1. College Admissions Testing
COMPASS Test
SAT Reasoning Test
ACT
By Lue Healy
Effingham County High School

2. Where you are going to College determines which test you need to take!
Check your chosen college’s website for more information about testing.
Although all Georgia Colleges can use the SAT or ACT for admissions and placement purposes, most two- year colleges and technical colleges do not require the SAT or ACT.

3. What is the COMPASS TEST?
A computerized test that helps evaluate your skills.
An easier test than the SAT or ACT.
A test whose results will be used to admit (or not admit) you to 2 year colleges and technical college programs as well as to place you in appropriate coursework.
DO YOUR BEST so you don’t have to repeat course material that you already know!

4. Who should take the COMPASS TEST
Students who want to attend TECHNICAL COLLEGES like Savannah or Ogeechee Tech
Students who want to attend 2 year colleges like East Georgia College or Middle GA College
Students seeking admission to 4 year colleges should NOT take the COMPASS TEST. You cannot use it for admission to a four year college..

5. What does the COMPASS Test Evaluate?
Writing skills
Math Skills
Reading skills

6. HOW MUCH DOES THE COMPASS TEST COST?
In most cases, the COMPASS Test is FREE but you must apply for admission and pay the application fee for the technical school or 2 year college of your choice!

7. How do I sign up for the COMPASS Test?
After you apply for a 2 year or technical college, sign up with your chosen college for a time to go to take the COMPASS Test.

8. I took the COMPASS – now what do I do with my scores?
Look at your scores carefully.
Compare your scores with the scores that your chosen 2- year or technical college lists as acceptable. Acceptable scores vary by college and by program of study!
If your scores place you in a range so that you will have to take remedial classes, you may want to re-test before entering college.
If you need remediation in more than two areas (math, reading, writing), you will be denied admission to many colleges.
The HOPE Scholarship will not pay for remedial classes at 2 and 4 year colleges. The HOPE GRANT will pay for remedial classes at technical schools.

9. Example: Fall 2012 Testing Requirements at East GA College
Students can exempt the COMPASS Test at 2 year and technical colleges by getting the following scores on the:
SAT – English 430>
Math >
ACT – English 17>
Math 17>
GHSGT English/Language Arts 235 >

10. Passing COMPASS SCORES
These scores are passing COMPASS Scores and will prevent you from taking remedial classes!
Reading 74
English 60
Mathematics 37
If you test lower than the above scores, you will be placed in learning support classes that will NOT count toward your degree and that will NOT be covered by the HOPE Scholarship even if you are eligible. You will not be admitted to East Georgia if you need learning support in all three areas!

11. Minimum COMPASS Scores
If any of your scores are below the minimum listed below, you WILL NOT BE ADMITTED TO East Georgia regardless of your other scores.
Reading 62
English 32
Mathematics 20

12. Can I take the COMPASS Test more than once?
In most cases, Yes, but you may have to pay to re-take the test.
Most colleges will not let you retest
unless you can prove that you have done
remediation to improve your scores.
Try hard the first time you test!

13. Should I take the SAT or ACT ?
YES – If you plan to enter a four-year college
YES – If your 2 year college program requires it
YES – If you are strong in Math or English. Certain high scores will exempt you from taking the Regent’s exam and offer you potential scholarship opportunities. WHEN IN DOUBT, SEE YOUR COUNSELOR!

14. ACT or SAT???
Whichever test you choose to take, make sure you do these two things when you register:
The ECHS high school code –
The SEHS high school code –
Include your high school code so we will have your scores on file.
Send your scores to four colleges since it is included in the price. This will cost more if you do it later!

15. ACT – American College Test
Consists of four parts: Science Reasoning, Math, English, and Reading Comprehension
Each section is scored on 1-36 scale
These section scores are then averaged
together to get a composite score of 1-36
There is an optional writing section
However, if you use the ACT as your college admissions test, the writing part is NOT optional. You MUST take the WRITING section to be admitted. Check with your college of choice to be sure!

