Student Development & Testing Services
Home > departments > student services > student development testing > testing services
Testing Services - Compass
What to do before taking the COMPASS:
- Submit the Cleveland State Community College Admissions Application
- Apply for Financial Aid at www.fafsa.ed.gov
- View the practice test and review links
Cleveland State's Admissions and Records Office determines if students will need COMPASS placement testing. COMPASS is a computerized placement test that is used to determine college readiness in reading, English, and math/algebra for entering students 21 years of age and older. Students who are required to take the COMPASS will be issued a "testing notice" that includes information about when and where to take the test. Generally, COMPASS testing is administered on Monday's prior to the beginning of a new registration term. No fee is required for students taking the COMPASS placement test for the first time as an initial admission assessment. COMPASS testing must be completed prior to registering for classes.
The COMPASS is also available as a onetime challenge test for students 20 years of age and younger who have been placed into developmental courses based on their ACT scores. Students who wish to challenge their ACT placement should follow the directions on the "Official Placement Notification" form. There is a $20.00 fee to take the COMPASS as a challenge test and all subjects must be taken in one testing session. Challenge testing must be completed prior to registering for classes.
The COMPASS includes testing in three subject areas, reading, English, and math/algebra. Sample questions can be downloaded from http://www.act.org/compass/sample. The test is not timed but it takes most students approximately two hours to finish all three parts. Calculators (subject to ACT guidelines) are permitted for the math/algebra portion of the test. Scores are available immediately after the test is completed.
Please explore the links below for study and preparation prior to COMPASS testing.
- http://www.act.org/compass/sample/math.html
- http://www.act.org/compass/sample/reading.html
- http://www.act.org/compass/sample/writing.html
- http://www.act.org/compass/sample/
- http://fsweb.bainbridge.edu/tstrickland/compass_testing.htm
- http://www.testpreppractice.net/COMPASS/Free-Online-COMPASS-Practice-Tests.aspx
- https://web.gsc.edu/fs/mhorton/LSEnglish/
- http://www.testprepreview.com/compass_practice.htm
- http://www.compass-test-practice.com/
