COMPASS TEST
PREPARATION
North Seattle Community College
Who needs to take the test?




Students who want to do the Running Start program.
Students entering degree, certificate, or college
transfer programs at NSCC.
Students who need to complete requirements for
English and Math. (See Sequence of English Classes
and Sequence of Math Classes)
Students who want to take classes that list placement
test scores as a prerequisite for the class.
When you don’t need to test

You may not need to take the COMPASS test for
English and Math placement. See an advisor if:
 You
have already taken the COMPASS at another school
 You have already completed a college level English or
Math class
 You have already taken any of the following tests:
 TOEFL
 SAT
 ACT
 ASSET
 ACCUPLACER
COMPASS Tests
PLACEMENT
COMPUTER BASED
ADAPTIVE
• A placement test
is not a pass/fail
test.
• It assesses math or
academic English
skills to start you
at the level that is
right for you.
• It finds your
specific test
placement.
• The COMPASS
tests are
computer-based.
• Prior computer
experience is not
required.
• There is a tutorial.
• The test adapts
the next question.
• If you get a
question right, it
gives you a
harder one.
• If you miss a
question, it gives
you an easier
one.
COMPASS Tests
Reading
• College reading skills for English class placement.
• Read essays and answer multiple choice questions.
• Readings are from practical readings, humanities, fiction,
natural sciences and social sciences.
Writing
• College writing/editing skills for English class placement.
• Correct errors in basic grammar, usages, punctuation and
sentence structure.
• Answer questions about content, organization and style.
Math
• College math skills for Math class placement.
• Answer multiple choice questions about numerical skills, Prealgebra, Algebra, College Algebra, Geometry,
Trigonometry.
• You can use the Windows standard or scientific calculator.
ESL
• Tests non-native speakers ability to understand written and
spoken English. (Reading, Grammar/Usage and Listening)
• You take this test if you are an international student or if you
are an immigrant or refugee and need to qualify for
Financial Aid for a professional technical or IBEST program.
Check with an advisor.
When Should You Test?



Don’t wait too long. English and Math classes fill fast.
If you are a new or returning student, you should test at
least a few weeks before you plan to start classes –
earlier is better.
If you are in Language Arts, developmental English, ESL,
IEP, ABE or Math classes currently, you are still learning
new material. Wait until the last month of the quarter to
test.
About the Testing Center



The Testing Center is on the 2nd floor of the College
Center building in Room CC 2459C (around the corner
from Financial Aid)
Call us at: 206-527-7659
See our Testing Web site at:
 https://northseattle.edu/testing
 Look for COMPASS study guides.
 Review the Testing Calendar
About the Test

AMOUNT OF TIME




Tests are untimed.
You can pause out of your test at the end of a section, take a short
break and come back to finish.
The test will save all your work and start where you left off. The entire
test you are taking must be finished in that session.
SPECIAL ACCOMODATIONS


If you need a Testing Accommodation, such as a private room, or a
reader or scribe, contact the Disability Services Office before you
come to test.
Disability Services and the Testing Center will work with you to make
an appointment time to take the test.
Test Re-take Policy
COMPASS MATH
• The Math Test is valid
for one year.
• Take the Math test
two times whenever
you choose.
• After that, you must
wait 3 months to test
again.
COMPASS
READING/WRITING
• The English Test is
valid for two years.
• You must wait 3
months to test again.
• If you don’t agree
with your score, you
can take the English
Appeal Test.
What To Do Before Testing
Pay for the
COMPASS test
at the Cashier
(College
Center, 2nd
Apply to North to get floor).
your North Student ID
number if you don’t
have one (you’ll need it
to test).
Bring the
receipt, your
SID number
and a photo ID
to the testing
center during
placement
testing hours.
Take a copy
of your test
scores to
register for
classes or
work with an
advisor.
COMPASS Math Review

Multiple-choice questions to test:
Basic
math
Pre-algebra (1)
Algebra (2)
College Algebra (3)
Geometry
Trigonometry

Choose which of 3 levels to start based
on what you have learned previously
Math Tutorial Sample
Read the question. Do the math. Choose an answer from the choices.
Can I use a calculator?
The Answer is YES.
 You are not allowed to use your own calculator.
 Switch between the standard and the scientific
calculators from Windows.
 There is a link built into the test.

