Compass Entrance Exam

Dream2BANurse · Jun 12, 2008

The COMPASS has 3 portions: Math, Reading, and English. It's not a pass or fail, it just determines which courses you need to be placed in based on your scores. Example..someone may need to take College Algebra but only place into a remedial math class. I've never taken the NET or TEAS so I'm not sure how it compares to those but good luck if you have to take it.

MsOptimistic · Jun 12, 2008

I havent taken the Compass but i have taken a test called the ASSET and i had to take that in conjunction with the NET in order to be considered 4 the nursing program that i applied to and from my understanding the Compass and the Asset are almost the same. The ASSET is in the same format as the Compass is explained in the above reply and the NET and the ASSET were both pretty easy. So if you have taken the NET then i wouldnt be to worried about the Compass being difficult. Anyway, goodluck 2 ya and i hope this helps. God Bless!

klrmom · Jun 13, 2008

I have to take the Compass as well. My school gave 2 websites to help "prepare" for the exam. Honestly, I haven't looked at them yet.... just got my letter yesterday lol. Hope they help!

http://www.act.org/asset/pdf/guide.pdf

http://www.act.org/compass/sample/index.html

Just looking at the links, the 1st one looks like it's geared towards the asset & 2nd for compass. So, obviously the tests are similar because as I said these are the links my school gave me to practice for my compass test. Good luck!

kburns0016 · Jun 13, 2008

I would say dont try to over study for the COMPASS , I have a friend who did just that on the Math portion she crammed for days on how to do higher level problems and with a little luck she was able to guess her way into COLLEGE ALGEBRA( she about died :eek: )...her basic math skills were really lacking and she knew she had no business in math 150. She wound up trying the class twice and failing both times before her advisor had her retake the math portion...she wound up in a much more sensible class then Math110 (Applications)

I guess my point is you are not really supposed to study for the COMPASS just test "naturally" and you will be placed in the proper skills level of classes

Dont sweat it~ just take you time and read everything (directions and questions )at least twice and you will wind up exactly where you need to start~

Good Luck

cabo2341 · Jun 13, 2008

thanks, for the reply. i need to pass the entrance exam to get into the nursing program. so i do feel more pressured :banghead:

AOX4RN, MSN, RN, NP · Jun 13, 2008

thanks, for the reply. i need to pass the entrance exam to get into the nursing program. so i do feel more pressured

are you going to do the everest program?

kburns0016 · Jun 13, 2008

I am not sure I understand ...do you have to achieve a minimum score in each catagory? Is there a cut off where they can say you "failed"? Or do you just have to exhibit a minimum proficeincy?

I worried to death over mine but I did really well in the end ....topping out on my Eng and Reading scores (like 98 and 96 percentile )although my math was barely satisfactory, I had to start out in a basic class then I moved up through College Algebra~ Either way try to not to worry to much as it may make too much pressure on you and you might feeze...my hubby did and he now needs to retake 2 sections , not cause he is not smart he just worried too much over it and once he got in to take it he froze up on the first 2 sections :uhoh3:

At my school every student had to have a recent ACT score or take the COMPASS before you could even register for your first class. Those of us going into the RN program had to take and pass the NLN Pre-Entrance exam.

Either way Good luck when you do take it~~~

Dream2BANurse · Jun 13, 2008

The only portion of the COMPASS that my school looks at during consideration for acceptance to the nursing program is the reading section which they require you score atleast a 79 on. It's not bad at all though, I managed to get a 95 out of 99 on the reading portion. I agree with those who said not to "study" cause in the end it could hurt you but I would recommend brushing up on pre-algebra if you are familiar with it just as a refresher.

Dream2BANurse · Jun 13, 2008

Also, I used one of the links that someone posted earlier when I was trying to get an idea of what would be on the test and I found them to be similar but a bit more "advanced" than the questions that were actually on the test were.

divsky · Jun 13, 2008

The Compass test is a general college placement test, used mainly by community colleges, that's similar to the ACT or SAT. It has nothing to do with nursing. I don't think they can use this to deny you entry to a college, it's just a tool to evaluate what classes you may need to take before moving on to something more advanced. For example, if you do poorly on math you may end up taking a basic math class before moving on to more advanced classes.

Personally, I wouldn't stress this too much. I honestly don't think this can affect whether or not you will be accepted into a program. It's just a tool to show where you're at and what classes you may need to attend.

morningstarRN, RN · Jun 13, 2008

The Compass test is a general college placement test, used mainly by community colleges, that's similar to the ACT or SAT. It has nothing to do with nursing. I don't think they can use this to deny you entry to a college, it's just a tool to evaluate what classes you may need to take before moving on to something more advanced. For example, if you do poorly on math you may end up taking a basic math class before moving on to more advanced classes.
Personally, I wouldn't stress this too much. I honestly don't think this can affect whether or not you will be accepted into a program. It's just a tool to show where you're at and what classes you may need to attend.

I was going to say the same thing. They may say you have to take the compass before you can start the nursing program, but it just a placement test. You take it to see which of the pre-reqs you will need to take prior to applying for entrance to the nursing program.