Utah Valley State College
Career & Academic Counseling Center -- Academic Advising
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Career & Academic Counseling Center >> Academic Advising

To help you review for the
New Student Assessment
(COMPASS Test)

WRITTEN MATERIALS to help you review:

  • Chart Your Success on the COMPASS by Callahan, Commander, and Cotter is available for purchase in the bookstore for $49.95 plus tax.  This is an excellent COMPASS study guide text that includes Writing and Math review sections, practice exams, and answer keys.  The book also includes a Reading section, but please note that UVSC does NOT use the Reading portion of the COMPASS test.  Instead we use the "Degrees of Reading Power" assessment, often called the "DRP" to assess reading placement.
    • If you do not wish to purchase the book, THERE ARE COPIES AVAILABLE ON THE THIRD FLOOR OF THE UVSC LIBRARY IN THE RESERVE SECTION, which may be checked out for a few hours at a time only, and COPIES IN THE MATH LAB/WRITING CENTER IN THE LIBERAL ARTS BUILDING, LA 201, which may be borrowed while you are in the lab studying.  Tutors are on hand in the labs to help with math, reading, or writing questions.
  • To review for the Reading portion of the test, there is a "Degrees of Reading Power" (DRP) study packet available for purchase at the UVSC Copy Center next to the bookstore in the Student Center.  It only costs $.26 and will help you with strategies to take or retake the DRP test.
  • Along with the book mentioned above, to review for the Writing portion of the test, there is a COMPASS Writing Test review packet you may purchase at the UVSC Copy Center in the Student Center (next to the Bookstore).  Cost: $2.98.  This packet has English language review handouts, practice tests, and answer keys to help you prepare for the exam.  If you buy this packet, it comes with the DRP study packet attached with it.
  • For even more English review for your Writing portion of the test, go to the UVSC Writing Center website at www.uvsc.edu/owl/aboutwc.html and you will find links to a wide variety of  Handouts and Practice Tests that cover all the grammar and punctuation rules you will need to know.  These resources are helpful, thorough, and FREE.  The practice tests are highly recommended as part of your study.

ONLINE COMPASS STUDY GUIDES FOR SALE to help you review:

If you do an online search, you will find a number of independent COMPASS study prep modules or guides available for purchase.  These modules are paid for online via credit card and downloaded onto your computer.  We cannot endorse these because the department has not tried them, however, students and parents have told us they had success with these three guides:
  • COMPASS Study Guide:  "Covers all sections of COMPASS Test, Used by hundreds of universities."  $23.50, www.compass-test.com
  • COMPASS Test Study Guide:  "Guaranteed to raise your COMPASS test scores in a few hours of study." $39.95, www.mo-media.com/compass
  • Achieve COMPASS Success: "Learn how to pass your COMPASS test with guaranteed methods!" $19.95, www.apexprep.com/compass

Just remember to use caution whenever purchasing things on the Web.  Read the website carefully and keep a hard copy of your transactions.  I appreciate your feedback about any of these sites of other COMPASS prep materials - let me know what works for you or your student. (UVSC Learning Strategist, 801-863-7418)

OTHER ONLINE RESOURCES:

Sample Tests:  These links have sample COMPASS test questions with answer keys for you to practice on.  (No review information is included, just test questions.)

Retrieved August 26, 2004 from http://www.act.org/compass/sample/index.html

COMPASS Testing FAQ
  • What is the purpose of COMPASS testing?  UVSC uses a New Student Assessment process in order to properly place new students in classes.  The COMPASS test is a series of basic skills assessments completed on a computer.  Developed by American College Testing (ACT), COMPASS stands for Computer-adapted Placement Assessment and Support Services.  COMPASS is designed to measure current skills in writing, and mathematics.  Although COMPASS also has a reading component.  UVSC uses the Degrees of Reading Power, or DRP, test instead for Reading placement.  COMPASS and DRP scores are used to determine students' eligibility to enroll in UVSC classes, including college prep classes (the 0800-0900 pre-college level courses).

  • What does "computer-adapted mean?  On computer-adapted tests, questions are ranked in order of difficulty and the test automatically adjusts the level of questions you receive based on each of your answers.  For instance, if you get a question correct, you are given a harder question; if you get a question wrong, you are given an easier one.  This process continues until you are consistently answering the same number of questions correctly or incorrectly at a given level.  This level translates into your placement score.

  • But I have no computer experience!  COMPASS is user-friendly and was designed for individuals with little or no computer experience.  Testing Center staff will help you get started.  COMPASS is self-directed.  You will use a few keyboard strokes to select or highlight your responses as you move through the different tests.  COMPASS is un-timed, so relax!  Be sure and ask testing center staff for assistance if you have any questions about how to successfully complete the test.

  • What will I be tested on?  COMPASS mathematics covers a variety of items from pre-algebra to advanced mathematics, and you will be asked to select a correct answer from a list of choices.  The COMPASS writing passage allows the student to edit text that has a variety of errors.  Writing skills include grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, as well as strategy, organization and style in effective writing.  The Degrees of Reading Power, or DRP, test assesses your ability to read text and answer comprehension question.

  • How long is the test?  Most students take between one to two hours to complete the entire testing process (math, writing, and reading).  You may take as little or as long as you wish on the test within testing center hours.  The tests are not timed.  Retakes on individual sections of the test (reading, writing, or math) take between 40-70 minutes on average and cost $10.00 per section.

  • What should I do to prepare for testing?  No special preparation is necessary as the tests are designed to measure skills acquired through high school, work experience or previous college work.  However, if your skills in any of the areas are "rusty" you will want to refer to the review materials outlined in this page.

  • What do the scores mean?  You will receive a score for each of the three sections of the assessment; reading, writing, and math.  This New Student Assessment is not a pass-fail test; however, there are cut-off scores for enrolling in courses at UVSC.  If you are a new student taking the COMPASS exam for the first time and you do not score above certain minimums in any or all of the exam sections, you must wait at least one week and then you may elect to retake any or all of the exam sections to try and improve your score(s) in order to be eligible to enroll in classes.  If you do worse on a retake, the higher score remains, so you will not be penalized.  After your initial take and retake, you may only retake the exam(s) again ONCE PER SEMESTER, whether or not you are enrolled at the school.

  • How can I reach the Testing Center regarding testing hours and fees?  (801)863-8269,  WS 101 - www.uvsc.edu/testingservices/

  • How can I reach the Learning Strategist if I have questions?  (801)863-7418 - Room LC 208 - www.uvsc.edu/ga/learnassist.html

Career & Academic Counseling Center
cacc@uvsc.edu  |  801.863.8425  |  Room: WB 147
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 Last Updated 7/30/07