ACT created COMPASS, an adaptive, computer-based college placement test, to help match students with the right college and course. ACT’s research has shown that COMPASS provides colleges with the most accurate information about students’ likelihood of success in their specific major. This leads to better placement decisions for both students and colleges and higher rates of college enrollment and degree completion. The test is adaptive, meaning that the difficulty level automatically increases or decreases within each section based on the student’s performance. Each test-taker receives a customized score report at the end of the test identifying their strengths and areas for improvement.
COMPASS is offered in English and Spanish and is appropriate for students who have completed two years of college preparatory coursework in English or Spanish. The recommended age range for taking COMPASS is 14 to 89 years old.
The ACT Compass is used to assess students’ ability levels when they enter college. It provides students with information about where they should start or work to succeed in a course. The purpose of the Compass is to help students better understand their strengths and weaknesses, study more efficiently, and plan for success on college exams. The ACT Compass is also helpful for parents who want to know how well their child has mastered the material before deciding which courses would be best for them in college. The ACT Compass takes many skills into account and asks questions relevant to the field you are studying at a level you can understand, so it doesn’t matter what specific career path you are interested in pursuing. For example, a college student who wants to attend medical school would not want to take a test on things like algebra because these tests do not apply to their career path. This is why the ACT Compass was created, so students can take a test that will be more applicable. The COMPASS exam is simple to use and was created for those with or without computer knowledge. To take the exam, you need basic computer abilities. The format of the ACT Compass differs greatly from that of the ACT exam. The ACT Compass is a compilation of five separate tests. Each of these tests may be taken independently of the others. The ACT Compass tests are more challenging than the ACT exams using a wide range of content areas. Each portion of the exam takes around an hour to complete on average. The COMPASS exam is inexpensive, generally costing approximately $30.
