The COMPASS Placement Test is a product of ACT designed to assist in placing students
accurately in various courses in mathematics, English, and some humanities courses.
All full-time students and those who have accumulated 12 credit hours or more are
required to take the complete COMPASS Test.
COMPASS has three parts used at JJC for placement: mathematics, reading, and writing.
Review with the ACT COMPASS Test
Sample Questions or our sample questions PDFS:
The COMPASS Placement Test is computer-based. It has three parts: mathematics, reading,
and writing. Students may not access it from home or unlicensed sites.
The test is given at the JJC Academic Skills Center at Main Campus, room J-2013, and
at the North Campus LRC on a walk-in basis. Testing is also done on an outreach basis
with numerous high school sites by advance arrangement with counselors.
The COMPASS Test is given on a walk-in basis during the Academic Skills Center hours
of operation. The test is un-timed and takes about 2 hours to complete. Students
are encouraged to take their time.
The test is in three sections: math, reading, and writing. Test candidates may choose
to take the full test at one sitting, or split the test into sections and take them
at different times.
To take the COMPASS test you will need to present a photo ID. A driver's license,
school, or work ID would be fine. You also need to know your Social Security number.
All test candidates must have an application for Admission on file prior to testing.
Although there is a calculator built into the program, you may bring an approved
calculator, nothing greater than a TI-86. Scratch paper is provided.
The first attempt is free. The student is permitted one retake per section of the
test, with a retake fee of $10.00 Retakes are only permitted at Main Campus. A student
may not take the test once he or she has attempted English or Math courses at JJC.
Test candidates are presented with their test results immediately upon completion
of the test. Students are given handouts detailing descriptions of their scores
and are directed to the next step in the process of admissions. Test candidates
are encouraged not to misplace their test results but sometimes this happens. Scores
are uploaded once in the evening, but sometimes scores cannot be found.
Most often the problem is that a student applied using one Social Security number
and used a different Social Security number to take the COMPASS Test. If the Social
Security numbers cannot be matched, scores are not attached to the student's admission
information and are not uploaded into the student's record.
Your score determines your course placement as follows:
- 01-65: English 020
- 66-80: English 021 or 096
- 81-99: ENGL 101 and 130; PHIL 101, 102, and 130; JOUR 102, 201; FL
Your score determines your course placement as follows:
- 01-46: English 098
- 47-74: English 099 or 096
- 75-99: ENG 101 and 130; PHIL 101, 102, and 103; JOUR 102, 201; FL
English 094 and English 095 are combined Reading and Writing for students whose first
language is NOT English.
Developmental Courses:
- Preparatory courses in reading, writing, and mathematics
- Not intended for transfer
- Required based on an individual's placement
- Designed to help students succeed
Transfer Courses - English:
- Courses with a "100" level number
- Courses designed for transfer to four-year institutions
- Courses designed for certificate and degree completion
- Possibly one-third of "Career Courses" 091, 092, 101, 107, 108 - specialty courses designed
for some certificate or degree programs
Transfer Courses - Math:
- Courses with a "100" level number
- Courses designed for transfer to four-year institutions
- Courses designed for certificate and degree completion
- Possibly one-third of "Career Courses" 091, 092, 101, 107, 108 - specialty courses designed
for some certificate or degree programs
Joliet Junior College uses the COMPASS test for placement into math and English
composition classes. The test also provides placement for English 130; Philosophy
101, 102, and 103; Journalism 102 and 201; and foreign language.
Placement in all English and World Language courses is determined by scores in
the COMPASS Placement Test and World Language courses is determined by scores
in the COMPASS Placement Test in both Reading and Writing. The English and World Language
Department does not accept placements from other schools, high school GPAs, or writing
samples as an alternative for placement. Before you can enroll in a 100-level writing
course or foreign language course, you must complete all prerequisites in developmental
reading and writing.
Initial math placement is based on the COMPASS score or a previous college math
course. A grade of "C" or better is required in a math course to advance to the
next course in a sequence. Students must show proof of passing high school geometry
with a grade of "C" or better, for both semesters, to satisfy the State of Illinois'
math requirement.
Students with documented disabilities should contact
Student Accommodations and Resources (STAR) to arrange accommodations. The COMPASS Test
cannot be read to test candidates.
The COMPASS Test is an adaptive placement test. As long as the test candidate answers
questions correctly, they are presented with another question which is a little
more challenging. When the candidate begins to falter, the placement is made. Test
candidates do not "PASS" or "FAIL" this test. COMPASS helps students be successful
by placing them into the correct math or English class for the level at which they
are currently functioning.
COMPASS cannot be used as a vehicle to place out of a class. Once a test candidate
begins a class, then he/she must continue with the sequence of classes. For instance,
if a student places into English 098 and takes the class but decides they want to
retake COMPASS to place out of English 099, they will be told no because the sequence of
classes has already been begun.
If you have questions or concerns about the COMPASS Test please feel free to call
the Academic Skills Center at (815) 280-2261.