1. Step 3: Complete Pre-Orientation Assessments COMPASS
9/19/2018
Step 3: Complete Pre-Orientation Assessments COMPASS
What should I expect when I take the COMPASS test?

2. Josh Bishop Assessment Center Pendleton Campus 9/19/2018
Hi! I’m Josh Bishop. I work in the Assessment Center on the Pendleton Campus so you may see me if you choose to take the COMPASS test here in Pendleton.
Almost all students planning to attend Tri-County will be expected to complete the COMPASS placement test so I would like to take a few minutes to tell you a little bit about it. I’ll explain what it is, why you need to take it, how the results will be used, and what you need to do to prepare because we want you to do your best so advisors will be able to recommend appropriate classes for you to take when you begin your education.

3. What is COMPASS? An untimed computer-based placement test
9/19/2018
What is COMPASS?
An untimed computer-based placement test
Available on TCTC campuses
Students living more than 100 miles from a TCTC campus should contact me at for information on remote testing
Assesses academic background in reading, writing, and mathematics
Used to determine initial
course placement
As mentioned in the introduction to this section, COMPASS is an untimed computer-based placement test
*given to students on our campuses.
*If you live more than 100 miles from one of our campuses, please contact me at for information about remote testing.
*The COMPASS test will assess the strength of your academic background in reading, writing, and mathematics.
*The scores earned on these three components will be used to determine initial course placement in selected subjects.

4. 9/19/2018
Why do I need to take it?
Students arrive with different levels of background knowledge in core subjects
Beginning in courses that are far above personal background levels often leads to lack of success
Grades of D, F, W (withdrawal), WF (failing at time of withdrawal) typically means you must repeat the course
Repeated lack of success may require you to
Reconsider career options
Lose financial aid
First, let’s talk about why we want you to take COMPASS. From many years’ experience we have found that students arrive at college with different levels of background knowledge in the core subjects of reading, writing, and mathematics.
*That means that if you try to take a course that is far above your background knowledge there’s a good chance you will be unsuccessful in that course, and
*being unsuccessful means that you will have to repeat the course.
*In addition, a repeated lack of success may cause you to have to reconsider career options or even lose your financial aid.

5. How are the results used?
9/19/2018
How are the results used?
Scores are used to identify your academic strengths and weaknesses.
Advisors use scores to recommend appropriate level courses.
You may be expected to take lower level, pre-requisite courses, before taking required courses in major.
This should prepare you to be more successful in
reaching your final academic goal.
COMPASS scores are extremely important!
Advisors want an accurate idea of your background knowledge!
To help students begin coursework at a level that will be more likely to result in the successful completion of courses,
*advisors use the scores you earn on the three parts of the COMPASS test to identify your academic strengths and weaknesses
*and to recommend appropriate courses.
*It is true that, based on these scores, you may be expected to take lower level courses, called pre-requisite courses, before taking those required for your desired degree,
*however we believe that in the long run, you will be more successful in reaching your final academic goal.
*This means that taking the COMPASS test is important and shouldn’t be taken lightly! On the other hand, we don’t want you to stress over it either. We only want to get an accurate idea of where you are academically so we can make appropriate course recommendations.

6. Who needs to take COMPASS?
9/19/2018
Who needs to take COMPASS?
Anyone planning to take college level courses while at TCTC
Exceptions:
Anyone who has already completed college courses in English and mathematics at 100 level or higher with a “C” or better
Completed English but not math? Will need COMPASS math
Completed Math but not English? Will need COMPASS Reading and Writing
Anyone who took COMPASS or ASSET in high school – unless you feel
you might score higher now
Students entering without a high school diploma or GED will take the ATB COMPASS assessment (process is the same as COMPASS)
Other notes:
COMPASS scores are valid for a three year period
SAT or ACT scores cannot be substituted
Students with documented disabilities should ask
about taking Asset instead
So, who needs to take COMPASS?
*If you plan to take college level courses while at TCTC, you will need to take the assessment
*unless you have already completed college courses in English and Math at the 100 level or higher with a grade of “C” or better, or if you have previously taken COMPASS or ASSET at your high school. If you have completed college courses in, for example, English but not math, you would need to take the mathematics part of COMPASS, and vice versa.
*If you are entering TCTC without a high school diploma or GED, you will be asked to take the ATB COMPASS. This assessment is very similar to the assessment taken by other students but provides information set by federal regulations.
*You might also be interested to know that COMPASS scores are only valid for a three year period so you will need to retest if previous attempts occurred more than three years ago.
*SAT or ACT scores cannot be substituted for COMPASS scores.
*and, if you are a student with a documented disability, you may find it more beneficial to take the Asset placement test. Ask the test administrator about this option when you arrive to take the assessment.

