1. National Park Community College
COMPASS Orientation
National Park Community College
The Testing Center
Room 217, Campus Center
Welcome to the Testing Center at National Park Community College!
This presentation will take a few minutes to help you understand a little more about the test you are preparing to take.

2. What is the COMPASS?
COMPASS (Computer-adaptive Placement Assessment and Support Systems) is a computerized testing program from ACT, designed to find out your skill levels and place you into the best courses that can help you reach your academic goals.
COMPASS stands for Computer Adaptive Placement Assessment and Support Systems. This is a computerized testing program from the ACT company. The test is designed to find out your skill levels and allows us to place you into the best courses that can help you achieve your academic goals. We use the assessment to find out where you are right now it three subject areas. The results of this test will NOT keep you from coming to college. It will let us know if you need to brush up before taking college level classes.

3. Before I Test… Know Testing Center Hours Brush-up on Skills
The Testing Center
Second Floor, Room 217, Gerald Fisher Campus Center
Brush-up on Skills
Online and face-to-face tutoring are available
Contact NPCC Career Services at
Bring valid photo ID to take your test and know your social security number.
It is very important to brush up on your skills before taking the test. Online programs and face-to-face tutoring are available. Ask the Testing Center or Career Services staff for more information.

4. Check-in Process
Greet the Testing Center staff person at the front desk who will instruct you on the check-in process
Have your photo ID available and make sure your cell phone is completely turned off.
Scratch paper, pencil, and calculator will be provided
You will be escorted to a testing computer
When you arrive to take the test, greet the Testing Center staff person for check-in instructions.
Show your ID to the Testing Center staff person.
You will then be escorted to a testing computer to get started!

5. Important to Note!
The COMPASS test is available every day the Testing Center is open.
No appointment is necessary.
You may take the entire exam at one time or you may take one section at a time. For example, you may take the Math on one day, the Reading on another day, and the Writing at another time.
The test is untimed, so you may take breaks at any time you need, in between each exam or even during the exam.
No need to stress yourself out about taking the entire exam at one time. The COMPASS test is available every day. No appointment is necessary. Breaks are allowed during the test or in between tests.

6. Starting the Test
On the first screen you see, you will enter your LAST name along with your 9 digit social security number. Do not use spaces or dashes.
Then click the circle to begin!

7. COMPASS Introduction
Al the lower right corner of the opening screen, you see the words “click here to go on”. Click there to start your test.

8. Demographics
The next screen will ask for information about you. Fill it in as accurately as possible so we can match your assessment to your records. When you have filled in all of the boxes, click the button on the bottom of the screen to go on.

9. Things to Know: COMPASS testing is on the computer
The mouse is used to answer the questions
Be sure to read the BLUE, on-screen directions carefully
Use the HELP button on the top right, at any time during the test, for additional assistance
Some important things to know:
The COMPASS test is given on the computer. If you are not comfortable with computers, the testing center staff can help you with tutorials to practice using computers before you test.
The mouse is used to answer the questions. If you do not know how to use a mouse for a computer, let the staff know.
Be sure to read the BLUE on screen directions CAREFULLY. Directions will vary from section to section.
Use the HELP button on the top right section of your screen at ANY time during testing for additional information.

10. Testing Accommodations:
Test is self-paced, work at your own speed
Scratch paper and pencil provided
Multiple choice questions only
Calculator available on the computer
The COMPASS test is self-paced, you can work at your own speed. Don’t feel rushed.
Pencils and scratch paper are available for you to use. Just ask one of the testing center staff members before you begin.
All of the questions are multiple choice.
If you need one, there is an on screen calculator available. To use it, you can type the numbers using the keyboard or click on the numbers with your mouse.

11. Review Practice or Begin Testing
At this point there will be some practice activities to get you comfortable with the program. You can repeat the practice several times, however, once you begin the test, you cannot return to the practice area.

12. Reading Writing Math What will be on the Test?
There are three sections to the COMPASS test. Reading, Writing and Math.

