COMPASS™ is the computer-adaptive college placement test that; quickly evaluates your skill levels in Reading, Writing, Math, or skills in ELS – English as a Second Language, helps to place you into appropriate courses, helps to get you the resources you need to achieve academic success.

1. TTC Testing Services

2. College Placement Tests
COMPASS™ is the computer-adaptive college placement
test that:
 quickly evaluates your skill levels in
Reading, Writing, Math, or skills in ESL– English as a
Second Language
 helps to place you into appropriate courses
 helps to get you the resources you need to achieve
academic success

3. College Placement Tests
COMPASS offers tests in the subject areas most often
used by colleges to evaluate the skill levels of their
incoming students.
Trident Technical College Uses:
 Reading
 Writing Skills
 Mathematics
 ESL

4. College Placement Tests
 The Compass Placement test is not timed.
 On average, it takes 1 ½ to 2 hours to complete the
test.
 Scores are printed as soon as you complete the test.
 The Compass Placement test is taken on a computer.
The ability to use a Computer Mouse is important for
testing.

5. Mouse Practice Websites
Using the left top button on the Computer Mouse,
double click on the links below to practice using the
Computer Mouse.
Using a Mouse
Mousercise
To return to this tutorial after practicing,
click on the “x” in the top right corner of the page.

6. Reading Placement Test
The Reading Placement Test is a multiple-choice test
that helps determine your reading skills.
Five types of reading passages are included:
 Practical Reading
 Prose Fiction
 Humanities
 Social Sciences
 Natural Sciences

7. Reading Placement Test
 Link to sample reading questions:
Compass Reading Questions
To return to this tutorial after practicing,
click on the “x” in the top right corner of the page.

8. Writing Skills Placement Test
In this multiple-choice test, you are to find and correct errors
in the areas of grammar, punctuation and sentence
structure.
The Writing Skills Test evaluates skill levels in eight areas:
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Punctuation
Spelling
Capitalization
Usage
Verb formation/agreement
Relationships of clauses
Shifts in construction
Organization

9. Writing Skills Placement Test
 Writing Skills Sample Questions:
Writing Sample Questions
To return to this tutorial after practicing,
click on the “x” in the top right corner of the page.

10. Math Placement Test
The Math Placement Test is a multiple-choice test that evaluates skills
covering a variety of items from pre-algebra to advanced math.
The test is adaptive and will end when skill levels are determined.
The Math Placement Test has five subject areas:
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Pre-Algebra
Algebra
College Algebra
Geometry
Trigonometry
Students may use calculators that meet ACT specifications when taking
the COMPASS math tests.
ACT approved calculators

11. Math Placement Test
 Link to sample math questions:
Pre Algebra and Algebra Sample
College Algebra, Geometry and Trigonometry Sample
Questions
To return to this tutorial after using practicing,
click on the “x” in the top right corner of the page.

12. English as a Second Language (ESL)
Placement Test
The COMPASS ESL test is multiple-choice and evaluates
the skills of non-native English speakers for placement
into the appropriate ESL courses.
The ESL Test has three subject areas:
 Listening
 Reading
 Grammar/Usage

13. ESL Listening
This test assesses skills in understanding Standard
American English. Listening tasks increase in
difficulty with the rate of speech, vocabulary, and
diction.
You are allowed to take notes as you would in a lecture
setting. The intent of the test is to measure listening
skills.

14. ESL Reading
This English placement test assesses your ability to
recognize and use Standard American English in two
major categories:
 Referring (reading plainly stated material)
 Reasoning (understanding meaning in material)
The content of these areas will vary on the test according
to levels of English proficiency.

15. ESL Grammar/Usage
This English placement test assesses your ability to
recognize and manipulate Standard American English
in two main areas:
 Sentence Elements – includes verbs, subjects, objects,
modifiers, function words, punctuation, capitalization,
and spelling.
 Sentence Structure and Syntax – includes word order,
relationships between and among clauses, and
agreement.

16. English as a Second Language (ESL)
Placement Test
 Link to ESL Sample Questions:
ESL Sample Questions
To return to this tutorial after practicing,
click on the “x” in the top right corner of the page.

17. Welcome to Trident Technical
College
Remember to take your time with
the test and do your best.
We are pleased that you have chosen
Trident Technical College !