COMPASS Placement Test

Description:

COMPASS [1] (COMputer-adaptive Placement Assessment and Support System) is an untimed, computerized test that helps Davenport evaluate skills and place students into appropriate courses. The test has three (3) sections:

• COMPASS Writing - requires students to edit text that has errors in grammar, punctuation, usage, and style
• COMPASS Reading - asks the students to find main ideas, locate explicit information, and draw conclusions from information in the passage
• COMPASS Math - covers a variety of items from pre-algebra to college algebra

COMPASS ESL (English as a Second Language) is also available.

The COMPASS placement test is computer based, multiple-choice and untimed.  For more information visit the ACT/COMPASS web site [1].

DU Course Credit [2] awarded for COMPASS Tests.

Testing Sites:

All Davenport campuses.  Click here [3] for directions.

Cost:

• DU students (or applying to DU) - no cost

Test Duration:

The test is untimed.  Campuses require testing appointments.   Click here [4] for testing hours and e-mail/phone contacts for making an appointment. 

Recommended Appointment time:

• 2 hours appointment recommended for complete COMPASS test.
• 1 1/2 hour appointment for a sub-test (such as writing only, reading only, or math only)

Retake Rule:

DU students make take any sub-test or the complete test 2 times.

ID on the Day of Testing: 

Candidate must bring one form of picture identification such as a passport, a state issued driver's license, a state issued ID card, a student ID or an employee ID.  Candidates will not be tested if they fail to present appropriate ID.

Testing Center Rules:

Prohibited Items – Personal items (cell phones, backpacks, purses, MP3 players, etc.) are not allowed during testing.  They may be left in a car or placed in an area designated by DU staff.

Provided Items –

• Scratch paper (will be collected after test) & pencils
• Erasable Board & Marker
• Calculator will be provided on computer screen for the math portion; students may bring a calculator if it meets the ACT/COMPASS guidelines [5]

Score Results:

Students must see their admission representative for their test results.

Accommodations:

For more information, please go to the DU Disability Services [6] Web site.

Remote COMPASS Testing

For non-DU students taking COMPASS for placement at a college other than Davenport University, you must:

• Register for COMPASS Remote Test with the college you plan to attend
• Receive an e-mail with your COMPASS registration number
• $25 proctoring fee paid on day of testing (no checks, only cash or credit card)
• Given only at the W.A. Lettinga campus in Grand Rapids
• Call 616-554-5614 to schedule an appointment

Study Resources:

Visit http://www.act.org/compass/student/index.html [1] for additional information and sample test questions. You can also find many helpful, free videos on http://patrickjmt.com [7] or http://www.khanacademy.org [8].