Step 3: Complete Pre-Orientation Assessments COMPASS

1. What should I expect when I take the COMPASS test? Step 3: Complete Pre-Orientation AssessmentsCOMPASS

2. Josh Bishop Assessment Center Pendleton Campus

3. What is COMPASS? • An untimed computer-based placement test • Available on TCTC campuses • Students living more than 100 miles from a TCTC campus should contact me at placement@tctc.edu for information on remote testing • Assesses academic background in reading, writing, and mathematics • Used to determine initial course placement

4. Why do I need to take it? • Students arrive with different levels of background knowledge in core subjects • Beginning in courses that are far above personal background levels often leads to lack of success • Grades of D, F, W (withdrawal), WF (failing at time of withdrawal) typically means you must repeat the course • Repeated lack of success may require you to • Reconsider career options • Lose financial aid

5. How are the results used? • Scores are used to identify your academic strengths and weaknesses. • Advisors use scores to recommend appropriate level courses. • You may be expected to take lower level, pre-requisite courses, before taking required courses in major. • This should prepare you to be more successful in reaching your final academic goal. • COMPASS scores are extremely important! • Advisors want an accurate idea of your background knowledge!

6. Who needs to take COMPASS? • Anyone planning to take college level courses while at TCTC • Exceptions: • Anyone who has already completed college courses in English and mathematics at 100 level or higher with a “C” or better • Completed English but not math? Will need COMPASS math • Completed Math but not English? Will need COMPASS Reading and Writing • Anyone who took COMPASS or ASSET in high school – unless you feel you might score higher now • Students entering without a high school diploma or GED will take the ATB COMPASS assessment (process is the same as COMPASS) • Other notes: • COMPASS scores are valid for a three year period • SAT or ACT scores cannot be substituted • Students with documented disabilities should ask about taking Asset instead

7. Practice first! • Your COMPASS scores are important! • Advisors need an accurate picture of your background knowledge • Here are links to some helpful websites: • http://www.compasstestquestions.com where you can download an unofficial test • http://www.testprepreview.com/compass_practice.htm - links to self assessment modules at bottom of page • www.grammarbook.com • www.math.com - subject links on left side of page

8. Ready, set, assess! • Assessments available at specific times on each TCTC campus • No appointment is required • No charge for initial testing • Walk in hours are:

9. What will you need? • Bring: • A picture ID (driver’s license, military ID, official high school or college ID) • Pencils • An approved calculator – for list go to http://www.act.org/compass/student/calculator.html • Do not bring: • Scratch paper • Dictionaries • Children

10. When will I know my scores? • Test scores available immediately following test completion • Verbal explanation of scores provided when meeting with an advisor following orientation

11. Remember! • Scores are used for placement into many entry level courses. • It’s very important that you do your best! • For more detailed information go to http://www.tctc.edu/Content/Admissions/Placement_Testing.xml

12. What’s next? • Complete SmarterMeasure • Listen to “SmarterMeasure? What’s that?” • Log-in to the SmarterMeasure website to complete the assessment • When you have completed both COMPASS and SmarterMeasure, you’ll be ready to sign up for Orientation in Step 4.