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COMPASS Placement Testing
COMPASS Placement Testing
on this page:
Questions? See the
Academic Skills Center FAQ.
Where to take the test
The COMPASS test is given in the Academic Skills Center at Main Campus, room J-2013,
or at North Campus, room NC80.
- The test is done on a walk-in basis.
- The test does not have a time limit
- Must arrive at least two hours prior to closing
- Testing can take from 1.5 to 3 hours, depending on the sections taken
For testing times see the COMPASS testing schedule page.
Who must take the test?
A procedure has been implemented which enables students to be correctly placed in English and mathematics courses to improve their chances
of success. Students are required to take placement tests in writing, reading and
mathematics under the following conditions:
- All new full-time students must take
placement tests prior to registering for classes.
- All JJC students who have accumulated 12 or more credit hours must take placement tests.
- Students planning on taking a mathematics course, English
101, English 130, or any foreign language course must take the full placement test
before they can enroll in either reading/writing or mathematics.
- New part-time students who have never taken a mathematics course at
Joliet Junior College, but wish to do so, must take the mathematics placement test.
New part-time students who have never taken an English course at JJC and
wish to do so, must take the writing skills and reading placement tests.
- Continuing students who wish to enroll in a mathematics course must take the mathematics
placement test unless they have passed the appropriate prerequisite courses or have
satisfactorily completed a math course equivalent to a JJC 100 level or higher at
another college or university as verified by test score placement report or transcript
or grade report. Continuing students who plan to enroll in English 101 or English 130 (previously
COMM 140) must take the placement test unless they have passed English 098 (was
010) or English 099 (was 011), and have completed any reading course requirement.
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Requirements and procedures
- Students who will be attending JJC full-time must have a current JJC student application
(no more than two years old) on file before testing. See the
admissions Web site for information on applying to JJC.
- Student must have photo ID in order to take the tests.
- Testing must be completed prior to meeting with a counselor or adviser and/or registering
for courses.
- Scratch paper and pencils will be given to students taking the COMPASS Test. Students
may bring along their own calculators (nothing greater than a TI-86 and no cell
phones, mp3 players or Ipods).
- Students who have completed a 100 or higher level English and/or math course at
another college and wish to enroll in an English/Math course at JJC must fax verification
of the successful completion ("C" or better grade) in the form of a transcript or
grade report to the attention of an
Academic Credential Specialist before registering for a
course(s).
- All students who are required to take ENG 098 or 099 and ENG 020 or 021 and MATH
090 as the result of their scores on placement tests will be required to take "GSD
100: Orientation to the College Experience".
- Only one retest is permitted. Once a student begins an English/math course sequence,
the COMPASS cannot be retaken.
- Nothing greater than a TI-86 calculator may be used, and no cell phones are allowed.
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Testing fees
- Students enrolling in JJC - No charge
- Students taking COMPASS with JJC for another college - $25
- COMPASS test retakes for JJC students - $10.00 (Only ONE retake permitted)
- ISU students (math only) - $15.00
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Help with test review
Students who wish to review sample questions online can go to the
ACT's COMPASS System sample questions (this link will take you away from
jjc.edu).
Download practice problem packets here:
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Special accommodations
Students with documented disabilities have the option of taking the test in two
sittings. Services and Accommodations offered are screen magnification, Braille,
large print or audio books, scribes, and trac-balls. Contact
Student Accommodations and Resources (STAR) to arrange accommodations.
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