COMPASS
This
assessment allows you and the college staff to work together to
help you succeed in your courses. COMPASS scores indicate areas
where you may need help and which courses should be a starting
point for your educational career.
Frequently
Asked Questions
What
is the COMPASS Assessment?
COMPASS
provides important information about individual skills and preparation
for college-level courses. It is a self-paced, adaptive
computer-based assessment that measures skills in reading, writing,
and mathematics.
Who
is required to take COMPASS?
First-time
Freshmen Category:
- Students
Under 21 Years of Age: Students in this age category
are required to submit valid ACT/SAT scores for admission to
the university, and those who score below 19 in English, mathematics,
and reading are placed in the appropriate DSP classes without
further assessment.
- Students
21 years of Age or Older: Students in this age category
are required to complete the entire COMPASS assessment.
Students 21 years of age or older are not required to present
ACT or SAT scores, but those who elect to do so must provide
ACT or SAT scores taken within three years prior to the first
day of the enrollment period. Those who score below 19
in English, Mathematics and Reading are placed in the appropriate
DSP classes without further assessment.
Non-Degree
Student Admission Category:
Students who are not
seeking a degree and are admitted in this category, who have not
completed the first college-level course in English or Mathematics
must undergo COMPASS assessment in the appropriate subject area.
Students must complete courses indicated by COMPASS placement
prior to enrolling in the subsequent college-level English or
Mathematics courses.
Transfer
Students Category:
Transfer students who
meet the following criteria are required to undergo COMPASS assessment:
- Transfer
students who have fewer than 60 transferable semester hours
of traditional credit and who have not earned college-level
algebra-based math or English credits must take appropriate
COMPASS subtests.
- Transfer
students with fewer than 60 transferable semester hours of traditional
credit and who have deficiencies in required high school English
or mathematic units (regardless of ACT or SAT scores) must take
appropriate COMPASS subtests.
Other:
In addition, the following
categories of students must undergo COMPASS assessment for the
purpose of meeting high school unit admission criteria:
- International
students must complete the entire COMPASS test unless available
ACT or SAT scores exempt the student.
NOTE:
Students who graduated from
high school in 1997 and have received a Tennessee Honors Diploma
are NOT required to take the COMPASS regardless of ACT or SAT
scores.
What
does the COMPASS measure?
- Reading
The student
is given one or more passages to read, and then answers questions
about the passage.
- Writing
The student
is presented with an essay and asked to look for errors in grammar,
punctuation, usage, and style.
- Mathematics
The student
solves problems which measure numerical, pre-algebra, and algebra
skills. Some of the areas included are: basic operations
with integers, fractions, decimals; exponents; ratios and proportions;
percentages; and topics in elementary algebra, intermediate
algebra, and coordinate geometry.
How
much does it cost to take the COMPASS?
Students
taking COMPASS for the first time do not pay for the assessment.
Students who retest will be charged $7.00 for each section they
retake.
To
pay for the exams visit the Business Office in the Jolly Classroom
Center.
How
can I prepare for COMPASS?
Many
students find it helpful to review basic mathematics skills if
they have not used them recently. For example, if it has
been some time since the student has added, multiplied and divided
fractions, he or she may want to practice these skills before
taking COMPASS. It is very important for the student to
give a best effort on the assessment test to ensure accurate placement
and advisement. Sample questions are available at the following
website: http://www.act.org/compass/sample/index.html
NOTE:
An on-screen calculator is available for use during the
math test; if a student wishes to bring a calculator, one up to
a TI-85 or TI-86 may be used.
When
should COMPASS be taken?
COMPASS
is given at scheduled times throughout the year. Students
are encouraged to take the test as early as possible. Your
application should be submitted to the Office of Admissions before
taking COMPASS.
Contact
Judy Johnson at EXT:
73406 or e-mail Judy.Johnson@kctcs.edu
COMPASS
Exam Schedule - Summer and Fall 2008
Students
may begin testing between 9:00 and 1:00 on any of the listed dates
except where otherwise noted. Students needing to retest must
see the testing administrator prior to beginning the test.
| COMPASS
Date |
Location
|
Time
|
Notes
|
|
|
|
|
| HAZARD
|
HAZARD
|
HAZARD
|
|
| 6-Aug |
| 7-Aug |
| 8-Aug |
| 9-Aug |
| 11-Aug |
| 12-Aug |
| 13-Aug |
| 14-Aug |
| 15-Aug |
| 18-Aug |
| 19-Aug |
| 20-Aug |
| 21-Aug |
|
| 252
JCC |
| 252 JCC
|
| 252 JCC
|
| 252 JCC
|
| 252 JCC
|
| 252 JCC
|
| 252 JCC
|
| 252 JCC
|
| 252 JCC
|
| 252 JCC
|
| 252 JCC
|
| 252 JCC
|
| 252 JCC
|
|
| walk-in
|
| 9:00-4:00
|
| walk-in
|
| 9:00 only
|
| walk-in
|
| walk-in
|
| walk-in
|
| walk-in
|
| walk-in
|
| walk-in
|
| walk-in
|
| walk-in
|
| walk-in
|
|
|
| LEES
|
LEES
|
LEES
|
|
| 6-Aug |
| 7-Aug |
| 8-Aug |
| 11-Aug |
| 12-Aug |
| 13-Aug |
| 14-Aug |
| 15-Aug |
| 18-Aug |
| 19-Aug |
| 20-Aug |
| 21-Aug |
|
| 214
ARC |
| 214 ARC
|
| 214 ARC
|
| 214 ARC
|
| 214 ARC
|
| 214 ARC
|
| 214 ARC
|
| 214 ARC
|
| 214 ARC
|
| 214 ARC
|
| 214 ARC
|
| 214 ARC
|
|
| walk-in
|
| 9:00-4:00
|
| walk-in
|
| walk-in
|
| walk-in
|
| walk-in
|
| walk-in
|
| walk-in
|
| walk-in
|
| walk-in
|
| walk-in
|
| walk-in
|
|
|
| KNOTT
|
KNOTT
|
KNOTT
|
|
| 7-Aug |
316 |
walk-in 9-1 |
|
| 8-Aug |
316 |
walk-in 9-1 |
|
| 11-Aug |
316 |
walk-in 9-1 |
|
| 12-Aug |
316 |
walk-in 9-1 |
|
| |
|
|
|
| LESLIE
|
LESLIE
|
LESLIE
|
|
| 7-Aug |
306 |
walk-in 9-1 |
|
| 8-Aug |
306 |
walk-in 9-1 |
|
| 11-Aug |
306 |
walk-in 9-1 |
|
| 12-Aug |
306 |
walk-in 9-1 |
|
