College Compass Test

[luvthatdisney]

Hi guys,

My DS20 has decided to enroll in college, it has been a long road to get him to this point. He just received his adult high school diploma.

He is not sure what he wants to take, but is looking in the automotive field. He is a very hands on person. We have started the application process and he went today to take the Compass Test. He was told he failed each section of the test by 2 points and was told to return Wednesday to re-take it.

I was under the imrpression this was a placement test that you take once and if you need remediation classes, this test would tell them that. Has anyone had experience taking the Compass more than once?

He is freaking out a bit as he really wanted this, but it seems he might not be able to pass this test to get into college. Pretty sad that the adult high school classes he just took at this same college did not prepare him enough to pass this test.

 

[Hannathy]

I don't know anything about the compass test but just wanted to say if he is interested in automotive field what kind of college is this?

Is it a Tech school or community college? I would think this would be a great kind of school to get started at or even stay at especially for automotive.

At our Technical college you can get into certificate type programs that don't require the English and a lot of the other General Ed requirements that a Bach. or an Associates degree would. And lead to some goood jobs.

Tell him not to be discouraged there is a place for everyone who wants to learn you just have to find the fit. And he just may be rusty at taking tests after being out of school.

 

[NotUrsula]

The Compass is an online exam that is widely used by community colleges and tech schools for class placement. Most schools will say that you cannot "fail" it, but I guess that it depends upon how many remedial-level classes that they have available -- if you cannot get a high enough score to enroll, then I suppose that someone could consider that failing.

If he's 20, he probably hasn't touched much academic work in a full two years, and that would make anyone rusty. There are study guides out there for the Compass; I'd recommend that he get access to them and do a fair amount of practice work before taking it again.

 

[daughtersrus]

Hi guys,

My DS20 has decided to enroll in college, it has been a long road to get him to this point. He just received his adult high school diploma.

He is not sure what he wants to take, but is looking in the automotive field. He is a very hands on person. We have started the application process and he went today to take the Compass Test. He was told he failed each section of the test by 2 points and was told to return Wednesday to re-take it.

I was under the imrpression this was a placement test that you take once and if you need remediation classes, this test would tell them that. Has anyone had experience taking the Compass more than once?

He is freaking out a bit as he really wanted this, but it seems he might not be able to pass this test to get into college. Pretty sad that the adult high school classes he just took at this same college did not prepare him enough to pass this test.

The community colleges that my DDs and DN went to also used the compass test for placement. My DDs passed and went right into "100" level classes. My DN did not pass the math portion after taking it twice and had to enroll in "000" level classes. These classes did not count towards his AA but still cost quite a bit of money.

My DH has been an auto tech at a dealer for over 25years. When he started out, he went to CC but got a "certificate" and not an AA because he only took the auto classes. Now days, most of the guys that are trying to get into the field have gone to a Lincoln Tech type school. I'm not sure how it is where you are but it's hard here right now. This is the first time in a long time that DH is worried about being laid off even with 25 years of seniority. They haven't moved a quick lube guy up to apprentice or an apprentice up to journeyman in over 10 years. I don't want to discourage you or your son but just thought I'd let you know what's going on here.

I'd call the college and see what their policy is. If he can only take it twice, it's probably worth studying up a bit before retaking it.

 

[minkydog]

DS24 also took the Compass math portion twice. I don't think the issue was failing the Compass as much as trying to figure out which remedial math to put him in. Oh, and congratulations to your son for getting his GED and going on to tech school.

 

[LisaR]

I am just guessing but I think that since he is only two points away from regular level classes, they want him to retake it and see if he can place into those classes. If he would have scored 25 points lower, there would be no question that he needed remedial classes. I look at it like they are giving him a chance to go right into regular classes if he can just pull his score up 2 more points. Of course, maybe I am wrong.

 

[luvthatdisney]

Thanks guys!

Just to clarify a bit...he is wanting to get into the automotive field. Not necessarily as a mechanic. He wants to do paint and body work, but would also like to have an AA degree. I have not been able to find a technical college that would train for this in our area, so he is going the community college route. I think he would make a great graphic designer (very artisically inclined) but he loves cars, but only wants to go the 2 year level (not a 4 year college).

Also, he did not get a GED, it is an actual high school diploma (it looks just like mine - except is states "adult high school" instead of "high school"). He just finished classes in August, so he has not been out of school for an extended period.

I did look at his results a few minutes ago and as a PP said, he did miss making 100 classes by a few points so I assume he did pretty well and they are hoping he can bring up the scores a little. I hope he can so he will avoid the remedial classes.

I am going to have him look into a certificate program or diploma program and maybe he can get done sooner and start working in his desired field quicker. He has not met with an advisor yet (that is the next step after orientation).

Thanks for all of your comments - it really helped explain things.