COMPASS TEST PREPARATIONNorth Seattle Community College

Who needs to take the test? Students who want to do the Running Start program. Students entering degree, certificate, or college transfer

programs at NSCC. Students who need to complete requirements for English

and Math. (See Sequence of English Classes and Sequence of Math Classes)

Students who want to take classes that list placement test scores as a prerequisite for the class.

When you don’t need to test You may not need to take the COMPASS test for

English and Math placement. See an advisor if: You have already taken the COMPASS at another

school You have already completed a college level English

or Math class You have already taken any of the following tests:

TOEFL SAT ACT ASSET ACCUPLACER

COMPASS Tests

PLACEMENT• A placement

test is not a pass/fail test.

• It assesses math or academic English skills to start you at the level that is right for you.

• It finds your specific test placement.

COMPUTER - BASED

• The COMPASS tests are computer-based.

• Prior computer experience is not required.

• There is a tutorial.

ADAPTIVE• The test

adapts the next question.

• If you get a question right, it gives you a harder one.

• If you miss a question, it gives you an easier one.

COMPASS Tests• College reading skills for English class

placement.• Read essays and answer multiple choice

questions.• Readings are from practical readings,

humanities, fiction, natural sciences and social sciences.

Reading

• College writing/editing skills for English class placement.

• Correct errors in basic grammar, usages, punctuation and sentence structure.

• Answer questions about content, organization and style.

Writing• College math skills for Math class placement.• Answer multiple choice questions about

numerical skills, Pre-algebra, Algebra, College Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry.

• You can use the Windows standard or scientific calculator.

Math• Tests non-native speakers ability to understand

written and spoken English. (Reading, Grammar/Usage and Listening)

• You take this test if you are an international student or if you are an immigrant or refugee and need to qualify for Financial Aid for a professional technical or IBEST program. Check with an advisor.

ESL

When Should You Test? Don’t wait too long. English and Math classes

fill fast. If you are a new or returning student, you

should test at least a few weeks before you plan to start classes – earlier is better.

If you are in Language Arts, developmental English, ESL, IEP, ABE or Math classes currently, you are still learning new material. Wait until the last month of the quarter to test.

About the Testing Center The Testing Center is on the 2nd floor of the

College Center building in Room CC 2459C (around the corner from Financial Aid)

Call us at: 206-527-7659 See our Testing Web site at:

https://northseattle.edu/testing Look for COMPASS study guides. Review the Testing Calendar

About the Test AMOUNT OF TIME

Tests are untimed. You can pause out of your test at the end of a section,

take a short break and come back to finish. The test will save all your work and start where you left

off. The entire test you are taking must be finished in that session.

SPECIAL ACCOMODATIONS If you need a Testing Accommodation, such as a private

room, or a reader or scribe, contact the Disability Services Office before you come to test.

Disability Services and the Testing Center will work with you to make an appointment time to take the test.

Test Re-take Policy

COMPASS MATH

• The Math Test is valid for one year.

• Take the Math test two times whenever you choose.

• After that, you must wait 3 months to test again.

COMPASS READING/WRITIN

G• The English Test

is valid for two years.

• You must wait 3 months to test again.

• If you don’t agree with your score, you can take the English Appeal Test.

What To Do Before Testing

Apply to North to get your North Student ID number if you don’t have one (you’ll need it to test).

Pay for the COMPASS test at the Cashier (College Center, 2nd floor).

Bring the receipt, your SID number and a photo ID to the testing center during placement testing hours.

Take a copy of your test scores to register for classes or work with an advisor.

COMPASS Math Review Multiple-choice questions to test:

Basic math Pre-algebra (1) Algebra (2) College Algebra (3) Geometry Trigonometry

Choose which of 3 levels to start based on what you have learned previously

Math Tutorial SampleRead the question. Do the math. Choose an answer from the choices.

Can I use a calculator? The Answer is YES. You are not allowed to use your own

calculator. Switch between the standard and the

scientific calculators from Windows. There is a link built into the test.

Windows Accessories Standard CalculatorThe standard calculator is a good choice pre-algebra and algebra COMPASS questions. If you know that you can do math at a higher level, you may want to familiarize yourself with the scientific calculator. This calculator does not follow the order of operations.

Windows Accessories Scientific Calculator

The scientific calculator is a good choice for questions about college algebra, geometry and trigonometry. It’s too complicated for simpler math. Use the standard calculator for pre-algebra and algebra questions.