7. Practice first! Your COMPASS scores are important!
9/19/2018
Practice first!
Your COMPASS scores are important!
Advisors need an accurate picture of your background knowledge
Here are links to some helpful websites:
where you can download an unofficial test
- links to self assessment modules at bottom of page
- subject links on
left side of page
Now that you know a little about the reason for taking COMPASS and who should take it, it’s time to practice a little!
*Because it’s important for us to get an accurate picture of the academic knowledge you’re bringing with you, it’s a good idea to look over sample questions before taking the test so you’ll be familiar with the format and types of questions you might see.
*Here are links to several helpful practice websites.

8. 9/19/2018
Ready, set, assess!
Assessments available at specific times on each TCTC campus
No appointment is required
No charge for initial testing
Walk in hours are:
Campus/Location
Testing Days/Times
Pendleton/Miller Hall, Room 103
Monday-Thursday/8:00 am to 5:00 pm
Friday/8:00 am to 12:00 pm
Anderson/Room 221
Easley/Room 206
Tuesday/2:00 pm to 5:00 pm
After a little practice, you’ll be ready to head to one of the three TCTC campuses to actually take the test! There is no charge for taking COMPASS the first time and no appointment is required, however you should allow 1½ to 2½ hours to complete the assessment and you must finish before the closing times shown on the table. For example, if you would like to take the placement test at the Anderson Campus, you should plan to arrive on a Friday between 8:00 and 12:00 so you are sure to have enough time to finish before testing closes at 2:00 pm.

9. What will you need? Bring: Do not bring:
9/19/2018
What will you need?
Bring:
A picture ID (driver’s license, military ID, official high school or college ID)
Pencils
An approved calculator – for list go to
Do not bring:
Scratch paper
Dictionaries
Children
When you arrive at the Assessment Center to take COMPASS,
*you will need to have a picture ID for identification. This can be in the form of a driver’s license, a military ID, or an official high school or college ID.
*You should also bring a couple pencils. Scratch paper will provided by the Assessment Center.
*You may also use an approved calculator if you’d like. To see which calculators these are, go to the website shown.
*Dictionaries are NOT allowed, nor are children allowed to accompany students taking the assessment.

10. When will I know my scores?
9/19/2018
When will I know my scores?
Test scores available immediately following test completion
Verbal explanation of scores provided when meeting with an advisor following orientation
Test scores will be available immediately following test completion with a verbal explanation of those scores provided when you meet with an advisor following orientation.

11. Remember! Scores are used for placement into many entry level courses.
9/19/2018
Remember!
Scores are used for placement into many entry
level courses.
It’s very important that you do your best!
For more detailed information go to
The important thing to remember is that your COMPASS scores will be used to place you in many of your entry level courses
*so it’s is VERY important that you do your best on the assessment so we have an accurate sense of your background knowledge as you enter Tri-County!
*If you would like more detailed information go to the Placement Testing link shown.

12. What’s next? Complete SmarterMeasure
9/19/2018
What’s next?
Complete SmarterMeasure
Listen to “SmarterMeasure? What’s that?”
Log-in to the SmarterMeasure website to complete the assessment
When you have completed both COMPASS and SmarterMeasure, you’ll be ready to sign up for Orientation in Step 4.
Now that you know what the COMPASS test is, why you need to take it, how the results will be used, and what you need to do to prepare for it, you are ready to learn about and
*complete a second assessment called SmarterMeasure. SmarterMeasure will give us additional information about skills and abilities you bring to Tri-County.
*Listen to “SmarterMeasure? What’s that?” which you will find in this same channel in eTC to learn more about the assessment and to get log-in information.
*When both COMPASS and SmarterMeasure have been completed, you’ll be ready to sign up for Orientation in Step 4.