Placement Testing Information
Click here for placement testing information.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q) How do I sign up to take the COMPASS test?
(A) Contact the Office of Admissions to schedule a placement test at 704.922.6214.
Prior to scheduling a placement test, students must submit an application for admission to the Office of Admissions.
*Students who wish to take the COMPASS test on the Lincoln campus should contact the Lincoln campus at (704)748-1056 or (704)748-1051 in order to schedule a test date.
(Q) I’m not comfortable with the computer or computerized tests. Can I take a written test instead?
(A) All students are expected to try the COMPASS computerized test. The test only requires basic computer skills, and most students who are unfamiliar with a computer successfully complete the test. However, if a student still has a concern about using a computer after attempting COMPASS, other arrangements can possibly be made for a written ASSET test administration. The decision to do so is made on an individual basis. Contact the Gaston College Testing Coordinator for further information at (704) 922-2230.
(Q) If I’ve taken the test at another school, do I have to take it again?
(A) Students will not need to take the test again if they have taken COMPASS or ASSET within the past five years. They will just need to contact the school through which they took the test and arrange for official scores to be sent to the Gaston College Office of Admissions. If the test was taken over five years ago, students will need to take the test again.
(Q) How much time is needed to take the test?
(A) How long it takes depends on the person taking the test. The average time for taking COMPASS is 1 ½ to 3 hours. The test is un-timed.
(Q) When will I receive my test results?
(A) Students will receive a printed copy of their test results immediately following the completion of the test.
(Q) I’ve taken the ASSET test before. Can you use my scores from that test?
(A) Yes, as long as the test scores are less than five years old.
(Q) I wasn’t pleased with my test results. Can I re-test?
(A) If students’ scores are in a “re-test” range on one of the sections of COMPASS, they have the option to take that section again one time. The Testing Coordinator will inform students at the end of their initial COMPASS session whether or not they are eligible to re-test on any sections of COMPASS and provide options to them for re-testing. Permission to re-test on sections where scores are outside of the re-test range must be given by the dean of the students’ major or the Chair of Developmental Studies.
(Q) Where do I go? Do I need to bring anything with me?
(A) Students must bring their photo ID to the Testing Center , located in Room 212, on the 2nd floor of the Myers Center.
A calculator may also be used on the mathematics portion of COMPASS. Specific guidelines for calculator use on COMPASS can be found at http://www.actstudent.org/faq/answers/calculator.html.
No food or drink is permitted in the testing room. There is NO charge for the test.
(Q) What kinds of questions will be on the test?
(A) http://www.act.org/compass/sample provides a number of sample questions for COMPASS. Please note that, on the Mathematics test, all students will begin on a pre-algebra level. Depending on how they answer questions on that level, they may or may not progress to higher mathematics levels.
https://compass.act.org/tutorial/tutorial/tutorial_index.jsp provides a tutorial for each of the COMPASS tests. These are exactly the same direction screens that students see before they begin each test. (From the “COMPASS” menu, select only the tests that are placement tests-not the diagnostic tests).
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Contacts
Coordinator of Testing and Special Projects
(704) 922-2230
Director of Counseling – Audrey Sherrill
(704) 922-6220
sherrill.audrey@gaston.edu
Secretary, Student Services (Counseling) – Kathleen Fraley
(704) 922-6220
fraley.kathleen@gaston.edu
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