KVCC - Career Resources On-line

Placement Assessment

COMPASS Placement Testing

Assessing Student Skills for Entry and Transfer

All students enrolling for the first time at Kalamazoo Valley Community College who are seeking a certificate or degree and have no previous college experience should take the COMPASS test to determine their writing, reading and math levels. COMPASS is a comprehensive computerized adaptive testing system. The purpose of COMPASS placement testing is to help students enroll in classes for which they are adequately prepared and have the most opportunity for success. Counselors use the results to recommend the appropriate level course work in the academic areas mentioned above. 

COMPASS placement testing is given at scheduled group times and through individual appointments Monday through Friday. There is no fee for Compass. Students should telephone (269) 488-4100 or stop by the Student Service Center for more information or to set up an appointment. Testing is also available at the Arcadia Commons Campus.  Students should check at the reception desk at the Arcadia Commons Campus for those times.

Although this assessment is not pass/fail and is designed to assess your current skills in Writing, Reading and Math, we do encourage you to review these areas prior to testing because that could allow for a more accurate placement. Your class selections may be limited if the test reveals deficiencies that need attention before attending college level classes.

For more information on COMPASS and a test study guide, you can go to ACT COMPASS website. Once you are at the website, you can click sample questions.
Additionally, this website will help you to review your math skills;
http://mathematics.clc.uc.edu/hager/index.html
 

Below are our interpretation guidelines for Compass test scores and corresponding class placements:

WRITING

Compass
ACT
Recommendation
Course Title/Description
01-69
 
ENG 098 or ENG 099

Fundamentals of English I: Basic Grammar Review
Reading to Write: Writing to Read: Basic grammar review; reading comprehension and vocabulary development.

70-94
 
ENG 110 or ENG 160
College Writing I: College writing (Prerequisite: Minimum reading score of 44 on COMPASS or completion of ENG 098 with a 2.0 grade or better)
Writing for Research
95-99
 
ENG 160
Writing for Research or see counselor about CLEP or Challenge Essay

 

READING

Compass
ACT
Recommendation
Course Title/Description
1-30
 
See Counselor
Please make counseling appointment in Room 1340.
31-43
 
TRS 094 & TRS 105
or ENG 099 (replaces ENG 098 & TRS 094)
& TRS 105
Fundamentals of Reading I: Basic reading skills and vocabulary development, AND College Success Strategies: Skills and strategies for academic success in college.
Reading to Write: Writing to Read: Basic grammar review; reading comprehension and vocabulary development and College Success Strategies: Skills and strategies for academic success in college.
44-60
 
TRS 096 & TRS 105
Fundamentals of Reading II: Reading comprehension and vocabulary development;
College Success Strategies: Skills and strategies for academic success in college.
61-79
 
TRS 102
Intermediate Reading: Intensive work on critical reading skills and comprehension.
Required for Health Career Students
80-99
 
No requirement
Score indicates college level reading

 

MATHEMATICS

Compass
Pre-Algebra
ACT
Recommendation
Course Title/Description
01-20
 
MATH 079
Conceptual Arithmetic: An in-depth study of arithmetic
21-43
 
MATH 094
Basic Arithmetic/PreAlgebra
44-99
 
MATH 096 or BUS 102
Fundamentals of Algebra: Review of 1st yr high school algebra
Math for Business/Industry: Includes percentage, discount, interest, etc.

 

Algebra
ACT
Recommendation
Course Title/Description
01-33
 
MATH 096
Fundamentals of Algebra: Review of first year high school algebra
34-64
 
MATH 116 or MATH 114
Intermediate Algebra: Review of 2nd year high school algebra
Mathematical Ideas: For College of Arts & Sciences at WMU
65-78
 
MATH 120 or MATH 140
or MATH 150
Finite Mathematics: Applies Intermediate Algebra to Business and Liberal Arts
Number Concepts for Elementary/Middle School Teachers
College Algebra: An elementary functions course
79-99
 
MATH 152 or MATH 156
Trigonometry
Pre-Calculus/Trigonometry: Combines advanced topics from College Algebra & Trigonometry

 

College Algebra
ACT
Recommendation
Course Title/Description
01-50
 
MATH 150
College Algebra: An elementary functions course
  MATH 152 or MATH 156 Trigonometry
Pre-Calculus/Trigonometry: Combines advanced topics from College Algebra & Trigonometry
51-99
 
MATH 160 or MATH 220
Calculus 1 & Analytic Geometry
Probabliity & Statistics: Introductory course in statistics for Business and Liberal Arts

 

TECHNICAL MATHEMATICS

Pre-Algebra
ACT
Recommendation
Course Title/Description
01-26
 
MATH 079
Conceptual Arithmetic: An in-depth study of arithmetic
27-43
 
MATH 092
Basic Technical Math: Review course for tech students
44-99
 
MATH 106
Technical Math: Basic math, includes algebra, geometry, introduction to Trigonometry

 

Algebra
ACT
Recommendation
Course Title/Description
01-99
 
MATH 106
Technical Math: Basic math, includes algebra, geometry, introduction to Trigonometry

 

*Note: If your score falls in a DECISION ZONE you will need to decide between two course levels. The lower level
course would offer a review, the higher level course would be more of a challenge. You may wish to discuss
your options with a counselor. 1/3/2007


The Career Development and Assessment Services Office is housed at the Texas Township Campus of Kalamazoo Valley Community College in room 1340. However, services and resources are also delivered at business, industrial and educational sites and at KVCC’s Arcadia Commons Campus.

last updated 01/24/07

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Kalamazoo Valley Community College
Texas Township Campus - 6767 West O Avenue, PO Box 4070, Kalamazoo, MI 49003-4070 -  269-488-4400
Arcadia Commons Campus - 202 North Rose Street, Kalamazoo, MI 49007 - 269-373-7800