Compass Test??

carolinapooh, BSN, RN · Jan 31, 2006

Do you mean competency test? Or is Compass the name of the test or the testing company?

militaryspouse98 · Feb 2, 2006

They called it a Compass Test or ACT test. The education center here in Germany with UMUC that I attend here doesnt use this test so they cant tell me what it is.

Thanks

Amy

carolinapooh, BSN, RN · Feb 2, 2006

OK - maybe it's the ACT that kids take while they're in high school to enter college. If you're already in college (I'm prior military so I know you're talking about the University of Maryland), and I've got the test right, call the school and clarify with them (1) your age (sometimes they'll say if you graduated high school more than X years ago they'll waive the requirement) and/or (2) do you have to take it if you are pretty much transferring from another school that doesn't require it?

If it IS this ACT, you shouldn't have a problem taking it. You can order study guides from Amazon with no trouble - they ship REALLY fast to APOs (I speak from experience - I used to get stuff at Eskan in Saudi Arabia in ten days or less). The test administrators will then send a test copy to the Education Office on base and you'll just take it there, timed and proctored, just like you were here in the States. I took Excelsior and DANTES tests while I was at Eskan; it was not a problem having the Excelsior tests sent to the Education Office.

If it's NOT this ACT, you need to call the school and ask them to be a bit more specific, because you've spoken to your Education Office on base and they're a bit confused and are unfamiliar with the test. I remember when I was in OK, if it wasn't Western Oklahoma State or UM, the education office was completely clueless. And it annoyed me because they kept cramming UMUC down my throat, and I already had about 3 years of college done and UMUC kept saying I had to take 36 hours more of course work...I did a LOT of my own research, got answers, and then basically went and said "this is what I need; please help me". They had never heard of some of the programs I found; now they're all over the base.

So sometimes, the ED doesn't have all the answers. Let me know what you find out.

momsrnurses · Feb 2, 2006

Hi militaryspouse98!

I'm in Columbus,Ohio and I too will be taking the COMPASS test at my nearby Community State College. The COMPASS Placement Test is a computerized assessment for new students used to identify the appropriate starting level for reading, writing, and math courses. At my College the test is untimed and

includes simple to advance math. You don't receive a passing or failing grade. It just tests the level of your education in order to place you in the appropriate classes.

I would recommend you brush up on your decimals, fractions, percents,algebra and geometry. This test will determine if you need remedial classes before starting your other pre-req's for nursing. I believe with some study time you will avoid adding extra classes to your College load. Hope this answers your question. I wish you all the best in your nursing journey!

momsrnurses:)

carolinapooh, BSN, RN · Feb 2, 2006

YAY!!! I'm so glad someone could help her!

Sucks that they just can't call it a PLACEMENT test, doesn't it? :uhoh21:

Golden_Clover · Feb 2, 2006

I took the COMPASS test 2 weeks ago. It isn't timed. It is made by the ACT company. Just a computer test that you can have calculator, paper, & pencil. You answer the ?'s until a score or level of math skill s decided. Then the computer comes up with a score. In my school, a 46 gets you into college algebra. I lucked out and got a 56! I had never done well on anything math-related before! I would suggest that you work on square root problems, plot point graphs, order of operaton (long problem and just know how to solve for x)... etc. It's not that bad I promise! I'm no great at math and I did fine. Let me know if you have any other questons!

Clover:specs:

hallhollo · Feb 2, 2006

I took the COMPASS test in the first part of January and I tested into a midlevel remedial algebra class. At first I was a little upset about it but the more I thought about it the more I was glad that I didn't test straight into College Algebra. I had to start over and I now have a grasp on algebra that I never had. while before I would have never even considered taking a calculus class but now I'm seriously considereing taking it sometime next year. I realized that Math is just steps and if you have a firm foundation on the previous step then the next step isn't that hard either.

Good Luck no matter how well you do.

Golden_Clover · Feb 2, 2006

I agree! I never thought about taking calculus, but now it gave me the boost and confidence in math I needed.

Rohan · Feb 3, 2006

My compass test was timed but it was just an assessment of my math abilities. I used Algebra for Dummies too and it really helped! Good luck!

wannabFNP · Feb 3, 2006

i recall when i was takin the compass. i was the first person in and the last person out! i was doing stuff that i had never done before, math wise, but i ended up doing extremely well. its nothing really to worry about, its only a placement test and i believe that you have a second chance to retake it if anything.

militaryspouse98 · Feb 3, 2006

Hello again ladies, You all are wonderful. I love this board. I have learned so much from everyone on different topics that I would have been left in the dark about. I cant actually take the compass test until we arrive back in the states which is May sometime and the deadline for the application in the program is June 9 so I will be okay I think. I have until then to study the math. I have been basically re-teaching myself math all over again. Its funny how some of it actually comes back to you even after 15 years out of high school.. Wow that makes me feel old.. But I dont think I am going to stress myself out over it anymore. If its meant to be it will happen for me. Otherwise I will drive myself crazy and my husband..hehe...

Thanks again

Amy