English and Math Assessment
All first time college students are required to take the COMPASS English and math assessment before registering for classes. Other students who wish to enroll in courses that list "placement by assessment" as a prerequisite are also required to take the assessment.
Contents on this page:
(Click on the topic which you like to view)
II. Steps for Taking the Assessment
- Apply for admissions (if you have not done so already)
- Select a date and time
- Bring your SID and picture ID
- Sign up and pay
- Take your assessment
III. Placement and Retake Policies
IV. English and Math Course Sequence
VI. Contact us
I. Facts about the Assessment
What is the COMPASS assessment?
It is a computer-adaptive placement test used to evaluate your skill levels in English and math. The assessment is for your benefit because it helps determine which college classes are appropriate for you to begin with.
Do I have to take it?
The COMPASS assessment is mandatory for all first time college students. If you do not have previous college experience, you are required to take the assessment before you can register for classes. Other students who wish to enroll in courses that list "placement by assessment" as a prerequisite are also required to take the assessment.
If you have COMPASS test scores or course work from other colleges, or you have taken the AP/IB tests, you may not need to take the COMPASS assessment. Visit the webpage Transferring Assessment Scores about the procedures for bringing in your COMPASS test scores from another school. You may also visit the Course Prerequisites website to find out how to verify completion of prerequisites or get an entry code using your previous course work from other colleges or AP/IB test scores.
What is the passing score?
The COMPASS assessment is a computer-adaptive placement test which has no “passing” score. The questions will adjust to your answers. If you answer a question correctly, the next one can be slightly harder; if you answer incorrectly, it may be easier. The scores are used to identify your skill levels in English and math, and to place you into appropriate courses.
When can I take it?
You may take the assessment prior to your assigned registration access time. No appointment is needed. You can come to take the assessment during our walk-in hours. Please check the assessment calendar for available dates and times.
How long will it take?
The COMPASS assessment is not timed; you can work at your own pace. Every student is different, but the average time is usually 2-3 hours for both English and math tests.
II. Steps for Taking the Assessment
Step 1: Apply for admissions to Bellevue College (if you have not done so already)
You need to be admitted to the college before taking the assessment. You can apply for admissions online. After your admission application is processed, you will receive a BC student ID number. You need to present your BC student ID number to take the assessment.
Step 2: Select a date and time to take your assessment
Check the assessment calendar for available dates and times for our drop-in English and math assessment. No appointment is needed; just walk in during our testing hours. If you plan to take both English and math tests at the same time, plan for 2-3 hours to complete them, and arrive at least two hours prior to the closing time listed on the calendar.
Step 3: Bring your SID and picture ID
You must bring the following to take the assessment:
- A valid photo ID card;
- Your BC student ID number;
- An assessment fee of $21.50 (The fee is non-refundable. We accept credit card, debit card or check at our office)
NOTE: We do not allow personal calculators. However, you can use the calculator on the computer which you use to take the test. Also, no electronic devices are allowed. We will provide scratch paper and pencils.
Step 4: Sign up and pay the assessment fee
Go to the Assessment Office in Room B132F to sign up for your assessment then pay. You register and pay for the assessment at the time of testing.
Step 5: Start your assessment!
Don’t rush! The assessment results determine which English and math classes you begin with. So take your time and answer the questions carefully.
(Back to the contents list)
III. Placement and Retake Policies
Mathematics
Math placements are valid for 2 quarters. For example, if you take math assessment in fall quarter, you may use your placement to register for math courses for fall or the following winter or spring quarter. You may take the math assessment up to two times per academic quarter for one fee.
English (New policy effective November 5, 2012)
- You only need to take the COMPASS Reading Test for course placement. The Writing Skills section is no longer required.
- If you are an ESL student, you only need to take the COMPASS ESL Reading Test. The Listening and Grammar/Usage sections are no longer required.
- English placements are valid for two years. You may take the English assessment up to two times per academic quarter for one fee. After that, you may only take the English assessment test once every 12 months and not ever once you enroll in an English class at BC. However, we do have an English Challenge Test. You may take the Challenge Test every other quarter or twice per academic year.
