COMPASS Frequently-Asked Questions

HOW DO I SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT FOR MY PLACEMENT TEST?

Call (706) 649-1817 or come to the Admissions Office to schedule a session. Space is limited; schedule your test session as soon as you are prepared. The Admissions Office is located in the Administration Building.

WHAT SHOULD I BRING TO THE TESTING SESSION?

You must bring an official picture ID such as a driver’s license or passport. Calculators, pencils and scratch paper will be provided for the math section; do not bring your own calculators. No food, drinks, tobacco products, cell phones, beepers, or children are allowed in the Testing Center.

WHAT IS THE TIME LIMIT FOR THE TEST & WHEN MAY I TEST?

The COMPASS test is not timed, but it typically takes from 2-3 hours to complete. You may stop by or call (706) 649-1817 to make your appointment. Call 706-649-1817 for Test Session locations and times. Testing session times are subject to change in accordance to holidays and school events.

HOW CAN I FIND OUT THE RESULTS OF MY TEST & WHAT SHOULD I DO NEXT?

Testing Center staff will go over your scores briefly with you after the exam. New applicants are advised to see an Admissions representative immediately after testing. You must have successfully completed your testing before you can register for classes. For more information about orientation, call (706) 649-1800.

WHAT WILL THE COMPASS TEST BE LIKE?

The Math section of the test will start in Pre-Algebra. You will have about 8 questions or more in each section. You will be allowed to use the Testing Center’s calculators and/or the calculators available on COMPASS, and scratch paper will be provided. You may not bring your own calculator. The questions are multiple choice.

The Reading section of the test will require you to toggle (go back and forth) between the passage and the question. You may only go back within the same passage to revise your answers before continuing. You can not go back to a previous passage once you continue out of it. There will be a minimum of 2 and a maximum of 5 passages to complete. The questions are multiple choice.

The Writing section requires you to edit an essay by highlighting each phrase or sentence, then choosing a revision from a multiple-choice list. After you click on the button Finished Editing Essay, you will not be allowed to make further changes. Once you have completed the editing portion of the exam, you will then have a question or two to answer about the essay. There will be a minimum of 2 up to a maximum of 4 essays to edit.

Special Note for Health Sciences Degree Program Applicants:

The Compass Reading and Writing portion must be taken by all students desiring acceptance into a Health Science degree program regardless of whether they have taken college-level English or have an English transferred from another college/institution. These Reading and Writing scores are used as a part of the competitive acceptance process for all Health Science degree programs. For more information on Health Sciences programs and the competitive admission process, please visit the School of Health Sciences.

Last updated: April 14, 2008.