COMPASS test
COMPASS or Computer-Adaptive Placement Assessment and Support System, is a computer-adaptive test developed by the American College of Testing (ACT) that helps in assessing the skills of college-level students in areas of reading, writing and mathematics. Taking up the COMPASS test, helps students to identify the areas or subjects in which they should prepare more effectively before their entire educational progress gets disrupted, thereby helping them to opt for the right courses at the college level. The test is basically meant for those with little or no computer skills. COMPASS test does not have any time limit and provides students with a proctor for any additional assistance.
On arrival at the college campus, all students will be required to take up the COMPASS test. It is also a basic requirement for admission to technical diploma programs and associate degrees. But, in case, a student has more than twelve college credits, or has already taken up either the COMPASS test or ACT or Accuplacer exam within the previous five years, he or she need not take up the COMPASS test again. As the test is conducted on a computer using interactive response software, the results will be obtained within minutes on completion of the test.
COMPASS reading test helps in measuring a student’s ability to comprehend after reading. It also helps in assessing the level of vocabulary, ideas and the conclusions that a student is able to draw on reading the matter provided. The student is given a passage and asked to answer questions based on them. COMPASS writing test assesses the language, mechanics and metaphorical skills, wherein the students are presented with an essay and asked to find out grammatical, punctuation and usage errors. The test on mathematics assesses the ability of students in solving problems pertaining to elementary algebra, numeric skills and intermediate algebra.
Unlike other tests, the result of COMPASS test does not have a passing score and is not used to determine the admission of a student to a college. Instead, it helps in finding out the courses that are best suited each student. Each test is given a separate score. No fee is charged to attend the test and is regularly conducted all through the year at the main campus of Motlow and also at teaching centres like Fayetteville and McMinnville. At places where there is non-availability of computer support, an ASSET test will be conducted. ASSET is a regular booklet with answer sheet wherein multiple choice questions will be given and the results of the test will be correlated to the same values of placement as COMPASS.
Apart from placement testing for reading, writing and mathematics, COMPASS also includes testing for English as Second language (ESL). COMPASS is available in both Windows version and the Internet version. The internet version helps in overcoming the parameters like content of the packages to be tested, the message on the score report of the students, distance testing and remote testing. It also simplifies the administration process by allowing online orders of the testing units, delivering scores on the spot and collecting data automatically, in addition to providing a locked-down browser that helps in preventing unauthorized exit from the test.
COMPASS e-write is the latest technology which is a direct writing assessment that is scored electronically that helps in providing results of reading, writing, mathematics and ESL in seconds.