- If you took the ESL Reading test and Listening test and received a score close to the maximum, you can retake the test with the one for native speakers to try to raise your placement to 101 level. Your placement will not be lowered as a result of taking the native speaker test.
New cut scores and placement effective November 5, 2012.
COMPASS for Native Speakers |
|
COMPASS for Non-native Speakers (ESL) |
||
Reading Scores |
Placement |
|
Reading Scores |
Placement |
60 or below |
ABE classes |
|
49 or below |
ESL classes |
61 - 71 |
ENGL 071/72/73/74 |
|
50 -66 |
DEVED 061/062 |
72 - 83 |
ENGL 092/093 |
|
67 - 83 |
ENGL 071/72/73/74 |
84 or above |
ENGL 101 |
|
84 or above |
ENGL 093 |
If you took English placement prior to November 5, 2012, please read the following policies:
- Test scores and placement received before November 5, 2012 will remain effective, providing that the test was taken within 2 years.
- You can use either the composite score or the reading score for registration, whichever gives you the highest placement. The registration system will accept either score to meet the prerequisite requirement. You do not need to retake the test.
- If the new policy does not affect your placement, you may retake the Reading test once every 12 months if you have not enrolled in an English class; you will be required to pay a new test fee.
- Once you have enrolled in an English class at BC, you should follow the placement from your instructor.
EXCEPTIONS: The ENGL and DEVED chairs, ENGL Assessment Coordinator, or Testing Services staff reserve the right to authorize re-testing given exceptional circumstances.
Note: Once the quarter ends, the days during the quarter break are counted for the subsequent quarter.
IV. English and Math Course Sequences
Use the following chart to view the English and math course sequences at BC.
V. Prepare for the Assessment
You should refresh your English and math skills before taking the assessment so you can get the most appropriate placement. Below are some resources you can use.
1. Introduction Video
- Click this link to watch a short video to learn about the COMPASS assessment.
- This video uses interactive activities for you to learn the information.
2. COMPASS sample test questions
Effective November 5, 2012, you only need to take the English Reading section for placement. You are not required to take the Writing Skills, ESL Listening and Grammar/Usage sections. Visit the ACT COMPASS website to view the types of questions you will encounter in the COMPASS placement tests. You can also use the following links to access the same information:
- Mathematics
- Reading
- English as a Second Language (ESL)
3. More sample questions
You may download PDF versions of additional sample questions for COMPASS placement measures. Each file includes answers to all the sample questions. ((You must have Acrobat Reader to view these files. Download for free.)
4. BC sample math final exams
On our Bellevue College’s Mathematic Department website, you can also find past math finals from Math 097, 098, and 099 which you can use to study. To view and download the math final exams, go to the Math Department website.
5. Other online resources
The sample test questions are a good starting point. If you wish to study further, here are some websites you may use to review math with tutorials and practice quizzes.
- English and Math Practices Exam
- COMPASS Practice Exams - A site from Gainesville State College with English and math practice tests that have similar interface, style and content to what you will see when you take the COMPASS test. It also has video instructions for COMPASS Test-taking Strategies.
- COMPASS Study Guides - A site from Cowley College with study guides for COMPASS English and math tests.
- Math Tutorials and Practices
- khanacademy.org – provides more than 1,000 short instructional videos on math topics, from basic math to Calculus.
- Math.com – includes pre-college and college level math tutorials and practice quizzes.
- Purplemath.com - includes pre-college level math tutorials and practice quizzes.
- Aleks.com - There is a monthly fee to access the math tutorial and practices.
6. Book
- Chart your success on the COMPASS test - paper versions of practice COMPASS tests for English, Math, and Reading
- By Nannette Commander, Walter Cotter, Carol Callahan
- This book is available at the BC library that you can check out. There is also one copy on 2-hour reserve under GED which can be checked out and used INSIDE library only.
VI. Address
Bellevue College
Testing Services
3000 Landerholm Circle SE
Bellevue, WA 98007-6484
Location & Contacts
Main Campus
Building B—-B132F
(425) 564-2243
Office Hours:
The following hours are for general inquiries only, they do not correspond to drop-in testing hours. Please use the Assessment Calendar to see the testing schedule.
Monday – 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Tuesday –8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday –8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Thursday –8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Friday – 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Updated 11/5/2012
