COMPASS Placement Test :: Northwestern Michigan College

Your COMPASS scores matter. Here are some of the many resources, including sample tests, to help you
prepare:

www.act.org/compass/student
www.testprepreview.com (select COMPASS test practice)
COMPASS review manual – available at Career and Employment Services in the Osterlin Building (#3 on the Campus Map)
PLATO and MultiMedia Skill review software is also available in the NMC Center for Learning, located in the Osterlin Building to help you review for COMPASS.

What is COMPASS?

COMPASS is a computerized test used by schools to determine placement into your first classes.
The test is written by ACT.
It has three sections: reading for comprehension, writing skills and math.
It is not timed, and takes the average student about two hours to complete.

Your success matters to us. You'll be more successful at NMC and beyond when you start in the right classes. Your COMPASS test score will determine where you start in math and English at NMC.
The vast majority (more than 85%) of new NMC students start in one of our preparatory math or English classes.
You are required to begin these developmental courses in your first semester and complete the sequence of courses as required by your program of study in subsequent semesters.

Probably. Most students enrolling at NMC need to take at least part of the COMPASS test.

You may only need to take portions of the test:

If you have ACT scores in reading and writing of 19 or higher, you do not need to take the reading/writing portion of COMPASS.
If you have ACT score of 19 or higher in math, you do not need to take the math portion of COMPASS unless you wish to take a class higher than your placement allows. You may register for the following course (or a lower course) based on ACT scores of:

ACT Score	NMC Math Class
19-20	Math 111/11 Intermediate Algebra with Algebra Skills
21-23	MTH 111 Intermediate Algebra
24-25	MTH 121 College Algebra (or MTH 131 or MTH 106)
26-27	MTH 122 Trigonometry
28-29	MTH 140 College Algebra & Trig
30-35	MTH 141 Calculus

If you have CLEP, AP or college-level English or math credits transferring in or on file with NMC, call us to verify what portion of the test you may need to take: (231) 995-1041.

Take the COMPASS well before the date of your Orientation & Registration. See upcoming scheduled dates »
Individual testing: Convenient walk-in testing is available Mon.-Fri., 8:15am-2:30pm, in the Career Services office (Osterlin Building, #3 on the Campus Map). Evening and weekend hours available by appointment. Please call (231) 995-1041.
Group testing: If you are traveling from outside the local area for Orientation & Registration, call (231) 995-1135 to reserve a space or schedule yourself online through NMC Self-Service, using your NMC ID and password.

Know your Social Security number
Photo identification
You may use an approved calculator on the math portion of the test. Visit www.act.org/compass for the latest calculator guidelines.