Math Concepts for Pre-Algebra Basic operations

with integers Order of operations Signed numbers

and absolute value Basic operations

with fractions Basic operations

with Decimals

Factorization Exponents, square

roots and scientific notation

Ratios, Proportions and Percents

Mean, median and mode

Order of OperationsPlease

(Parentheses)

Excuse (Exponents)

My (Multiplicati

on)

Dear (Division)

Aunt (Addition)

Sally (Subtractio

n)

SOLVE: 43 + 9 * 52 - 6 ( 3 + 4) /2 = 1st Parentheses 43 + 9 * 52 - 6 ( 3 + 4) /2 = 43 + 9 * 52 - 6 ( 7) /2 2nd Exponents 43 + 9 * 52 - 6 ( 7) /2 = 64 + 9 * 25 - 6 ( 7)/23rd Multiplication 64 + 9 * 25 - 6 ( 7)/2 = 64 + 225 - 42/2 4th Division 64 + 225 - 42/2 = 64 + 225 - 21 5th Addition 64 + 225 - 21 = 289 - 216th Subtraction 289 - 21 =268

Signed Numbers

Positive Numbers are more than zero. Negative Numbers are less than zero.

The absolute value of a number is its distance from zero. |3| = 3 or | -3 | = 3

Addition (+) and Subtraction (-) -2 + -3 = -5 -2 + 3 = 1 (Treat the negative like subtraction) 4 - -2 = 6 (Change two negatives to a positive)

Multiplication (*) and Division (/) A positive number multiplied or divided by negative number = a negative number An even number of negative numbers * or / = a positive number An odd number of negative numbers * or / = a negative number

0 1 2 3 4 5 6-6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1

Scientific NotationSimplify a number like 235,000,000,000

Put a decimal after the 1st # and remove the zeros (2.35). This is called the coefficient.

Count the # of places after the decimal (1011). This is called the base.

Write in scientific notation (coefficient * base) 2.35 * 1011

2.35E+11 2.35 X 10^11

YOUR TURN: Simplify 12,852,000,000,000 1.2852 * 1013

Factorization and Prime Numbers Factorizations lists all the factors of a

product Factors are #s that divide evenly into

a number Product is the base number

A number can be divided: By 2 if it’s even By 3 if the sum of digits can be divided by

3 48 = 4 + 8 = 12 (can be divided by 3) 92 = 9 + 2 = 11 (can’t be divided by 3)

By 5 if the last number is 5 or 0 By10 if the last number is 0

Prime numbers only have two factors: 1 and itself. Example: Only 1 and 19 can be divided by

19

Find the factors of 100

50

25

5 5

2

2

Factors of 100 = 2, 2, 5, 5 = 2252

Fractions: Adding and Subtracting Adding and Subtracting Fractions with the same bottom

number (denominator) is simple: Examples:

If the denominators are different, you will have to convert them to the Lowest Common Denominator (LCD)

35

15

45+ =

57

27

37- =

36

26

56+ =

1520

820

720

- =

12

13+ =

34

25- =

2 * 3 = 6Use 6 as the

LCD1 * 32 * 3

1 * 23 * 2+

4 * 5 = 20Use 20 as the LCD

-3 * 54 * 5

2 * 45 * 4

Fractions and Mixed Numbers You may need to reduce a fraction to simplify.

Divide the numerator (top) and denominator (bottom) by the same number.

Try to divide by 2, 3, 5 or 10 first.

You may need to convert a mixed number to a fraction. Multiply whole number by denominator (bottom). Then, add that number to the numerator (top).

You may need to convert a fraction to mixed number. Divide the numerator (top) by denominator (bottom) to get the whole

number. Use the remainder for the numerator (top).

1214

/2/2

67=

100250

/5/5

2050

=/10/10

25=

176

2 56=

17 ÷ 6 = 2 with 5 remaining

2 56 = 2 * 6 + 5 =

17 =176

Fractions: Multiplying and Dividing To multiply fractions, multiply the numerators

and denominators across. Then, simplify.

To divide fractions, switch the numerator (top) and the denominator (bottom) of the 2nd fraction, then multiply across. Then, simplify.

23

58

1024* =

/2/2

512

=

23

58÷ =

23

85* =

1615 1

115

=Convert to mixed number

Reduce fraction

16 ÷ 15 = 1 with 1 remaining

RatiosRatios compare two things to each

other.What is the ratio of circles to stars?

Write as a fraction

Write with “to”

Write using a colon

47

4 circles to 7 stars

4:7

ProportionsA proportion is a statement that two

ratios are equal Ratios are equal if their cross-products are equal

(cross-multiply to check)

Are these ratios a proportion?

What value of n will make this a proportion?

ab =

cd

a * d = b * c

3 * 20 = 5 * 1460 ≠ 70

No, they aren’t proportionate.

35 =

1420

26 =

n18

2 * 18 = 6 * n36 = 6n36/6 = n

6 = n

ConversionsA percent “per 100 parts” can be written as a percent, a decimal or a fraction. 25 % is 0.25 or

Convert the percents to decimals Move the decimal 2 places to the left. 35 % = 3 5 = 0.35

Convert the percents to fractions and simplify 35 % =

You must convert percent to either decimals or fractions to solve problems

25100

35100

/5/5

720

=

Percentages A percent problem has three parts:

The Part (a portion of the total) The Whole (the total amount) The Percent (a portion of 100 equal

parts) What % of 80 is 24?