13. Reading Placement Answer multiple-choice questions about a passage
One side of the screen has the passage and the other side has the question with the answer choices
Targets the areas of reading comprehension and vocabulary
In the Reading Placement section you will answer multiple choice questions about a passage taken from an article or book. One side of the screen will have the passage and the other will have a question with the answer choices. This section targets reading comprehension and vocabulary knowledge.

14. Reading Tutorial
This screen will give you an idea of what a reading passage looks like. You will see the passage, note the button at the bottom of the passage box that says “MORE”. This indicates that the passage continues. To see the rest of the passage, click the MORE button. On the right you will see a question with four possible answers. You will also see a BLUE box with directions. Below the question, you will see small numbered boxes. These boxes indicate the number of questions for this passage. Be sure to click on each numbered box to answer all of the questions for that passage before going on. At the lower right corner is the button to use to GO ON. This will start the next passage.

15. Reading Sample
This is an actual passage and question from a test. The information has been blurred on purpose. Notice the MORE button and the boxes below the question. There are 5 questions for this passage. Remember, click on those boxes to answer each question for the passage.

16. Writing Placement Find and correct errors in essays
Answer questions about essay after editing
Apply knowledge of punctuation, basic grammar, and sentence structure
Apply skills in organization, style, and strategy
In the Writing section, you will find and correct errors in essays then answer questions about the essay after you have finished with editing. To find the errors, you will apply your knowledge of punctuation, basic grammar and sentence structure. To answer the questions about the essays, you will use your skills in organization, style and strategy.

17. Writing Message
This is an example of the BLUE instructions screen. Remember to read this screen carefully. This explains that some sentences may have several corrections, but not every sentence will have corrections.

18. Writing Tutorial
The writing practice section will show you HOW to edit the essay. Again, pay close attention to the instructions in the BLUE area. Don’t rush through reading them.

19. Writing Reminder
This is one of the most important reminders in the Writing section. If you forget to correct an error, it will be counted as a wrong answer.

20. Writing Sample
This is an actual screen shot of the writing section. It is a good idea to click on the first word of each paragraph and decide if any part of the highlighted section needs to be changed. Choose your response, then click on the next part of the sentence. Move sentence by sentence through the essay.
The essay may be longer than the box. Use the MORE button on the bottom of the box to see the rest of the essay. When you reach the bottom, you can use the MORE button that will appear at the top of the box. When you are finished, click the button Finished Editing Essay.

21. Math Placement
Work problems in areas from basic operations and pre-algebra to college algebra and geometry
Answer multiple-choice questions
A calculator is available on the computer
The Math Placement Assessment will have you work problems in areas from basic operations and pre-algebra to college algebra and geometry. The answers will all be multiple choice. Scratch paper and pencils are available from the testing center staff. You may bring a calculator or use the one available on the computer.

22. Math Tutorial
There will be a short tutorial and practice before the test to show you what a problem and the answer selections will look like. Remember to read carefully the instructions in the BLUE boxes.

23. Math Sample
This is a screen shot of an actual problem. In the upper right corner you will see the button to use the calculator and the button for Help. Solve the problem then choose your answer. Notice that Not Given is one of your choices.

24. How Many Questions? The number of possible questions is unlimited.
The COMPASS test is a progressive computer-adaptive test.
The computer program will automatically adjust the level of difficulty of the next question based upon the answers given on the current question until it is able to determine a placement score.
The number of possible questions is unlimited. This program is a progressive computer adaptive test. This means that the program will automatically adjust the level of difficulty of the next question based upon the answers given on the current question until a placement score is determined. The questions won’t get harder or easier, the program will move around until an accurate score is determined.

25. How Much Time Is Allowed?
The COMPASS is not timed.
Each test section usually takes about 30 to 45 minutes to complete.
Most people finish within 2 ½ to 3 hours.
If you need to stop testing before finishing, your test can be saved to be finished at a later time.
Unlike the ACT or SAT, the COMPASS test is NOT timed. Take your time and don’t feel rushed. The adviser uses your scores to place you in your courses.
Each section usually takes about 30 to 45 minutes to complete. Although most people finish within 2 ½ to 3 hours, some have finished much later.
If you need to stop testing before finishing, let a testing center staff person know immediately. Your test can be saved to be finished at a later time.

