What should I expect when I take the COMPASS test?
Josh Bishop
Assessment Center
Pendleton Campus

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

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






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!
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


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.ht
m - links to self assessment modules at bottom of
page
 www.grammarbook.com
 www.math.com - subject links on
left side of page




Assessments available at specific times on each TCTC
campus
No appointment is required
No charge for initial testing
Walk in hours are:
Campus/Location
Testing Days/Times
Pendleton/Miller Hall, Room 103
Monday-Thursday/8:00 am to 5:00 pm
Friday/8:00 am to 12:00 pm
Anderson/Room 221
Friday/8:00 am to 12:00 pm
Easley/Room 206
Tuesday/2:00 pm to 5:00 pm

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

Test scores available immediately following test
completion

Verbal explanation of scores provided when
meeting with an advisor following orientation

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

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.