Assessment Centers (Placement Testing)

Compass Placement Testing

What is it?

• The COMPASS placement test is a three-part computerized test that determines a student’s reading, writing and mathematics skills. 
• It is used by academic advisors to place students into appropriate classes.

Who needs it?

• New (first time to college) students
  • 1) who have not taken ACT/SAT or Compass in high school or
  • 2) did take the ACT/SAT but did not meet the score requirements or
  • 3) did take the ACT/SAT but scores are no longer valid*.
• See score requirements in table below:
  • Transfer (coming from another college) students –who have not completed at least 12 college-level credit hours from a regionally accredited institution, including English and math.
  • Current (in class this semester) or Returning (previously attended JCTC) students - who have not completed English or math and do not have valid* scores.

Who does not need it?

• Students who have valid* scores in ACT/SAT/Compass do not need to take the Compass Placement test but will be placed in college level classes.

ACT	SAT(After March 2005)	Compass
18+ in English	430 or higher in Writing	74 in English
20+ in Reading	450 or higher in Reading	85 in Reading
22+ in Math for MAT 150 (MT 150)	490 or higher in Mathematics	50 in Math(Algebra)

Longevity of Test Scores:

• ACT/SAT/Compass scores for reading and writing are valid for five years*. 
       - Scores for math are valid for two years*. 
       - Students with scores older than this and have not completed English and math must take the COMPASS.

How to prepare to take the test?  See website below for practice tests. 

• www.act.org/compass
• http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/notorious.htm#xx
• www.sosmath.com/algebra/fraction/frac3/frac3.html
• www.sosmath.com/algebra/algebra.html 

Where to take the test?  See individual campus information below:

• Bullitt County Campus 
• Carrollton Campus 
• Downtown Campus 
• Southwest Campus 
• Technical Campus 

PLEASE NOTE:

• Cell phones are not allowed to be turned on in the testing area for any reason.

Additional contacts:

• KCTCS On-line class log in
• JCTC eLearning HelpDesk
• Financial aid
• Kentuckiana College Access
• Federal Student Aid (FASFA)