As an applicant for the Early College
of Macomb (ECM), you will be taking the COMPASS
placement test at Macomb Community College in
March. Scores on this test will determine
whether or not you are ready to take Macomb
Community College courses which include college
level reading and writing skills and, in part,
determine your eligibility to attend ECM.
Students take the reading, writing and math
tests to determine eligibility and placement.
It is critical that you do well on this test
to make progress at the ECM and acquire as many
college credits as possible during the time
available to you. You can do much better on this
test if you do a little to prepare. Please
practice for the test. COMPASS is a
computer-based test; it will help increase your
confidence if you practice on a computer.
Here are several websites with practice
questions.
Those that most closely imitate the format of
the COMPASS test are available from this page:
http://www.dekalbtech.edu/content.cfm?PageCode=testing_guides
. You should practice the writing test and the
COMPASS reading practice comprehension test that
are available on this page.
For the writing test:
Note that every phrase in the essay can be
clicked on. Once you click on it, it is
highlighted and a question appears. Just because
you can click on it does not actually mean there
is an error in it. One option in the answer to
every question that comes up is to leave the
phrase the same. The best test taking strategy
for this section of the exam is to click on
EVERY PART of the essay, and evaluate each
question. Some of the phrases do not contain
errors, but you will be sure not to miss errors
if you consider the options for every phrase. If
you want more variety with similar content, but
not similar format, then here are some other
websites:
http://www.testprepreview.com/compass_practice.htm
.
http://ux.brookdalecc.edu/fac/reading/mhurley/my_TutorialHome.html
Reading instruction and practice
http://college.hmco.com/devenglish/resources/writing_ace/students/index.html
Reading and writing instruction
More practice materials:
http://www.act.org/compass/sample/index.html
http://www.compasstestquestions.com/
https://web.gsc.edu/fs/mhorton/LSenglish/
http://cunymath.commons.gc.cuny.edu/?s=COMPASS
http://www.oaklandcc.edu/MathTest/
http://www.highlands.edu/site/academic-support-compass-math-practice
When you take the test:
- Get a good night’s sleep the night
before the test.
- Remember to take your time!!! The test
is NOT TIMED. You can have as much
time as you want! Students who take the time
to read each question carefully and to think
carefully do better on the test.
- Make sure you are familiar with the test
format and directions before you take the
test.
- Take the test seriously! Your scores on
this test will determine when you can start
taking courses with college level reading,
writing and math requirements. Do your
absolute best when you take the test.
- If you feel nervous, stop and take some
deep breaths. You have all the time you
want.
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