Solve for the Percent = Part ÷ Whole 24 ÷ 80 = 0.3 * 100 = 30%

30% of 120 is what number? Solve for the Part = Whole * Percent 120 * 0.3 = 36

30% of what number is 24? Solve for the Whole = Part ÷ Percent 24 ÷ .3 = 80

Part

Percent

Whole

Divided by

Mul

tipl

ied

by

Measures of Central TendencyMean = an average of a set of numbers

• Add the numbers together and divide by the # of numbers (How many?)

Median = the middle value of a set of numbers arranged in order• List the data in numerical order• Find the center value (if there are two values, average them)

Mode = the most frequent value of a set of numbers• Look for the number that appears most often

Find the mean, median and mode for this set of COMPASS algebra scores

84, 70, 65, 35, 84, 55, 35, 8435 35 55 65 70 84 84 84

Mean = (35 *2) + 55 + 65 + 70 + (3 * 84) /8 = 512 / 8 = 64Median = 65, 70 = (65 + 70)/2 = 67.5Mode = 84

Online Resources COMPASS practice tests online (Gainesville State College)

http://www.gsc.edu/academics/acadenrich/ls/CPE/Pages/default.aspx Guide to Grammar and Style (Rutgers University)

http://andromeda.rutgers.edu/~jlynch/Writing/ Grammar Review for Writing Test (Grammar Bytes)

http://www.chompchomp.com/menu.htm COMPASS Practice Test printouts with answer keys (pdfs)

http://www.act.org/compass/sample/index.html Review Pre-algebra and Algebra (Hostos Community College)

http://www.hostos.cuny.edu/oaa/compass/ Review College Algebra, Geometry and Trigonometry (SOS Math)

http://www.sosmath.com/ Hundreds of short math prep videos and exercises (Khan Academy)

http://www.khanacademy.org/#browse Must use your Google or Facebook account to sign-in

COMPASS Writing Review Read an essay and edit it for errors in

punctuation, grammar, sentence structure, strategy, organization and style.

Select each line and you are given five multiple-choice options for changing the line.

The first option (A) is always identical to the original wording, and thus represents NO CHANGE.

Writing Skills Tutorial SampleThe essay is on the left. When you select a sentence,

multiple choice options appear. Choose A to keep the original text. You can select more to scroll up and down in the essay.

Writing Test Strategies

Read the

passage

completely

Select each

phrase or

sentence

Read the

entire sentence to find

mistakes.

Use Process

Of Elimina

tion (POE)

Review the

entire essay

Writing Questions

Punctuation End of sentence and

between clauses Commas and apostrophes Unnecessary punctuation

Grammar and usage Subject-verb and pronoun

agreement Verb forms and tense

Sentence structure Sentence errors Appropriate use of

modifiers

Strategy Audience and purpose Adding, revising or

deleting support Openings, transitions and

closings Organization

Establishing logical order Deleting irrelevant ideas

Style Word choice Choosing appropriate

sentence elements Avoiding Repetition

Mechanics (For ESL and IEP Students) Rhetorical Skills

A GOOD SENTENCE:

1. Has a single or compound subject (stated only once).

2. Has a complete verb phrase.3. Expresses at least one complete idea that

can stand alone.4. Begins with a capital letter.5. Ends with a period, question mark or

exclamation point.

Basic Punctuation Rules Check semi-colons. Be sure there’s a complete thought on

each side. I wanted to go to the party; however, I had to study for my test.

Check for comma splices (two complete thoughts with only a comma between them). I wanted to go to the party, I had to study for my test. (COMMA SPLICE – NOT

CORRECT) I wanted to go to the party, but I had to study for my test. (COMPOUND

SENTENCE) Check commas.

Commas come before coordinating conjunctions (, and). Commas are used with a series of three or more items. Commas are used to set off introductory phrases, non-essential

clauses and interrupters. Check colons. It introduces lists or re-statements.

On the COMPASS, we test three skills: reading, writing and math. Check apostrophes. Its needs an apostrophe only if you mean

it is. Yours, theirs, his, and hers never need an apostrophe.

COMPASS Reading Review Read essays and answer multiple-choice

questions. You may be asked to read multiple essays. Types of Reading:

Practical readings (newspaper articles, business documents, etc.)

Fiction (stories) Humanities (essays about art, literature, music,

languages, etc.) Social Sciences (history, psychology, sociology, etc.) Natural Sciences (biology, chemistry, physics, etc.)

Reading Questions

Explicit Information

(In the Passage)•May ask about vocabulary or definitions•May ask about the main idea•May ask about details (Who?, What? Where? When? How? Why?)•May ask about relationships between ideas

Implicit Information (Not in the passage)

•May ask about relationships between ideas•May ask you to evaluate or apply the information•May want you to draw conclusions about the reading or make inferences

Reading Comprehension Tutorial SampleThe reading is on the left. You can click more to scroll up and down in the reading. The questions are on the right.

Reading Test Strategies

Read the question

Find the information

in the passage

Read the choices

Use Process Of

Elimination (POE)

Pick the best choice

Read the passage completely