Placement Testing    

 FVCC requires all new full-time and/or degree-seeking students to take the COMPASS placement test. It is built for community colleges by ACT and is a quick and inexpensive ($10) way to have reliable cut-off scores. We do not substitute ACT or SAT for it, and taking the COMPASS is an admission requirement. COMPASS has served us well over the last decade, but like any standardized test, it cannot perfectly predict success at a certain course level. Over the years, we have gradually stiffened the requirements, so higher cutoff scores are needed for initial placements in English and math. Cutoff scores for initial course placement follow the interpretation guide posted in the appendix of this handbook.

 COMPASS is a computer-administered test with three sections: Reading, Writing, and Math. The math portion is interactive; that is, the more questions the student answers correctly, the harder the questions become and vice versa. The computer is set to begin between our Math 78 cutoff and Math 103. If students perform very poorly in algebra, they are automatically tested for numerical/pre-algebra skills, so we can find what level of remediation is necessary. However, if students do very well, they can progress to college algebra and even on to trigonometry to measure calculus readiness. There is no time limit on any of the tests, and scoring is immediate.

Most students will see a counselor upon completion of the test and receive their own copy of the scores to take to their advisor. Scores are also entered into CAMS for future reference. Counselors have a brief discussion about student goals and test results. New students are advised to come to New Student Orientation for their first opportunity for faculty advising and registration.

 Faculty advisors need to utilize COMPASS as one piece of evidence for placing students. High school grades and courses, years away from school, apparent motivation, major selection, and other relevant factors could allow you to place higher or lower than the cutoff score. Advisors have override capability for cutoff scores. Initial course placement is both art and science, hence the necessity of a significant interaction with the advisee.