Windows Accessories Standard Calculator
The standard calculator is a good choice pre-algebra and algebra
COMPASS questions. If you know that you can do math at a higher
level, you may want to familiarize yourself with the scientific
calculator. This calculator does not follow the order of operations.
Windows Accessories Scientific Calculator
The scientific calculator is a good choice for questions about college
algebra, geometry and trigonometry. It’s too complicated for simpler
math. Use the standard calculator for pre-algebra and algebra
questions.
Math Concepts for Pre-Algebra





Basic operations with
integers
Order of operations
Signed numbers and
absolute value
Basic operations with
fractions
Basic operations with
Decimals




Factorization
Exponents, square roots
and scientific notation
Ratios, Proportions and
Percents
Mean, median and
mode
Order of Operations
Please
(Parentheses)
Excuse
(Exponents)
My
(Multiplication)
Dear (Division)
Aunt (Addition)
Sally
(Subtraction)
SOLVE:
1st Parentheses
2nd Exponents
3rd Multiplication
4th Division
5th Addition
6th Subtraction
43 + 9 * 52 - 6 ( 3 + 4) /2 =
43 + 9 * 52 - 6 ( 3 + 4) /2 = 43 + 9 * 52 - 6 ( 7) /2
43 + 9 * 52 - 6 ( 7) /2 = 64 + 9 * 25 - 6 ( 7)/2
64 + 9 * 25 - 6 ( 7)/2 = 64 + 225 - 42/2
64 + 225 - 42/2 = 64 + 225 - 21
64 + 225 - 21 = 289 - 21
289 - 21 =268
Signed Numbers
-6
-5
-4
-3
-2
-1
0
1
2
3
4
5
6

Positive Numbers are more than zero. Negative Numbers are less than zero.

The absolute value of a number is its distance from zero. |3| = 3 or | -3 | = 3

Addition (+) and Subtraction (-)


-2 + -3 = -5

-2 + 3 = 1 (Treat the negative like subtraction)

4 - -2 = 6 (Change two negatives to a positive)
Multiplication (*) and Division (/)

A positive number multiplied or divided by negative number = a negative number

An even number of negative numbers * or / = a positive number

An odd number of negative numbers * or / = a negative number
Scientific Notation
Simplify a number like 235,000,000,000




Put a decimal after the 1st # and remove the zeros (2.35). This
is called the coefficient.
Count the # of places after the decimal (1011). This is called
the base.
Write in scientific notation (coefficient * base)
 2.35 * 1011
 2.35E+11
 2.35 X 10^11
YOUR TURN: Simplify 12,852,000,000,000

1.2852 * 1013
Factorization and Prime Numbers



Factorizations lists all the factors of a product

Factors are #s that divide evenly into a number

Product is the base number
Find the factors of 100
A number can be divided:

By 2 if it’s even

By 3 if the sum of digits can be divided by 3

48 = 4 + 8 = 12 (can be divided by 3)

92 = 9 + 2 = 11 (can’t be divided by 3)

By 5 if the last number is 5 or 0

By10 if the last number is 0
Prime numbers only have two factors: 1 and
itself.

Example: Only 1 and 19 can be divided by 19
50
25
5
2
2
5
Factors of 100 = 2, 2, 5, 5 = 2252
Fractions: Adding and Subtracting

Adding and Subtracting Fractions with the same bottom
number (denominator) is simple:
3
1
4
5
2
 Examples:
+
5

1
2
+
5
=
5
-
7
7
=
3
7
If the denominators are different, you will have to convert them
to the Lowest Common Denominator (LCD)
1
3
2*3=6
=
Use 6 as the LCD
1 *3
+
2 *3
3
6
+
3
4
-
2
5
1 *2
3 *5
3 *2
4 *5
2
6
=
5
6
4 * 5 = 20
Use 20 as the LCD
=
-
2 *4
5 *4
15
20
8
20
=
7
20
Fractions and Mixed Numbers



You may need to reduce a fraction to simplify.

