COMPASS Mathematics Test Information Page

At Waycross College, a score of 37 on the mathematics portion of the exam is required in order to exempt Learning Support Math. If you are close, you may contact student services and pay for a second attempt. If you placed in Math 0097 but believe you can handle Math 0099, contact a math faculty member to take the written test and be evaluated for advanced placement.

If you missed that goal, you will need to take your required learning support math courses and then earn a score of 37 on the COMPASS to exit learning support. A calculator (scientific or graphing) is allowed. Students placed in learning support passing MATH0099 with a C or better will be eligible to take the COMPASS on Final Exam Day. NOTE: Students earning a B or better in MATH0099 will have a second attempt to take the COMPASS exam if they fail on the first attempt.

The Algebra Placement Test comprises topics from three major mathematics curricular areas, as follows:

Curricular Area Content Area Percentage of Items

Elementary Algebra 57

Substituting values into algebraic equations 7

Setting up equations for given situations 7

Basic operations with polynomials 7

Factoring of polynomials 7

Solving polynomial equations by factoring 3

Formula manipulation and field axioms 2

Linear equations in one variable 16

Exponents and radicals 5

Linear inequalities in one variable 1

Intermediate Algebra 15

Rational expressions 7

Exponents and radicals 5

Systems of linear equations in two variables 2

Quadratic formulas <1

Absolute value equations and inequalities <1

Coordinate Geometry 27

Linear equations in two variables 13

Distance formulas in the plane 3

Graphing conics (circle, parabola, etc.) 3

Graphing parallel and perpendicular lines 2

Graphing relations in the plane 4

Graphing systems of equations and rational functions 1

Midpoint Formula <1

Need some practice?

A COMPASS testing book is available in the ASC and for sale in the bookstore.
The ACT (folks who wrote the test) offer a few sample problems at http://www.act.org/compass/sample/algebra.html>
Find help by topic areas (look at the list in the table above) at Math.com and at MathGoodies.com
Need a quick review of algebra facts? Try Algebra Facts: Survival Guide to Basic Algebra.
Floyd College has developed some practice tests. Click for pdf copies: Worksheet A, Worksheet B, Worksheet C

Need information about the COMPASS? Go to the source--the ACT COMPASS information page. (ACT is the designer of this test.) You will be taking the ALGEBRA form of the mathematics placement test.

Curricular Area	Content Area	Percentage of Items
Elementary Algebra		57
	Substituting values into algebraic equations	7
	Setting up equations for given situations	7
	Basic operations with polynomials	7
	Factoring of polynomials	7
	Solving polynomial equations by factoring	3
	Formula manipulation and field axioms	2
	Linear equations in one variable	16
	Exponents and radicals	5
	Linear inequalities in one variable	1
Intermediate Algebra		15
	Rational expressions	7
	Exponents and radicals	5
	Systems of linear equations in two variables	2
	Quadratic formulas	<1
	Absolute value equations and inequalities	<1
Coordinate Geometry		27
	Linear equations in two variables	13
	Distance formulas in the plane	3
	Graphing conics (circle, parabola, etc.)	3
	Graphing parallel and perpendicular lines	2
	Graphing relations in the plane	4
	Graphing systems of equations and rational functions	1
	Midpoint Formula	<1