Sometime soon you will be taking the COMPASS placement test with Wake Tech.Scores on this test will determine whether or not you are ready to take Wake Tech courses with college level reading and writing skills in them.Students take the reading, writing and math test to determine placement.
It is critical that you do well on this test to make progress at the early college and acquire as many college credits as possible during the time available to you.You can do much better on this test if you do a little to prepare.Please practice for the test.You should have a copy of the green COMPASS booklet that can give you information about the test, but since it is a computer-based test, it is also important to practice on a computer for the test.
For more information please contact: Mr. Citrini at: .
Here are several websites with practice questions.
The ones that most closely imitate the format of the Compass test are available on this page:
You should practice the writing test and the compass reading practice comprehension test that are available on this page.
For the writing test: Note that every phrase in the essay can be clicked on.Once you click on it, it is highlighted and a question appears.Just because you can click on it does not actually mean there is an error in it.One option in the answer to every question that comes up is to leave the phrase the same.The best test taking strategy for this section of the exam is to click on EVERY PART of the essay, and evaluate each question.Some of the phrases do not contain errors, but you will be sure not to miss errors if you consider the options for every phrase. If you want more variety with similar content, but not similar format, then here are some other websites:http://www.testprepreview.com/compass_practice.htm
Get a good night’s sleep the night before the test.
Remember to take your time!!! The test is NOT TIMED.You can have as much time as you want!Students who take the time to read each question carefully and to think carefully do better on the test.
Make sure you are familiar with the test format and directions before you take the test.
Take the test seriously!Your scores on this test will determine when you can start taking courses with college level reading and writing requirements.Our expectation is that you will be able to do this by your second year at early college.We will continue to give you support and chances to improve your skills and re-test, but you can help by doing your absolute best every time you take the test.
If you feel nervous, stop and take some deep breaths.You have all the time you want.
COMPASS TEST INFO
WECHS STUDENTS
Today, you are taking the Reading and Writing portions of the Compass placement test.This test is taken by all incoming college students.
·We use the results from this test to help determine your placement in college level courses.
·To understand how placements are determined, it is first helpful to understand how college courses are numbered.
oA 100 level course is usually for freshmen, or intro-level courses.
§i.e./ PSY 101, ENG 101, MAT 171
oA 200 level course is usually for sophomores, or a course that has an intro-level course as a pre-requisite.
§i.e./ ENG 204, SPA 281, MAT 272
oA 300 level course is for juniors
oA 400 level course is for seniors, etc.(Graduate schools sometimes go on with 500, 600, etc.)
·Some courses at the college are labeled at levels BELOW 100
oRDG 070, RDG 080, RDG 090
oENG 070, RDG 080, RDG 090
oThese are courses that fall below the college level.In other words, these are “high school level courses”.
oThe college offers these courses for people who need to develop their reading or English skills before moving on to college level work.We are not allowed to offer these courses for students who have not yet graduated high school.
·Most college courses have an English or Reading “pre-requisite”.In the college catalog, this will be listed as RDG 090 or ENG 090.You can either meet this pre-requisite by taking RDG 090/ENG 090 OR by scoring high enough on the placement test to “test out” of RDG 090/ENG 090.Here is an example from the college catalog:
·When you get your placement test score report, it will show how you did on the Reading Comprehension section and on the Writing section.See the table below to understand what the placement comments mean.
SECTION OF TEST
Placement comment
Equivalent “level”
What this means for WECHS students
READING COMPREHENSION
ILC referral
Score on this test does not clearly describe student’s reading level
Student needs to be referred to the main office for further assessment of their skills.Currently below 070 level.
WRITING SKILLS
ILC referral
Score on this test does not clearly describe student’s writing ability
READING COMPREHENSION
RDG 070
Approximately 8th or 9th grade reading level
Student needs to work on reading skills in high school before taking any college course, and should retest.
WRITING SKILLS
ENG 070
Approximately 8th or 9th grade writing level
READING COMPREHENSION
RDG 080
Approximately 10th or 11th grade reading level
Student needs to work on reading skills in high school before taking any college course, and should retest.
WRITING SKILLS
ENG 080
Approximately 10th or 11th grade writing level
READING COMPREHENSION
RDG 090
Approximately 12th grade reading level
Student needs to work on reading skills in high school before taking any college course, and should retest.
WRITING SKILLS
ENG 090
Approximately 12th grade writing level
READING COMPREHENSION
“you have placed out of RDG 070, RDG 080, RDG 090”
College level reading skills
You have met the pre-requisite for any college course that lists RDG 090 and/or ENG 090 as the pre-requisite, you are clear to take college courses with this requirement.You must do this with BOTH sections of the test for most college courses.
WRITING SKILLS
“you have placed out of ENG 070, ENG 080, ENG 090”
College level writing skills
·When do I have to “Place Out” in order to be successful at the Wake Early College of Health and Sciences?
oDuring their freshmen year, students need to have a RDG 090 and ENG 090 placement in order to be registered for HEA 110 or CIS 110.These are on the pathway for WECHS students during freshmen year, but you can always take these courses later if you need to.
oDuring the sophomore year, students need to have “placed out” for Reading AND Writing in order to take HIS 111 and HUM 115, which are on the pathway for sophomores.You can always take these courses later if you need to.
oDuring the junior year, all courses listed on the pathway required that you have “placed out” in Reading and Writing.In addition, during your sophomore year, when you are in Algebra II, you will take the Math section of the compass test, and your score on that test will determine whether you are able to stay on pace for the pathway Junior year.The courses junior year that require that you “place out” are: ENG 111 & 112, BIO 111&112, SPA 111&112, MAT 171&172.
·Can I take the test again?
oYes, but not an unlimited number of times and not right away.You will be given a chance to take the test about once a semester, but before you can retest, you have to demonstrate that you have been working on improving your reading and writing skills.
·If you have any questions, please contact our College Liaison, Mark Gibson at 919-747-0008 or