Divide the numerator (top) and denominator (bottom) by the same number.

Try to divide by 2, 3, 5 or 10 first.
12
/2
14
/2
=
6
100
/5
7
250
/5
=
20 /10
50 /10
=
2
5
You may need to convert a mixed number to a fraction.

Multiply whole number by denominator (bottom).

Then, add that number to the numerator (top).
2
5
6
= 2 * 6 + 5 = 17 =
17
6
You may need to convert a fraction to mixed number.

Divide the numerator (top) by denominator (bottom) to get the whole number.

Use the remainder for the numerator (top).
17
6
17 ÷ 6 = 2 with
= 2
5 remaining
5
6
Fractions: Multiplying and Dividing

To multiply fractions, multiply the numerators and denominators
across. Then, simplify.
2
3

2
3
*
5
=
8
10
/2
24
/2
Reduce
fraction
=
5
12
To divide fractions, switch the numerator (top) and the
denominator (bottom) of the 2nd fraction, then multiply across.
Then, simplify.
÷
5
8
=
2
3
*
8
5
=
16
15
16 ÷ 15 = 1 with 1 remaining
Convert to
mixed number
= 1
1
15
Ratios
Ratios compare two things to each other.

What is the ratio of circles to stars?
4
Write as a fraction
7

Write with “to”

Write using a colon
4 circles to 7 stars
4:7
Proportions
A proportion is a statement that two ratios are equal

Ratios are equal if their cross-products are equal (crossmultiply to check)
a
b

c
d
a*d=b*c
Are these ratios a proportion?
3
5

=
=
14
20
3 * 20 = 5 * 14
60 ≠ 70
No, they aren’t proportionate.
What value of n will make this a proportion?
2
6
=
n
18
2 * 18 = 6 * n
36 = 6n
36/6 = n
6=n
Conversions
A percent “per 100 parts” can be written as a
percent, a decimal or a fraction.

25
25 % is 0.25 or
100

Convert the percents to decimals



Convert the percents to fractions and simplify


Move the decimal 2 places to the left.
35 % = 3 5 = 0.35
35 % =
35
/5
100
/5
=
7
20
You must convert percent to either decimals or
fractions to solve problems
Percentages



A percent problem has three parts:

The Part (a portion of the total)

The Whole (the total amount)

The Percent (a portion of 100 equal parts)
Part
What % of 80 is 24?

Solve for the Percent = Part ÷ Whole

24 ÷ 80 = 0.3 * 100 = 30%
Divided by
30% of 120 is what number?

Solve for the Part = Whole * Percent

120 * 0.3 = 36
30% of what number is 24?

Solve for the Whole = Part ÷ Percent

24 ÷ .3 = 80
Whole
Multiplied by

Percent
Measures of Central Tendency
Mean = an average of a set of numbers
• Add the numbers together and divide by the # of numbers (How many?)
Median = the middle value of a set of numbers arranged in order
• List the data in numerical order
• Find the center value (if there are two values, average them)
Mode = the most frequent value of a set of numbers
• Look for the number that appears most often
Find the mean, median and mode for this set of COMPASS algebra scores
84, 70, 65, 35, 84, 55, 35, 84
35 35 55 65 70 84 84 84
Mean = (35 *2) + 55 + 65 + 70 + (3 * 84) /8 =
512 / 8 = 64
Median = 65, 70 = (65 + 70)/2 = 67.5
Mode = 84
Online Resources

COMPASS practice tests online (Gainesville State College)