26. Test Scores
A copy of your score report will print automatically as soon as you finish.
A Testing Center Staff member will review these scores with you.
Because this test is given on the computer, a copy of your score report will print as soon as you finish. A testing center staff member will review these scores with you. This copy is for you to keep. Bring it with you when you meet with your advisor.

27. Academic Advisors
Once you have completed your COMPASS exam, you will need to schedule an appointment with an Academic Advisor.
The Advising office is located on the 2nd floor of the Fisher Campus Center Building down the hall from the Testing Center.
Once you have completed your COMPASS test, you will need to meet with your adviser. Schedule an appointment with your adviser as soon as possible to discuss your results.

28. Understanding the Scores
This is not a pass/fail test; however minimum scores are required.
Depending on your score, you may be required to attend tutoring to brush up on your reading/writing/math skills before retaking the COMPASS test.
Depending on your score, it may also be necessary to take some Basic Studies courses before you can enroll in college-level courses.
There is not a pass/fail test; however minimum scores are required. It may be necessary to attend tutoring or take some Basic Studies courses before you can enroll in college level courses. We use the scores to determine where you need to start.

29. Basic Studies Courses Foundations of Reading and Writing
Composition1 + EE = Accelerated Learning Program
Speed Reading
Foundations of College Math
Foundations of Technical Math
Our basic studies courses are designed to bring your skill up to college ready in the three areas tested. There are two levels in both Reading and Writing. Reading is designed to improve your reading speed, vocabulary and comprehension. Writing focuses on the skills need to write good papers for your college classes.
Math has two levels. Foundations and Technical Math will prepare you for College Algebra.

30. Scoring Minimums COMPASS Scores Courses Required Writing: 48 or Below
Alternative Placement
49-66
Foundations of Reading and Writing
67-77
Composition 1 + EE = Accelerated Learning Program
78-100
Composition 1
Reading:
69 or Below
70-76
77-82
Speed Reading
83-100
No Reading Required
Your adviser will help you understand where your scores have placed you and how this will affect your schedule.

31. Scoring Minimums COMPASS Scores Courses Required Math: Pre-Algebra:
28 or Below
And up
Fundamentals of College Math 1A
Algebra:
20 or Below
Foundations of Technical Math
21 up
Technical Math
College Algebra or Math for General Education
College Algebra:
0-100
College Algebra
Your adviser will help you understand where your scores have placed you and how this will affect your schedule.

32. Retaking the COMPASS
You may retake all sections or just one particular section to improve your scores after tutoring.
NPCC will always use the highest test score of each section to determine your course placement.
If you would like to retake the COMPASS test we can help. NPCC will use the highest score in each area no matter how many times you take the test. You can retake the entire test or just one particular section. Ask the Testing Center staff for details.

33. Want to Brush Up ?
and are great for math!
is good to review writing skills!
has lots of reading, math, and writing practice problems!
To see more test samples:
These are some of the free online resources you can use for practice. We HIGHLY recommend that all students either work with the tutor or do some online practice exams before testing.
Before or after you have taken the COMPASS test, the testing center staff can set you up with free tutoring. This program focuses on problems similar to the ones on the COMPASS test.

34. Don’t Forget…! Your photo ID! Know your social security number!
Get plenty of rest!
Read all the directions and each question carefully!
Concentrate so you can do your best!
Remember that you will need a photo ID and know your social security number. Read all of the directions and each question carefully. There is no need to rush. Concentrate and do your best. We hope this presentation has been helpful.

35. Questions?
If you have any questions, ask our staff or please call The Testing Center at Thank you and Welcome to National Park Community College!
If you have any questions, please talk to our staff. We are here to help you.
If you feel comfortable proceeding, you may go to the Testing Center to take your test.
However, we highly recommend either working with the tutor or doing some practice exams online before testing.
Good luck! And welcome to NPCC.