Assessment and Testing — COMPASS Assessment

COMPASS (The Computerized Adaptive Placement Assessment and Support System) is designed to help you identify your academic strengths and to plan for success in the educational program you choose at Hawkeye Community College. Specifically, you will learn about your skill areas in Reading, Mathematics, and Writing.

How is COMPASS administered?

The COMPASS assessment is administered on the computer with easy to follow directions, is adaptive to your skill level, and is not timed. After you complete the COMPASS assessment, the Evaluation Coordinator will interpret your scores for placement into specific Hawkeye courses.

How much does it cost?

There is no initial cost to take the COMPASS test; you may retest one (1) time. Retesting fees will apply.

How do you prepare for the COMPASS assessment?

If you would like to prepare for the COMPASS assessment or study to retest, you can use the COMPASS Study Guide: Chart Your Success on the COMPASS Test" by Carol Callahan. Copies of this guide are available at the Hawkeye Community College Library.

You can also go online to www.act.org/compass/sample/index.html for examples of questions similar to those in the COMPASS test.

When is the COMPASS assessment given?

COMPASS test sessions are scheduled at various times of the day, evenings, and occasional Saturdays. Please contact the Student Services Office at 319-296-4014 for more information. Photo identification is required to test. All COMPASS testing dates and times are subject to change.

COMPASS Assessment Placement Requirements & Sequence of Success Courses

PRE-ALGEBRA SKILLS

ASSET	COMPASS	Recommendation
23-30	1-17	Review in Math --- Metro Campus
31-37	18-23	MAT045 Fundamentals of Math**
31-39	18-38	MAT052 Pre-Algebra**
40-55	39-100	MAT063 Elementary Algebra**
38-55	24-100	MAT772 Applied Math	ACT 19

ALGEBRA SKILLS

ASSET	COMPASS	Recommendation
	1-25	No equivalency/No placement
32-39	26-41	MAT063 Elementary Algebra**	ACT 19
40-55	42-65	MAT110 Math for Liberal Arts	ACT 19
40-55	42-65	MAT156 Statistics	ACT 19
	42-65	MAT744 Technical Math	ACT 19
	42-65	MAT504 Electronics Math I	ACT 19
	42-65	PNN103 Nursing Calculations	ACT 19
	42-65	MAT102 Intermediate Algebra	ACT 19
	42-65	MLT103 Lab Mathematics	ACT 19
	66-100	MAT122 College Algebra	ACT 24
		MAT128 Precalculus	ACT 24

COLLEGE ALGEBRA

COMPASS	Recommendation
1-30	No equivalency/No placement
31-50	MAT122 College Algebra	ACT 24
	MAT128 Precalculus	ACT 24
51-100	MAT134 Trig & Analytic Geometry	ACT 25

TRIGONOMETRY

COMPASS	Recommendation
1-30	No equivalency/No placement
31-50	MAT134 Trig & Analytic Geometry	ACT 25
51-100	MAT210 Calculus I	ACT 27

READING SKILLS

ASSET	COMPASS	Recommendation
23-30	1-39	Review in Reading --- Metro Campus
31	40-46	RDG038 College Prep Reading I**
32-33	47-68	RDG039 College Prep Reading II**
34-37	69-81	SDV025 College Study Skills**
38-53	82-100	Transfer/Technical Credit Courses (Ex. Psychology, Sociology)	ACT 19

WRITING SKILLS

ASSET	COMPASS	Recommendation
23-30	1-19	Review in Writing --- Metro Campus
31-34	20-40	ENG060 College Prep Writing I**
35-39	41-64	ENG061 College Prep Writing II **
40-54	65-100	COM712 Business Comm.	ACT 19
40-54	65-100	COM781 Written Comm. in the Workplace	ACT 19
40-54	65-100	ENG105 Composition I	ACT 19
35-54	41-100	COM730 Communications *Optional writing sample available upon request	ACT 19

** Success Courses

Student Services Office

Hawkeye Center, Upper Level
319-296-4014
assessment@hawkeyecollege.edu