Compass
Placement
Test
The purpose of the Compass placement test is to determine if a newly admitted student is prepared to start in college level courses or needs learning support course work before attempting college level courses. The Compass placement test is a computerized assessment test. The test is not timed and is adaptive to the individual.
Students may not take any of the Compass placement test parts more than once in a three year period. The only exception is those who meet GHC retest criteria for specific part(s) of the test. Students who have taken the Compass Placement test at another institution within the past three years should have those scores sent to the GHC admissions office.
TEST REGISTRATION: Incoming GHC students register online for Compass placement exam at: https://indigo.highlands.edu:8888/pls/APPSTATUS/appl_status.login . Once logged in the student can check to see if he/she has been admitted, and if so, whether an evaluation of transcripts has been completed to determine testing needs. Also, through this site the student can register for a Compass placement test session and an orientation session. After registering for a testing session print off the confirmation as a reminder of your testing appointment.
*NOTE: Non-GHC students wishing to take placement test at a GHC testing center, rather than at their admitting institution, must request permission not only from admitting institution but also from GHC Assessment Center Coordinator. GHC does not provide retests for non-GHC students--regardless of the other institution's retest policy.
Be sure to read the information below before coming to test.
FEE: GHC charges a flat $20 non-refundable testing fee for the placement test. The $20 fee must be paid at business office or instructional site office before student checks in at testing center. Those testing should arrive early enough to make payment at the business office before it closes for the day.
CHECK IN AT TESTING ROOM: Students should check in at the testing room 30 minutes before test is scheduled to begin. At check in students must provide a valid picture ID and a receipt showing payment of the $20 placement test fee. Students should also bring Steps to Enrollment letter or check admission status online at https://indigo.highlands.edu:8888/pls/APPSTATUS/appl_status.login to get GHC student ID number and know which part(s) of test to take. Only those who have been admitted and whose LS evaluation is completed are ready to test.
PARTS OF TEST: Students can check admissions status online. Once admitted, and LS Evaluation is complete, students can see which part(s) of placement test, if any, are needed. New students can also get their GHC student ID number. Be sure to bring this information with you to testing center. The three parts of the Compass placement test are English (Writing), Math and Reading.
WHAT TO BRING ON TESTING DAY: Students should bring a picture ID and the $20 testing fee. Students may bring an approved calculator for math portion of test. There is a built in calculator on the test and the testing centers have non-graphing calculators for students to use during test.
Those taking only one part of the test usually finish within 45 minutes. Those taking all three parts usually finish in 2 to 3 hours.
RETESTING FOR NEW GEORGIA HIGHLANDS COLLEGE STUDENTS: Starting with new admits for Summer Term, 2008 placement retesting will be permitted, at no additional charge, for those meeting the three conditions below:
1) Makes first attempt at placement by retest deadline AND 2) Scores within 5 points of minimum score to exempt learning support AND 3) Retests at original testing site on the retest date specified by testing coordinator (no more than 2 weeks from initial test).
Minimum Compass placement scores needed to exempt learning support courses are as follows: English-60 or above; Math-40 or above; Reading-80 or above.
Retest is permitted in part(s) of test where score is within the 5 point minimum. Example: a new GHC admit takes all 3 parts of placement test, scores at or above minimum score to exempt learning support math, scores 5 points below minimum score to exempt learning support English, and scores 6 points below the minimum score to exempt learning support Reading. The student may retest in English (Writing) but is not eligible to retest in reading.
RETEST DEADLINES: April 15 for summer admits; July 15 for fall admits; November 15 for spring admits.
Students with scores placing them into learning support classes should visit the Academic Support web site to become familiar with rules and regulations governing learning support requirements. http://www.highlands.edu/academics/support/rules-and-regulations.htm .
TEST OVERVIEW & PREPARATION: The GHC tutorial center offers many resources and services at no charge. In addition to many online resources, you may also visit the tutorial centers to review a printed study guide Chart Your Success on the COMPASS.
Feel free to visit ACT/Compass sample test web site at http://www.act.org/compass/sample/index.html or visit the Assessment Center Links to Practice Tests.
©2005 Georgia Highlands College 1-800-332-2406
Last modified: November 11, 2009