Assessment Procedures

Students take the three-part COMPASS assessment to help academic advisors determine skill levels in reading, writing and mathematics.

The COMPASS is used to place students into appropriate courses and not to determine whether a student is admitted to the college. The COMPASS is taken after a student is admitted to the college.

Students may take the COMPASS free one time at a JCTC campus prior to enrolling in classes. The COMPASS or portion of the assessment can be taken again for a small fee.

While the COMPASS is not a timed assessment, most people need 90 minutes to two hours to complete all three parts.  It is important to take the COMPASS seriously.

Practice assessments are available. See links below.

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

Who must take the COMPASS?

• The COMPASS test is mandatory for all first time freshmen who have not taken the ACT/SAT or who do not meet the ACT score requirements. 
• Students must take the COMPASS test after orientation. 
• Transfer students who have not completed a freshman English or college level Mathematics class (equivalent to KCTCS 140 MT or higher) must also take the Compass test prior to advising and registration.

Who does not have to take the COMPASS?

• Exempt students must have a copy of their ACT/SAT scores on file in Student Records office and bring a copy of ACT/SAT report to registration for their advisor.
• Students with the following ACT/SAT scores in the following areas are EXEMPT from the COMPASS test:

ACT	SAT (After March 2005)
18+ in English	430 or higher in Writing
20+ in Reading	450 or higher in Reading
22+ in Math for MAT 150 (MT 150)	490 or higher in Mathematics
19-21 in Math for MAT 146 (MT 145) or   MAT 150 +100MAT (MT 150 +MT 100)	460 to 500 in Mathematics

Longevity of Test Scores:

• For the purpose of course placement, ACT/SAT scores for reading and writing are considered valid for five years. 
• Math scores are valid for two years. 
• Students with scores older than this must take the COMPASS.

COMPASS:

• Compass scores in reading and English are considered valid for five years and scores in mathematics are considered valid for two years. 
• Students who have not taken college English and tested more than five years ago and/or students who have not taken mathematics and tested more than two years ago should retest at no charge.

Charges:

• Students may take the COMPASS test once at no charge.
• For subsequent retests there will be a charge of $7.00 per section (reading, English, or mathematics).

Exceptions:

• If the COMPASS is required as a post-test in a course students will not be charged.
• First-time students who applied and tested more than 2 years ago and never enrolled will be treated as new students and will not be charged.
• Other exceptions may be made by written request from the Academic Deans, Division Chairs or Director of Advising.

Limits of Retesting

• After the initial assessment, students will be allowed to retest in each subject (reading, English, and mathematics) twice before the start of the first day of class.
• The highest result in each subject will be used for placement.
• Therefore, a student could take each section three times, the first test at no charge and up to two other times at a charge of $7.00 per subject each time.

ALL ACT information may be found at www.act.org