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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
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*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.
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