Guide to Grammar and Style (Rutgers University)


http://www.hostos.cuny.edu/oaa/compass/
Review College Algebra, Geometry and Trigonometry (SOS Math)


http://www.act.org/compass/sample/index.html
Review Pre-algebra and Algebra (Hostos Community College)


http://www.chompchomp.com/menu.htm
COMPASS Practice Test printouts with answer keys (pdfs)


http://andromeda.rutgers.edu/~jlynch/Writing/
Grammar Review for Writing Test (Grammar Bytes)


http://www.gsc.edu/academics/acadenrich/ls/CPE/Pages/default.aspx
http://www.sosmath.com/
Hundreds of short math prep videos and exercises (Khan Academy)


http://www.khanacademy.org/#browse
Must use your Google or Facebook account to sign-in
COMPASS Writing Review



Read an essay and edit it for errors in punctuation,
grammar, sentence structure, strategy, organization
and style.
Select each line and you are given five multiplechoice options for changing the line.
The first option (A) is always identical to the original
wording, and thus represents NO CHANGE.
Writing Skills Tutorial Sample
The essay is on the left. When you select a sentence, multiple choice options
appear. Choose A to keep the original text. You can select more to scroll up
and down in the essay.
Writing Test Strategies
Read the
passage
completely
Select each
phrase or
sentence
Read the
entire
sentence to
find
mistakes.
Use
Process Of
Elimination
(POE)
Review the
entire
essay
Writing Questions
Mechanics (For ESL and IEP Students)

Punctuation






Subject-verb and pronoun
agreement
Verb forms and tense
Sentence structure



End of sentence and between
clauses
Commas and apostrophes
Unnecessary punctuation
Grammar and usage

Rhetorical Skills
Sentence errors
Appropriate use of modifiers
Strategy




Organization



Audience and purpose
Adding, revising or deleting
support
Openings, transitions and closings
Establishing logical order
Deleting irrelevant ideas
Style



Word choice
Choosing appropriate sentence
elements
Avoiding Repetition
A GOOD SENTENCE:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Has a single or compound subject (stated only once).
Has a complete verb phrase.
Expresses at least one complete idea that can stand
alone.
Begins with a capital letter.
Ends with a period, question mark or exclamation
point.
Basic Punctuation Rules

Check semi-colons. Be sure there’s a complete thought on each side.




Check for comma splices (two complete thoughts with only a comma between
them).

I wanted to go to the party, I had to study for my test. (COMMA SPLICE – NOT CORRECT)

I wanted to go to the party, but I had to study for my test. (COMPOUND SENTENCE)
Check commas.

Commas come before coordinating conjunctions (, and).

Commas are used with a series of three or more items.

Commas are used to set off introductory phrases, non-essential clauses and
interrupters.
Check colons. It introduces lists or re-statements.


I wanted to go to the party; however, I had to study for my test.
On the COMPASS, we test three skills: reading, writing and math.
Check apostrophes. Its needs an apostrophe only if you mean it is. Yours, theirs,
his, and hers never need an apostrophe.
COMPASS Reading Review



Read essays and answer multiple-choice questions.
You may be asked to read multiple essays.
Types of Reading:





Practical readings (newspaper articles, business documents, etc.)
Fiction (stories)
Humanities (essays about art, literature, music, languages, etc.)
Social Sciences (history, psychology, sociology, etc.)
Natural Sciences (biology, chemistry, physics, etc.)
Reading Questions
Explicit Information
(In the Passage)
Implicit Information
(Not in the passage)
• May ask about
vocabulary or definitions
• May ask about the main
idea
• May ask about details
(Who?, What? Where?
When? How? Why?)
• May ask about
relationships between
ideas
• May ask about
relationships between
ideas
• May ask you to evaluate
or apply the information
• May want you to draw
conclusions about the
reading or make
inferences
Reading Comprehension Tutorial Sample
The reading is on the left. You can click more to scroll up and down in
the reading. The questions are on the right.
Reading Test Strategies
Read the passage completely
Read the
question
Pick the best
choice
Use Process
Of Elimination
(POE)
Find the
information in
the passage
Read the
choices