Students enrolling in Rockingham Community College enter with a variety of skills and
academic backgrounds. In an effort to make sure that you begin in the right classes to
maximize your success, we require a placement test to evaluate your basic math, reading
and writing skills before you enroll.
WHO: All degree or diploma seeking,
first time college students; special credit or dual enrolled students taking a class for
which there is a reading, math, or English pre-requisite; students pursuing a certificate
in health care technology or phlebotomy take the placement test. If you have taken the
COMPASS or ASSET here or at another college within the past three years, we can use
those scores, if you wish. If you have SAT scores, you may be exempt from the placement
test. A score of 500+ will exempt you from the reading and writing placements, and a math
score of 500+ will exempt you from the math placement test. However, this will only place
you in the lowest level of credit math, if you wish to try to place higher, you will need
to take COMPASS.
WHAT: COMPASS is the computerized,
adaptive placement test from ACT (American College Testing).
WHERE: The testing center is located on
the second floor of the Gerald B.
James Library in Room 202. An elevator is available, and handicapped parking is
located behind the library. After you complete your test, you will take a copy of your
results to Student Services, located in the Whitcomb Student Center. There you will meet
individually with a counselor to review your results and develop your academic plan.
Parking is available in any of the student lots. A temporary parking permit is available
from the information desk in the upstairs lobby of Whitcomb Student Center.
WHY: Rockingham Community College makes
every effort to ensure that you have the tools you need to succeed. Placement testing
helps determine where you start, not if you start. We want to know what
skills (e.g. fractions, reading comprehension) you currently have. Once the placement test
identifies those skills you have, you will begin in the classes where you have the best
chance of success. If you need to review certain skills before beginning college level
courses, these classes are available.
WHEN: The placement tests are given each
Wednesday that the college is open and additional times during registration. Since it is
untimed, you may begin any time after 8:30 in the morning but no later than 6:30 in the
evening. Counselors are only available until 8:00 p.m., so if you begin after 6:00 p.m.
you may have to make an appointment to come back to review your results. You do not need
an appointment to test on Wednesdays. If you are unable to come any Wednesday contact
LaVonne James for an appointment at 336.342.4261 ext. 2243 . Plan on approximately two
hours to take the test and to discuss the results with a counselor. Remember, however, you
may take as long as you need. If you have a documented disability, please contact the
Testing Center in advance so that appropriate accommodations may be provided.
HOW: Although COMPASS is a computerized
placement test, you can do it, even if you have never touched a keyboard before. There are
directions and practice sessions, a help screen and a proctor who is available to answer
your questions. Paper and pencil are provided for working the math problems, and an
on-screen calculator is available. Since COMPASS is untimed, you have the option of
completing different test sections at different times/days if your schedule requires it.
There is no penalty for guessing. Results are immediately available for discussion with a
counselor. A math review sheet is available from Student Services or http://www.rockinghamcc.edu/mathscience/mathrecall.htm.
COMPASS sample items are available for your review at http://www.act.org/compass/sample/index.html.
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