COMPASS Math is given to both native and non-native English speakers.

Prepare at:

• COMPASS Math Pre-Algebra- Algebra (PDF)   (Used with Permission, ACT ©ACT2010) 
• COMPASS Math College Algebra - Trigonometry (PDF)   (Used with Permission, ACT ©ACT2010) 
• Refresh or learn math skills.  Choose from over 1,100 math topics  (developmental math through Calculus) with lessons and problem solutions explained at:  www.khanacademy.org.
• Review math with tutorials and practice quizzes at:   www.math.com, www.purplemath.com
• Review math texts.

How do I read my COMPASS score report?

See sample score reports and brief explanations of the report components:

• Standard COMPASS score report (PDF)
• ESL COMPASS score report (PDF)

Explore the wealth of information at South's new Pre-Advising web site.