COMPASS Diagnostic Testing:

1
COMPASS Diagnostic Testing

• Some Guidelines

2
Placement Test Guidelines

• You must take placement tests in English and/or
  math if
• You are still in high school.
• You are planning to enroll in six or more credit
  hours in one semester.
• You want to take a math or an English course.
• You want to take a course that has a math or an
  English prerequisite.
• You have accumulated 15 credit hours at this
  institution.

3
Placement Exemptions

• You may be exempt from some or all placement
  testing if
• You scored a 550 on the math or verbal sections
  of the SAT.
• You scored at least a 21 on the reading, writing,
  or math sections of ACT.
• You are transferring English or math credits from
  another university AND the registrar at Wor-Wic
  has awarded you transfer credit.

4
Purpose of Evaluation

• The three tests (mathematics, reading, and
  writing) determine which math and English courses
  you should take first.
• Placement in the first level of developmental
  reading or developmental writing will affect your
  ability to attend the college as a full-time
  student.
• It is critical that you take these tests very
  seriously. If you do not feel prepared today,
  please return at another time so that the test
  results will be accurate.

5
Test Features

• Before you begin the test, you will be prompted
  to answer several survey questions about your
  reasons for choosing Wor-Wic.
• You do not need keyboarding skills to complete
  the tests, but you should be able to point and
  click with a computer mouse.
• Each multiple-choice test is untimed.
• Questions are selected randomly from a large pool
  of test items. The level of difficulty,
  therefore, will vary throughout the testing
  session.

6
Test Features

• There is not a set number of questions for each
  test. The computer program determines your
  placement in each area based on your responses to
  the questions you are given.
• You may change an answer when you are on a
  screen, but you may not go back to a screen after
  you have clicked the Go On button.
• You may not skip any question. If you are not
  sure of an answer, you must click on your best
  guess.

7
Test Features

• When the computer program has enough information
  to make a placement, you will be taken out of one
  test and moved to the next. You do not need to
  see a lab assistant to move on.
• Your scores and initial placements will appear on
  the screen after you have completed all tests.
• Please ask a testing proctor to print out your
  scores. Do not print them and do not exit from
  the program until you have spoken with a proctor.

8
Features of Mathematics Test

• It assesses your understanding of
  numerical/pre-algebra, algebra and college
  algebra skills.
• It provides access to an online scientific
  calculator.
• It includes three types of mathematics questions
• Basic skillsperforming a sequence of operations
• Applicationapplying a sequence of operations in
  complex ways
• Analysisdemonstrating conceptual knowledge

9
Sample COMPASS Math Screen
10
Mathematics Skills for the Numerical
Skills/Prealgebra Section

• Operations with Integers
• Operations with Fractions
• Operations with Decimals
• Positive Integer Exponents, Square Roots, and
  Scientific Notation
• Ratios and Proportions
• Percentages
• Averages (Means, Medians, and Modes)

11
Mathematics Skills for the Algebra Section

• Substituting Values into Algebraic Expressions
• Setting up Equations for Given Situations
• Basic Operations with Polynomials
• Factoring Polynomials
• Linear Equations with One Variable
• Exponents and Radicals
• Rational Expressions
• Linear Equations in Two Variables

12
Sample COMPASS Math TestsPlease complete at
least ONE of the following practices to help you
determine if additional practice is needed.

• http//www.clark.edu/about_clark/COMPASS/pre_alg.p
  hp
• http//www.clark.edu/about_clark/COMPASS/alg.5.php
  
• http//www.clark.edu/about_clark/COMPASS/alg.php
• Source Clark College web site

13
Features of Reading Test

• It requires you to answer questions after reading
  a non-fiction passage.
• It assesses skills in two areas referring and
  reasoning
• Referring finding information directly
  stated in the passage
• Reasoning making inferences based on the
  reading and determining meaning through
  context clues

14
Sample COMPASS Reading Screen
15
Sample COMPASS Reading Tests Please complete at
least ONE of the following practices to help you
determine if additional practice is needed.

• http//www.clark.edu/about_clark/COMPASS/reading.p
  hp
• http//www.clark.edu/about_clark/COMPASS/reading3.
  php
• Source Clark College web site

16
Features of Writing Skills Test

• It requires you to evaluate passages which
  contain errors in grammar, punctuation, or style.
  You must identify and correct any errors.
• It assesses two areas sentence structure skills
  and rhetorical skills
• Sentence structure skillsapplication of
  punctuation, grammar, and usage rules
• Rhetorical skillsanalysis of writing strategy,
  organization and style of passages

17
Sample COMPASS Writing Screen
18
Sample COMPASS Writing Tests Please complete at
least ONE of the following practices to help you
determine if additional practice is needed.

• http//www.clark.edu/about_clark/COMPASS/writing1.
  php
• http//www.clark.edu/about_clark/COMPASS/writing3.
  php
• Source Clark College web site

19
Resources During Testing

• Graphing calculators are available on loan.
  Because ACT restricts the type of graphing
  calculator permitted, you may not use your own.
• Scrap paper is available on the computer towers.
• Pen or pencil may be used.
• Dictionaries and notes are prohibited.

20
Suggestions for Testing

• Because the tests are untimed, you should not
  rush through any test.
• You may scroll through passages to help you
  answer questions.
• In the writing test, it is important that you
  force yourself to click on each sentence or
  sentence part to examine it for accuracy.
  Options for correcting the sentence part will be
  displayed each time you click on a section.

21
Restrictions During Testing

• All electronic devices (cell phones, Ipods,
  pagers) should be turned off and out of sight
  during the test session.
• Bathroom breaks may be taken between, not during,
  any of the three tests.
• You may not leave the room unless you have been
  given permission by a testing proctor.

22
Retesting Options

• You are allowed to retest one time only on any or
  all parts of the test.
• When you opt to retest, your first score is
  discarded and the retest score determines
  placement.
• You should not retest unless you feel very
  confident that the score you have received does
  not reflect your ability.
• Review is recommended before any retest.

23
Closing Thoughts

• You have already been admitted to Wor-Wic. These
  tests simply help us make your experience here
  more successful.
• If you have questions at any time while you are
  testing, please raise your hand so that a testing
  proctor can assist you.