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You must submit your application for admission before taking the placement
test. You must take a math placement test before enrolling in any math
course. Some science and computer science courses also require a
qualifying score on the math placement test.
The importance of reviewing material that you have previously studied
can not be over emphasized. The placement test is not an admissions test
or an aptitude test. The test measures how well you demonstrate skills
and your score indicates the courses you are prepared to take. Not
reviewing before taking the placement test could possibly place you in a
course that is lower than your actual skill level, delaying your math
sequence by one or more semesters, costing you time and money.
Starting your review process early will give you enough time to
practice so that you can feel confident of doing your best on the
placement test.
For sample questions for COMPASS click here:
http://www.act.org/compass/sample/index.html
For sample questions created at NOVA
click here
For free online resources, click here.
For a comprehensive review you may want to reference the book, Chart
Your Success on the COMPASS. (ISBN 0-89892-302-6) This
book is available on closed reserve in some of the libraries on
NOVA campuses.
You can also purchase an electronic version of a study guide from:
http://www.compass-test.com/
Click here for other Compass Practice tests and additional resources.
The test is divided into five levels of material: Prealgebra,
Algebra, College Algebra, Geometry, and Trigonometry. Your answer in any
particular section of the test will determine how many problems and which
sections of the test you will see. As long as your answers are correct,
the computer will continue to give you harder questions. Your
answers will determine how many questions you will receive and the areas
in which you will be tested.
Because the selection process is based on how well you do, the test
you take will be different from those taken by other test-takers, even
on the same day.
The test is untimed, but you should allow at least 2 hours to complete
the test. The computer decides when you are finished. You must complete
the test to receive a score.
Hand-held calculators are not allowed. There is an online calculator
for use during the test.
You may retest every three months. Math test scores
are valid for one year.
Need to review? Click on the links below to see the appropriate
lesson online at PurpleMath.com, Math.com and other math sites.
Numerical
Skills/Prealgebra
Questions in the Numerical Skills/Prealgebra Placement Test
range in content from basic arithmetic concepts and skills to
the knowledge and skills considered prerequisites for a first
algebra course.
The Numerical Skills/Prealgebra Placement Test includes items
from more than a
dozen content areas; however, a majority of the questions come
from the content areas listed to the right. |
Operations with Integers
Multiples and factors of integers
Operations with Fractions
Operations with Decimals
Conversions between fractions and decimals
Exponents, square roots, scientific notation
Ratios and
proportions
Percentages
Averages (Means, Medians, and Modes)
Percent Word Problems
Number
Word Problems |
Algebra
The Algebra Placement Test is composed of items from three
curricular areas: elementary algebra, coordinate geometry, and
intermediate algebra. Each of these three areas is further
subdivided into a number of more specific content areas.
Overall, the Algebra Placement Test includes items from more than 20
content areas; however, the majority of test questions fall
within the content areas to the right
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Substituting Values into Algebraic Expressions
Setting
Up Equations for Given Situations
Basic
Operations with Polynomials
Factoring Polynomials
The AC method of factoring
Linear
Equations in One Variable
Exponents and Radicals
Simplifying Rational Expressions
Adding
and Subtracting Rational Expressions
Multiplying and Dividing Rational Expressions
Linear Equations in Two Variables |
College Algebra
Items in the College Algebra Test focus on algebra knowledge
and skills in a variety of content
areas. The majority of items come from the first three content
areas to the right. |
Functions
Exponents and Radicals
Complex
Numbers
Other topics may include:
Arithmetic and Geometric Sequences and Series
Matrices (basic operations, equations, and determinants)
Factorials
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Geometry
Primary content areas in the Geometry Placement Test
include:
Triangles (perimeter, area, Pythagorean theorem, etc.)
Circles (perimeter, area, arcs, etc.)
Angles (supplementary, complementary, adjacent, vertical, etc.)
Rectangles (perimeter, area, etc.)
Three-dimensional concepts
Hybrid (composite) shapesReviews are to the right.
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Geometry Review #1
Geometry
Review #2
Geometry Review #3
Geometry
Review #4
Geometry
Review #5 |
Trigonometry
The primary content areas assessed by the Trigonometry
Placement Test are to the right. |
Trigonometric functions and identities
Right-triangle trigonometry
Trigonometric equations and inequalities
Graphs of
trigonometric functions
Special
angles (multiples of 30 and 45 degrees)
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