Welcome to the COMPASS Testing Help Page!
Are you getting ready to take the COMPASS test and want to know beforehand what to expect and what your scores will mean? Are you confused about how these scores will affect your college going future? Have you or your child taken the COMPASS test and gotten the scores back but didn’t know what they meant? If you said yes to any of these statements this webpage is for you.
What is a COMPASS test? Students primarily take the COMPASS test or another
placement test in preparation for college. While COMPASS test scores are widely accepted, the college you plan on attending may have a different placement assessment. COMPASS tests you in the following subject areas: English or writing, reading and mathematics. Placement tests like COMPASS let colleges know what level of understanding you may have in these subject areas. It lets them know if you are “college-ready”.
What does college-ready mean? Well it is pretty simple; it means that you are ready for college. It means that upon entering college you will succeed because you have a good understanding of all the college level concepts in English, reading and math.
Why is it important to be college-ready? Being college ready will make your transition from high to college a lot easier. Not to mention, if you are college ready you can save time, money and finish your degree faster. What do I mean save time and money, you might ask? If you do not have a good understanding of all the basic concepts in English, reading and math you will have to take remedial courses or “refresher” courses before you can take the actual college courses you need for your degree. College level courses count towards your degree, refresher courses generally do not and refresher courses are not free.
Ready to practice your COMPASS skills? Click on a test below and take one of our practice tests.
Math Practice Test Reading Practice Test Writing Practice Test
Understanding your COMPASS test scores can be difficult and each college rates them differently. But there is help! Check out our "Understanding COMPASS test scores" guide.
Understanding COMPASS scores
Important Facts:
- You do not pass or fail the COMPASS test; instead your scores will be used to indicate what areas you are strong in and what areas you might be weak in and could improve on by taking remedial courses.
- The state of Ohio considers a COMPASS score of 69 or above in English (Writing) or a COMPASS score of 65 or above in Algebra is considered college-ready in Ohio. Currently they do not have a measurement for COMPASS reading scores but generally a COMPASS score of 65 or above in reading is considered college-ready.
Need additional help? Check out our COMPASS Resource page at: www.techprepnwo.org
