Compass testing for my last 10 credits

[jm82792]

Well not my last but the 10 I need from the community college,
I'm 17, took my GED when I was 16, I've passed and taken Sociology(58) and Micro Economics(53),
now I want to get into one class next semester since honestly,
I don't know what to expect from an online college or any college,
and am wanting to break the ice.

Is there any good list of what is being tested so I can score high on the placement test ?
I don't know trig,
I'm okay at Geometry, College Algebra isn't something I've done,
general Algebra needs some dusting off and that whole reading writing thing isn't that bad, I just need to rebuild what I did with the GED for reading, writing, essay and add to it.
From what I'm reading there isn't any science, history or anything else,
but I'd like to get the best score I can so I can waste less time.

[hoagland]

Hi,

I'm from Kansas, and I don't know about the Compass testing in other states, but as a general rule, you only have to take the Compass test if you are wanting to get into a Math or English class that has a prerequisite. You can also just take the Math portion of the test or just take the English portion of the test depending upon what class(es) you are wanting to enroll in.

I took the the Math portion of the test at a community college near us and scored well enough to be able to take Calculus (which was the highest level of the test). The test starts you out in the middle of the hard-to-easy range, then depending upon how well (or how bad) you do, it adjusts the questions harder or easier. I didn't realize this before entering the test, so when I started I was thinking "Oh, this isn't that bad", but by the end of the test I was thinking "Wow...I wonder if I'll pass". That is just something that is helpful to know!

The community college that I took it at had a little booklet with questions and concepts that might be on the test. I didn't even know I was going to have to take the Compass test, until about an hour before I took the test. I studied the little booklet while we went out to lunch, and then came back and took the test! I would check to see if the testing center has at least a sample of test questions and then perhaps study it. It really just depends upon what level of class who are wanting to enroll in as to what you need to focus on.

Again, it might change from state to state, but that was my experience taking the Math Compass test this past fall. Hopefully you'll be more prepared than me when you take the test! Good luck!


`Dakota

[jm82792]

Thanks a bunch for the information and help..

I think most of it applies to over here,
it's encouraging that it's not a fly or die test,
but more of a placement test that you're not supposed to get 95% correct on...

I'll look into it more since I'd like to only take parts of it,
that gives me the luxury to prep for each part,
and not the whole thing at once.
Thanks for the help,
Josh

[cookderosa]

STUDY STUDY STUDY!
If you are in a time crunch for spring, study only math. Here is why- lets say your college has a math line up that looks roughly like this:
MAT065 basic math
MAT085 pre-algebra
MAT095 intermediate algebra
MAT101 math for liberal arts
MAT120 college algebra
MAT129 college algebra with trig or Precal
MAT135 calc 1
MAT145 calc 2

Now, since each math is 1 semester, you obviously can only take these 1 at a time. If your degree is an AA and requires a 100 level math (all of them do) you'll need to complete the MAT101. If your COMPASS test places you at MAT065, you are stuck! You are looking at 4 semesters of math to meet your graduation requirement, and the first 12 credits (basic, pre, intermediate) won't even count- not even as electives. <swoosh> that's the sound of money down the toilet.
If you must take the COMPASS, you must study. Sign up for ALEKS it's only $20 and start rocking out the basics. For me, I found prealgebra not easy enough to do without study- but that's me.
Oh, if you are looking at an AS degree in one of the sciences or engineering areas, they'll require calc 1 as a first semester course (co-requisite) meaning the maths before it must be finished before enrolling.
My two cents- for the non mathy, CLEP the college algebra class and avoid the compass placement mess. If you come in with the credit, they won't give you the math section when you take compass.

[CLEP101]

Here's my 1 cent worth,

I hate math and was never good at it. I love Excelsior College because the AAS that I got and BSLA that I'm trying to get, only require a College Math. No Algebra, Trig, Cal, etc. The MATH 113 College Math course they have is very very very easy. In my opinion, I didn't even need the book they required, it was that easy. If your college requires something else, then good luck.

[Mechanix26]

Look here, too:

ACT's COMPASS System: Sample Questions