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Home Page > Academics > Academic Affairs > Academic Evaluation and Assessment > Placement Policy for Math and English
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Assessment of Entering Students for Math and English Placement
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Entering students who have not taken the ACT Assessment or SAT I test in the past five years must take placement examinations to determine the math and English courses appropriate for their skill level. Transferring students who have not completed a college-level math or English course will be placed into the appropriate level of SDSU math and English courses through one of two mechanisms:
1) ACT or SAT I sub-scores if taken within the past five years OR
2) ACT COMPASS computer-based writing skills, math, and reading assessment.
COMPASS may be used as a challenge to placement; however, there is a $16.45 challenge fee that must be paid prior to testing.
There is no fee for COMPASS if the testing is a requirement for the Board of Regents. This includes placement into higher-level math courses with an ACT Math sub-score of 25 or higher or old, invalid or no ACT scores.
Since students are only allowed one challenge by the COMPASS test, review of the subject should be done prior to testing. Sample questions for the COMPASS examination can be found on ACT's website at:
ACT COMPASS sample questions
Additional sites that may be helpful in finding additional sample questions are:
ACT Assessment sample questions
ACT CAAP sample questions
A photo ID is required for testing. Students are encouraged to bring their own calculator for the math portion of the examination; however, there is a calculator built into the COMPASS software. Acceptable calculators for ACT/COMPASS testing.
COMPASS is a computer-based adaptive assessment program using modules that are self-paced allowing students to work at their own speed and comfort level. A tutorial program acquaints students with navigation and response patterns. The COMPASS Test does not have a time limit, the scores do not affect admission to SDSU, and there is no pass or fail score. Most students take about 30 minutes per section; the questions vary based on responses to previous questions.
For test scheduling, contact the Academic Evaluation and Assessment Office at 605-688-4217.
Since the ACT COMPASS test is a national test, it can be taken anywhere in the United States. |
COMPASS testing sights in the United States
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| Students are allowed only one challenge opportunity to take the COMPASS test:
1) Students may choose to challenge their ACT Assessment or SAT I sub-score placement by taking the COMPASS examination after paying the challenge fee.
2) Students that have taken the COMPASS test because of old, invalid, or no ACT Assessment or SAT I scores may challenge that placement by taking the COMPASS examination a second time and paying the challenge fee.
Students who are not enrolled in the appropriate courses based on ACT, SAT I, or COMPASS scores will be notified by telephone, letter, and/or instructor contact through the Math and English Departments. Failure to adjust courses or take the COMPASS test prior to the add/drop date for the semester will result in the student being administratively dropped from math and/or English courses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Math and English Placement Testing
Q. What is COMPASS Testing?
A. COMPASS is a computer-based placement test written by the same company that writes the ACT Assessment Test for college admission. The COMPASS examination is an adaptive program that is self-paced allowing students to work at their own speed and comfort level. There is no time limit, the scores do not affect admission to SDSU, and there is no pass or fail score. Since the two exams can be compared, the Board of Regents chose COMPASS to assess current skills in math and English.
Q. How much does the COMPASS test cost?
A. Students may challenge their initial placement one time by paying a challenge fee and taking the COMPASS test.
Q. How long does the COMPASS Test take?
A. Most students take about 30 minutes per section; the questions are adjusted to the ability level indicated by the responses to the previous questions.
Q. What is SDSU's accountability to placement testing?
A. SDSU is mandated by the South Dakota Board of Regents to place all students into their entry-level math and English courses by ACT and COMPASS scores. A student must have valid ACT or SAT I sub-scores OR COMPASS scores that place them in the appropriate level course OR an exception (permission) to be in a different course.
Q. What if a student has no ACT or SAT I scores or the scores are over 5 years old?
A. Students that have no ACT or SAT I scores (or scores are over 5 years old) and have no transfer of English 101 or College Algebra (Math 102) or higher are required to take the English, Math, and Reading portions of the COMPASS exam at no cost. Basic Algebra or Intermediate Algebra courses transferring to SDSU from a non-regental school are subject to this placement policy.
Q. How do transfer students fit into this policy?
A. Students transferring English 101 and College Algebra (Math 102) to SDSU are not required to take the COMPASS examination. However, if they will be taking English 101 and/or entry-level math courses at SDSU, they must follow the placement rules: Placement by ACT or SAT I sub-scores, followed by placement with COMPASS.
Q. What will happen if the student is in the wrong course?
A. Students who are not enrolled in the appropriate courses based on ACT, SAT I, or COMPASS scores will be notified by telephone, letter, and/or instructor contact by the Math and English Departments. Failure to adjust courses, take the COMPASS test, or apply for an exception prior to the add/drop date for the semester will result in the student being administratively dropped from math and/or English courses.
Q. What is an exception?
A. An exception is a permission form for the student to be enrolled in a course different than their placement indicates. The student begins this process by contacting the Math or English Department representatives. Exception forms must have final approval by the Vice President for Academic Affairs prior to course alterations.
Q. What if a student wants to take a math course lower than their placement?
A. Students may take a lower-level math course, if desired. However, they should to talk to an advisor before doing so.
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