16. ACT Writing Section Scored on a 1-36 scale
Not averaged in the composite score
Writing section is averaged with the English Score for a Writing/English Composite score that is separate from the regular composite score

17. Sample ACT Score English 28 Sci Reasoning 25 Math 24 Reading comp 27
Total
104/4 = 26
Composite = 26

18. ACT Sample Score Writing score 25 + English 28 = 53
Example of ACT writing/English Composite score
Writing score English 28 = 53
53 Divided by 2 = 26 ½
26½ rounds to 27
English/Writing composite = 27

19. It came in the mail but WHAT does my ACT score mean?
ACT average score is
Georgia Southern U admission requires a 21 composite score this year
Univ of GA middle 50% of admitted students have ACT composites

20. How much does the ACT Cost and how do I sign up?
This year’s cost with the writing section is
$ Pay by check, credit card or money order.
DO NOT SEND CASH!
Sign up by going to
You have to sign yourself up – the school cannot do it for you!

21. Taking off with the SAT –I Reasoning Test
Three parts: Verbal, Math, and Writing
Each part is worth 800 points or 2400 points total
The writing section is composed of a multiple choice section as well as an essay section.
Average score 1500

22. What kind of SAT Score Do I Need this Year?
Georgia Southern - must have minimum of 1010 on the math and verbal combined (does not include writing score)
GSU Eagle Incentive Program (math and verbal added together , not counting writing)
UGA’s middle 50% of SAT scores last year were (math and verbal)
Armstrong Atlantic State University’s preferred scoresV-460 , M- 440.

23. What about the SAT Writing Section?
Writing section is required
Consists of a multiple choice and an essay part
Essay is scored by independent readers
Maximum score is 800
Colleges vary on how they use the writing score: at UGA, this score is VERY important.

24. SAT Subject Tests Most students do NOT need to take Subject tests
Subject tests are not required by most colleges unless you are applying to an elite school
If you score high enough on subject tests, you may receive college credit for your score.
Subject tests are given in specific subjects such as biology, chemistry, Spanish, US History, etc.
If applying to a school that requires them, subject tests should be taken as soon as you complete a course in a content area.
Subject tests are scored on a scale.

25. I Don’t Know the Answer, Should I Guess?
COMPASS and ACT
There is NO penalty for guessing on either the COMPASS or the ACT
You should ALWAYS guess on the COMPASS or the ACT if you don’t know the answer.
SAT
There IS a penalty for guessing on the SAT!
If you have absolutely no clue, DO NOT GUESS on the SAT!
If you can narrow the choices to three, you should ALWAYS guess!

26. How do I sign up for the SAT and how much does it cost?
Cost is $49 – you may pay by using your credit card, money order or check. DO NOT SEND CASH!
Sign up at
You must sign yourself up; the school cannot register you!

27. Fee Waivers for the SAT and ACT – do I qualify?
You may qualify if you receive free or reduced lunch
You can also qualify if your parents meet certain financial guidelines – you must present tax returns to verify.
Talk to your counselor for specifics. Quantities of fee waivers are very limited and we have to spread these among qualified students!
After testing on an SAT fee waiver, you can also receive four vouchers for waiving college application fees.

28. Differences in Testing Requirements between 2 year colleges and technical schools and 4 year colleges in Georgia
Two year colleges and technical schools in Georgia vary in their SAT or ACT requirements for admissions. Check the website for latest info.
Two year and technical colleges will administer the COMPASS test for admission and placement.
Four year colleges in Georgia are requiring the SAT or the ACT
All four year colleges are requiring the writing section
Colleges will combine your best scores on the SAT and sometimes on the ACT

29. SAT or ACT Required for 4 year Colleges and Universities!
All four year colleges in the state of Georgia and most colleges in other states require an SAT or ACT score.
All four year colleges in GA require an SAT or ACT score that includes the writing section